Effect of Metatarsal Pads and Their Positioning: A Quantitative Assessment

Abstract

Many conditions of the foot have been related to pressure maldistribution. Alteration of plantar pressure through improvements of shoe fit, orthoses, and surgery are presumed to correct pressure maldistribution. We evaluated 10 volunteers with normal, asymptomatic feet. With the use of an ultrathin in-shoe sensor, plantar pressures were measured within the shoe at the shoe/foot interface. Test conditions included three pad types: large foam, large felt, and small felt. They were evaluated in three positions: normal (at the metatarsal head base) and 5 mm proximal and 5 mm distal to the normal position. When compared with the control condition without the pad, each pad type and position caused a variable effect upon plantar pressure. On average, the small felt pad caused the greatest and most consistent decrease in pressure at the metatarsal heads (19.15%). Distal positioning tended to cause the greatest decreases in pressure for all pad types. A pad type and position was found to decrease metatarsal pad pressure in each subject. Metatarsal pads can effectively decrease plantar pressures within the shoe.

Plantar pressure relief under the metatarsal heads – Therapeutic insole design using three-dimensional finite element model of the foot

“…As shown in plantar pressure distributions, the most effective MP is the proximally-placed one, which supports the clinical tradition of positioning the MP proximal to the MTHs (Chang et al, 1994;Hayda et al, 1994;Hsi et al, 2005). Our strain analysis further revealed that the proximally-positioned MP causes a most smooth compressive strain distribution of the soft tissues under the metatarsal shaft (Fig.…”

A Comparison of Metatarsal Pads on Pressure Redistribution in High Heeled Shoes

“…The results of the peak pressure on the forefoot are in agreement with previous studies (Lee et al, 2004;Holmes and Timmerman, 1990;Hayda et al, 1994) and prove that metatarsal pads could help foot problems caused by high peak pressures. Material property affects the capability to absorb pressure.…”

“…In general, a few factors have been considered, including shape, material and thickness. Different shapes have been evaluated, such as those of custom-made insoles (Bus et al, 2004;Cheung & Zhang, 2008), total contact inserts (Chen et Hayda et al, 1994), arch pads (Ashry et al, 1997) and heel cups (Lee & Hong, 2005). Cheung & Zhang (2008) found that custom-made support is more effective, but might be highly individualized with the differences in foot structure.…”

Correlations between subjective treatment responses and plantar pressure parameters of metatarsal pad treatment in metatarsalgia patients: a prospective study

“…Hayda et al and Holmes et al showed that MP placement can effectively reduce pressure under the MH in healthy subjects [6,7]. Our previous study demonstrated the distribution pattern of plantar pressure under the MH in healthy and metatarsalgia subjects.…”