Multistep Measurement of Plantar Pressure Alterations Using Metatarsal Pads

Authors

An-Hsiung Chang, Medical College of Wisconsin
Ziad U. Abu-Faraj, Marquette University
Gerald F. Harris, Marquette UniversityFollow
Joe Nery, Medical College of Wisconsin
Michael J. Shereff, Medical College of Wisconsin

Document Type

Article

Language

eng

Format of Original

3 p.

Publication Date

12-1986

Publisher

SAGE Publications

Source Publication

Foot & Ankle International

Source ISSN

1071-1007

Original Item ID

doi: 10.1177/107110079401501205

Abstract

Metatarsal pads are frequently prescribed for nonoperative management of metatarsalgia due to various etiologies. When appropriately placed, they are effective in reducing pressures under the metatarsal heads on the plantar surface of the foot. Despite the positive clinical reports that have been cited, there are no quantitative studies documenting the load redistribution effects of these pads during multiple step usage within the shoe environment. The objective of this study was to assess changes in plantar pressure metrics resulting from pad use. Ten normal adult male subjects were tested during a series of 400-step trials. Pressures were recorded from eight discrete plantar locations at the hindfoot, midfoot, and forefoot regions of the insole. Significant increases in peak pressures, contact durations, and pressure-time integrals were noted at the metatarsal shaft region with pad use (P ≤ .05). Statistically significant changes in metric values were not seen at the other plantar locations, although metatarsal pad use resulted in mild decreases in mean peak pressures at the first and second metatarsal heads and slight increases laterally. Contact durations decreased at all metatarsal head locations, while pressure-time integrals decreased at the first, second, third, and fourth metatarsal heads. A slight increase in pressure-time integrals was seen at the fifth metatarsal head. The redistribution of plantar pressures tended to relate not only to the dimensions of the metatarsal pads, but also to foot size, anatomic foot configuration, and pad location. Knowledge of these parameters, along with careful control of pad dimensions and placement, allows use of the metatarsal pad as an effective orthotic device for redistributing forefoot plantar pressures.

Comments

Accepted version. Foot & Ankle International, Vol. 14, No. 6 (December 1986): 317-319. DOI. © 1986 SAGE Publication. Used with permission.

Recommended Citation

Chang, An-Hsiung; Abu-Faraj, Ziad U.; Harris, Gerald F.; Nery, Joe; and Shereff, Michael J., "Multistep Measurement of Plantar Pressure Alterations Using Metatarsal Pads" (1986). Biomedical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications. 342.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/bioengin_fac/342