Biomedical Engineering and Bioengineering Commons^™

Multistep Measurement Of Plantar Pressure Alterations Using Metatarsal Pads, An-Hsiung Chang, Ziad U. Abu-Faraj, Gerald F. Harris, Joe Nery, Michael J. Shereff

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

Metatarsal pads are frequently prescribed for nonoperative management of metatarsalgia due to various etiologies. When appropriately placed, they are effective in reducing pressures under the metatarsal heads on the plantar surface of the foot. Despite the positive clinical reports that have been cited, there are no quantitative studies documenting the load redistribution effects of these pads during multiple step usage within the shoe environment. The objective of this study was to assess changes in plantar pressure metrics resulting from pad use. Ten normal adult male subjects were tested during a series of 400-step trials. Pressures were recorded from eight discrete …