Limited information is available for the selection of inshoe orthotic materials for therapeutic footwear. Previous laboratory bench studies have examined various materials under rapid high-impact loading, simulating heelstrike during walking and running (Pratt et al., 1986, Shiba et al., 1995). The diabetic forefoot, where problems such as plantar ulceration occurs most often, is better modeled quasi-statically or at very low rates of loading (Cavanagh and Ulbrecht, 1992, McPil and Cornwall, 1992). This study considered five commonly used single density polymer foam materials used in therapeutic footwear by foot care specialists. The selected materials were tested under simulated walking conditions found in the forefoot of diabetic patients. materials were evaluated and compared with regard to their stress/strain properties and their dynamic compression set (DCS).
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