Effects of flexible and rigid rocker profiles on in-shoe pressure

摘要

Highlights ? Plantar pressures for MTH2-5 were reduced in both rigid and flexible rockers. ? Plantar pressures for MTH1 showed hardly any change for rockers versus control. ? Plantar pressures for the first toe were increased in rigid and flexible rockers. ? For MTH2-5, pressures were more reduced in rigid rockers. ? Flexible rockers resulted in lower pressures than rigid for the first toe. Abstract Rocker profiles are commonly used in the prevention of diabetic foot ulcers. Rockers are mostly stiffened to restrict toe plantarflexion to ensure proper offloading. It is also described that toe dorsiflexion should be restricted. However, the difference in effect on plantar pressure between rigid rockers that restrict this motion and flexible rockers that do not is unknown. In-shoe plantar pressure data were collected for a control shoe and the same shoe with rigid and flexible rockers with the apex positioned at 50% and 60%. For 29 healthy female adults peak plantar pressure (PP), maximum mean pressure (MMP) and force-time integral (FTI) were determined for seven regions of the foot. Generalized estimate equation was used to analyse the effect of the different shoes on the outcome measures for these regions. Compared to the control shoe a significant increase of PP and FTI was found at the first toe for both rigid rockers and the flexible rocker with the apex positioned at 60%, while MMP was significantly increased in rockers with an apex position of 60% (p