Abstract
Biomechanical foot orthoses (or foot wedges) are commonly used in clinical practice. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of foot wedges on plantar pressure during normal gait.
Thirty normal adult subjects (11 men, 19 women; mean age = 25.2 years, range = 18–36 years) walked along a floor-mounted wooden walkway incorporating the Musgrave™ pressure plate under six testing conditions : (1) barefoot; (2) tubigrip stocking; (3) tubigrip stocking and medial forefoot wedge; (4) tubigrip stocking and lateral forefoot wedge; (5) tubigrip stocking and medial heel wedge; and (6) tubigrip stocking and lateral heel wedge. Pelite™ foot wedges were placed underfoot inside the tubigrip stocking.
Recorded footprints were divided into four quadrants (anteromedial (AMQ), anterolateral (ALQ), posteromedial (PMQ), and posterolateral (PLQ)). Statistical analysis of quadrant plantar pressures, anterior-posterior plantar pressure ratios, medial-lateral plantar pressure ratios and mean centre of pressure to mid-axis distances was performed using the paired t-test.
Forefoot wedges caused earlier forefoot loading (p< 0.05). They increased anterior-posterior plantar pressure distribution (p< 0.001): medial wedges increased AMQ plantar pressure (p< 0.001) and decreased PLQ plantar pressure (p< 0.01); lateral wedges increased ALQ plantar pressure (p< 0.001) and decreased PLQ plantar pressure (p< 0.01).
Heel wedges delayed forefoot loading (p< 0.02). They decreased anterior-posterior plantar pressure distribution (p< 0.05): medial wedges decreased ALQ plantar pressure (p< 0.01); lateral wedges decreased ALQ plantar pressure (p< 0.01) and increased PLQ plantar pressure (p< 0.001).
Foot wedges did not significantly affect medial-lateral plantar pressure distribution.
We conclude that foot wedges do affect plantar pressure in those with normal feet and normal gait. Foot wedges affected anteroposterior plantar pressure distribution but did not affect mediolateral plantar pressure distribution.
The abstracts were prepared by Mr Richard Buxton. Correspondence should be addressed to him at Bankton Cottage, 21 Bankton Park, Kingskettle, Cupar, Fife KY15 7PY, United Kingdom
