Effect of rocker soles on plantar pressures. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2004 Jan;85(1):81-6
Date
02/19/2004Pubmed ID
14970973DOI
10.1016/s0003-9993(03)00374-5Scopus ID
2-s2.0-0347359311 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 88 CitationsAbstract
OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of different types of rocker soles on plantar pressures.
DESIGN: In-shoe plantar pressures were measured in subjects without deformity with baseline shoes and 3 types of rockers: toe-only, negative heel, and double.
SETTING: Medical college.
PARTICIPANTS: Forty healthy patients (20 men, 20 women) without foot deformity.
INTERVENTIONS: Plantar pressures were recorded over a 2 1/2-hour test period with over 400 steps analyzed for each type of rocker sole. Peak pressures, pressure-time integral (PTI), and sensor contact duration were computed for each step.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Peak plantar pressure PTI, and contact duration were compared for each rocker with a baseline shoe.
RESULTS: Significant reduction (P<.01) in peak pressure and PTI were recorded across the forefoot for all 3 rockers. The reduction of pressure at the forefoot was balanced by shifting pressure to the midfoot with the negative heel and toe-only rockers.
CONCLUSION: This study lends scientific credence to the prescription of rocker soles for patients who need forefoot pressure reduction, such as in diabetic neuropathy and possible ulceration.
Author List
Brown D, Wertsch JJ, Harris GF, Klein J, Janisse DAuthor
Gerald Harris PhD Director in the Orthopaedic Research Engineering Center (OREC) department at Marquette UniversityMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
Diabetic NeuropathiesFemale
Foot
Humans
Male
Pressure
Shoes
