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.
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.
Authors: Stephen J Preece; Jonathan D Chapman; Bjoern Braunstein; Gert-Peter Brüggemann; Christopher J Nester Journal: J Foot Ankle Res Date: 2017-07-06 Impact factor: 2.303
Authors: Hylton B Menz; Maria Auhl; Jade M Tan; Pazit Levinger; Edward Roddy; Shannon E Munteanu Journal: Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken) Date: 2016-05 Impact factor: 4.794