RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To determine the most effective type of rigid rocker bottom for prevention of diabetic foot complications according to the different rocker angles and axes of diabetic shoes. METHOD: Thirteen healthy volunteers participated in this study and the plantar peak pressure and pressure time integrals were measured by insole plantar pressure system for subjects either barefoot and wearing rigid rocker shoes with 12 kinds of different rocking angles and rocking points (15, 20, 25, 30degrees and 60, 65, 70% of shoe length). Evaluation was analyzed at M1 (hindfoot), M2 (midfoot), M3 (medial forefoot area), M4 (central forefoot area), M5 (lateral forefoot area), M6 (1st toe area), M7 (lesser toes area) zones respectively. RESULTS: Reduced pressure was observed in all kinds of rockers at central-metatarsal area (p<0.05). But pressure was not significantly changed at lateral metatarsal area in almost all types of rocker. With rocking point at 65 and 70%, pressure was increased at first and lesser toe area in all rocking angles. With rocking point at 60 and 70%, pressure was increased at midfoot area. CONCLUSION: Most effectively reduced pressure was observed with shoe of rocking point at 65% and rocking angle 30degress.