title: Metatarsal bars more effective than metatarsal pads in reducing impulse on the second metatarsal head.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The second metatarsal head is commonly involved in cases of metatarsalgia. As part of the conservative treatment, metatarsal bars and metatarsal pads are often prescribed.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To compare the effectiveness of metatarsal bars and metatarsal pads in reducing impulse on the second metatarsal head.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-five healthy subjects were monitored with an insole scanning system during walking in four different conditions: (a) wearing shoes only, (b) shoes plus metatarsal pads and shoes plus metatarsal bars, placed either (c) perpendicular to the foot axis or (d) oblique to the foot axis. The impulse under the second metatarsal head was measured using the first condition as a control. Both feet were examined in each subject resulting in a total of 840 measurements.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both metatarsal bars and metatarsal pads were effective in reducing impulse when compared with the control (P<0.01). Metatarsal bars were found to be more effective in reducing impulse as compared to the metatarsal pads (P<0.01), and the oblique position of the bars was more effective than the perpendicular one (P<0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The greatest reduction of impulse on the second metatarsal head in healthy subjects is achieved with the use of metatarsal bars in an oblique position.
authors.affiliation: University of Sherbrooke Hospitals, Orthopaedic Service, CHUS-Hôtel Dieu, 580, rue Bowen sud, Sherbrooke, Québec J1G 2E8, Canada.
authors.forename: Annie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Deshaies
authors.forename: Patrice
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Roy
authors.forename: Panagiotis D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Symeonidis
authors.forename: Bernard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: LaRue
authors.forename: Norman
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Murphy
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Anctil
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008682:Metatarsal Bones; D037061:Metatarsalgia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009989:Orthotic Devices; D012775:Shoes; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016138:Walking; D055815:Young Adult