[Influence of postoperative shoes on plantar pressure patterns].
OBJECTIVE
There are several different types of shoe devices in the postoperative treatment of forefoot surgery. They all have the aim to unload the operated region. Examples for forefoot surgery are hallux valgus operations or correction of claw toes. The aim of this study was to compare a special forefoot shoe (Darco's Ortho Wedge) with a lengthwise and crosswise prepared postoperative shoe (Darco's Medical Surgical).


METHODS
Plantar pressure distribution measurements were used to evaluate the unloading effect of the shoe conditions. The pressure in a standard shoe (Nike's Air Triax) was measured for further comparison.


RESULTS
The results demonstrate that all analyzed shoes relieve weight under the medial forefoot region. The lengthwise prepared Medical Surgical achieves the highest pressure reduction under the medial forefoot, but the midfoot and the lateral forefoot are subjected to significantly higher loads. The Ortho Wedge reduces the load under the toes and the forefoot and relieves the midfoot region. The pressure is redistributed under the hindfoot. The crosswise prepared Medical Surgical also relieves pressure under the forefoot but not to the same extent as the Ortho Wedge.


CONCLUSIONS
In conclusion it can be stated that the Ortho Wedge shows the best results of the tested shoes for pressure relief and load transfer under the forefoot.
Lorei
T
T
Klinik für Allgemeine Orthopädie, Funktionsbereich Bewegungsanalytik, Universitätsklinikum Münster.
Klärner
H
H
Rosenbaum
D
D
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D005260:Female; D005528:Foot / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009989:Orthotic Devices; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000295:instrumentation*; D011312:Pressure; D012775:Shoes; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*; D016474:Weight-Bearing / Q000502:physiology*