title: Effect of a forefoot off-loading postoperative shoe on muscle activity, posture, and static balance.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We investigated whether a forefoot off-loading postoperative shoe (FOPS) alters standing posture, ankle muscle activity, and static postural sway and whether any effects are altered by wearing a shoe raise on the contralateral side.
  
  
  METHODS
  Posture, ankle muscle activity, and postural sway were compared in 14 healthy participants wearing either a FOPS or a control shoe with or without a contralateral shoe raise. Participants were tested under different sensory and support surface conditions. Additionally, reductions in peak pressure under the forefoot while walking were assessed with and without a contralateral shoe raise to determine whether the FOPS continued to achieve its primary off-loading function.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared with the control condition, wearing a FOPS moved the center of pressure posteriorly, increased tibialis anterior muscle activity, and reduced ankle plantarflexor activity. These changes decreased when a contralateral shoe raise was added. No difference in postural sway was found between footwear conditions. Forefoot peak pressure was always reduced when wearing the FOPS.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The posterior shift in center of pressure toward and behind the ankle joint axis is believed to result in the increase in tibialis anterior muscle activity that now acts as the primary stabilizer around the ankle. Instability may, therefore, increase in patients with weak tibialis anterior muscles (eg, diabetic neuropathy) who need to wear offloading devices for ulcer management. We suggest that the addition of a contralateral shoe raise fitted with a FOPS may potentially be beneficial in maintaining stability while off-loading the forefoot in this patient group.
authors: School of Health Professions, Faculty of Health, Education, and Society, Plymouth University, Plymouth, England.
authors: Joanne S
authors: JS
authors: Paton
authors: Katherine
authors: K
authors: Thomason
authors: Karl
authors: K
authors: Trimble
authors: James E
authors: JE
authors: Metcalfe
authors: Jonathan
authors: J
authors: Marsden
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D005545:Forefoot, Human / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology*; D012775:Shoes; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*