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. 2022 Dec;14(4):622-630.
doi: 10.4055/cios20280. Epub 2022 Oct 5.

Pressure Properties of Three Different Types of Prefabricated Insoles Related to Plantar Pressure in Asymptomatic Men

Yun Jae Cho  1 , Dong Hyun Lee  2 , Ho Won Kang  2 , Dae-Yoo Kim  3 , Dong Oh Lee  2 , Dong Yeon Lee  2
Affiliations

Pressure Properties of Three Different Types of Prefabricated Insoles Related to Plantar Pressure in Asymptomatic Men

Yun Jae Cho et al. Clin Orthop Surg. 2022 Dec.

Abstract

Background: In clinical fields, many types of insoles are used to not only realign movement patterns, but also treat pressure-related foot diseases. However, the characteristics of and plantar pressure in each type of insole are still unclear. Therefore, the aim of this study was to validate the plantar pressure-relieving effect of three representative types of insoles (metatarsal padding insole [MPI], lateral heel wedge insole [LHI], and arch support insole [ASI]) in asymptomatic men.

Methods: A total of 35 feet of 35 asymptomatic men with a mean age of 23.4 ± 2.0 years were included. Pedobarographic data were evaluated by dividing the foot into eight designated regions to compare the three types of insoles. Peak plantar pressure (PPP) and pressure time integral (PTI) were assessed using the Pedar-X system. A repeated measures analysis of variance was used for statistical analyses.

Results: In the hallux region, there was no statistically significant difference. MPI showed highest pressure in the 2nd-5th toe and midfoot region, but lowest in the central and lateral forefoot regions. Meanwhile, ASI showed highest pressure in the medial forefoot region but lowest in the lateral heel region. Lastly, pressure in the lateral heel region was highest in LHI. Overall, results of PTI were similar to those of PPP.

Conclusions: This study demonstrated that the three types of insole each could reduce and redistribute pressure of specific part of the foot to help select an appropriate insole for each purpose.

Keywords: Foot; Insole; Pressure.

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Conflict of interest statement

CONFLICT OF INTEREST: No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1. Designs of prefabricated insoles used in this study. Three types of prefabricated insoles were made in three sizes (270 mm, 275 mm, and 280 mm). (A) Metatarsal padding insole. (B) Lateral heel wedge insole. (C) Arch support insole. Post: posterior, Med: medial, Ant: anterior, Lat: lateral, Sup: superior, Inf: inferior.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2. Plantar masking selected for pressure analyses (modified 8 mask region). (A) Hallux. (B) Second-fifth toes. (C) Medial forefoot. (D) Central forefoot. (E) Lateral forefoot. (F) Midfoot. (G) Medial heel. (H) Lateral heel.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3. Representative pedobarographic isobar images of the three different types of insoles. In metatarsal padding insole (MPI), the forefoot region showed relatively lower pressure than any other types of insoles. In lateral heel wedge insole (LHI), the medial forefoot, central forefoot, and lateral heel regions showed relatively higher pressure. In arch support insole (ASI), the mid region showed relatively higher pressure and increased contact size than any other types of insoles. CI: control insole.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4. Comparison of peak plantar pressure (PPP, kPa) and pressure time integral (PTI, kPa × sec) among the three different types of insoles. In the hallux (A) and second-fifth toes (B), both PPP and PTI were the highest with the metatarsal padding insole (MPI). (C) In the medial forefoot (mFF), the arch support insole (ASI) showed higher PPP and PTI than MPI and control insole (CI). (D) In the central forefoot (cFF), MPI showed lowest PPP and PTI. (E) In the lateral forefoot (lFF), MPI showed the lowest PPP and PTI. (F) In the midfoot (mid), PPP and PTI were the highest in MPI, followed by ASI, lateral heel wedge insole (LHI), and CI. (G) In the medial heel (mH), CI showed the highest PPP. (H) In the lateral heel (lH), LHI showed the significantly highest PPP and PTI except for the CI. *Statistically significant differences (p < 0.05).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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