Objective:

For treatment of the metatarsal overload condition, plantar supports of different materials in order to reduce plantar pressures which occur in this region during the gait period propulsive are used. The purpose of this study has to determine the changes of plantar pressure under the metatarsal heads using as metatarsal cushioning soles of the following materials: Pedilastik®, Poron Medical®, Jogtene® y Confortene®, habitually in the conservative treatment orthopodiatric of the metatarsal overload.

Method:

The values of maximum pressure of the metatarsal heads were obtained in dynamics conditions, using the Rs-Scan Insole System® inside the shoe. Measurements were taken without any cushioning insole, and using insoles of different materials. The sample used for this study was a set of 16 feet.

Results:

The majority of the variables of plantar pressure experienced a slight increase in their values with the application of different insoles, with all the materials used in the present study. Thus, although no significant differences (P > .05) during the propulsive phase were found with respect to the control group, neither in the maximum pressure at each metatarsal head (except for 5th) nor in the maximum plantar pressure at forefoot area, the results found have shown that no decrease in the values of the plantar pressures was reached with the use of the different materials tested in this study.

Conclusions:

The use of pads with the traditional materials used in the present study has a slight negative effect on the Maximum plantar pressure at the metatarsal heads and the maximum plantar pressure at the forefoot area during the propulsive phase.