The Effect of Metatarsal Pad for Foot Pressure

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To compare the foot pressure of the insole with medial longitudinal arch support and metatarsal pad and insole with medial longitudinal arch support only. METHOD: Thirty three normal subjects participated in this study. Insole were fabricated by Hana-meditec company after shaping the subjects' foot. The left insole had only medial longitudinal arch support and right insole had medial longitudinal arch support with metatarsal pad. Bare foot pressure were measured by EMED system(r) during comfortable gait. Shoes were manufactured by Osan University. Foot pressure in the shoes was measured by PEDAR system(R) during comfortable gait. Plantar pressure were analyzed by PEDAR C-expert program at T0 (whole foot), M1 (heel), M2 (midfoot), M3 (1st and 2nd metatarsal area), M4 (3rd, 4th and 5th metatarsal area), M5 (great toe), M6 (2nd and 3rd toes area), and M7 (4th and 5th toes area) zone. RESULTS: Right bare foot plantar peak pressure was identical with left side. Right plantar peak pressure with metatarsal pad in shoes was lower than left side with medial longitudinal arch support only at M1, M2 and M4 zone. CONCLUSION: For reducing the plantar peak pressure, the insole with medial longitudinal arch support and metatarsal pad were better than the insole with medial longitudinal arch support only.