| Author: | Kwok, Wing-kwan |
| Title: | The effect of rocker bottom shoe on the distribution of plantar pressure |
| Degree: | M.Sc. |
| Year: | 2003 |
| Subject: | Hong Kong Polytechnic University -- Dissertations Foot -- Diseases Diabetics -- Complications Footwear -- Therapeutic use Walking -- Physiological aspects |
| Department: | Jockey Club Rehabilitation Engineering Centre |
| Pages: | ix, 104 leaves : ill. ; 30 cm |
| Language: | English |
| Abstract: | Current research emphasizes the importance of preventive measures for the diabetic foot. Prescription footwear has been shown to be a significant factor in the prevention of both ulcer recurrence and amputation. In addition, scientific evidence has proved the effect of rocker sole in reducing pressure at metatarsal region. Recent advances in biomechanical modeling and in-shoe pressure measuring systems allow more objective data for the evaluation of a wide variety of prescription footwear. The importance of prescription footwear as a preventive measure is nonetheless widely recognized for the long-term management of the diabetic foot (Janisse, 1995). The aim of this study was to examine the effect of different designs of rocker bottom shoe on plantar pressure distribution. Twenty symptom-free subjects participated in this study. Canvas shoes with and without rocker design were used as a laboratory shoes for the experiment. The recorded plantar pressure of the subject walked with different rocker designs were compared with that of non-rocker shoe (the control condition). Effects of different rocker angles and rocker axis locations were investigated. The initial rocker axis was an imaginary line across the 1st and 5th metatarsophalangeal joints (i.e. the A-axis). The location of the rocker axes were varied by putting it 1 cm proximal to the A-axis (i.e. P-axis), and 1 cm distal to the A-axis (i.e. the D-axis) of 2 cm and 4 cm thick outer soles respectively. The F-Scan Insole Pressure Sensing System was used to assess the plantar pressure distribution in walking. With the rocker bottom shoes, peak pressure decreased at forefoot, but increased at the midfoot and hindfoot. In the forefoot region, the maximum and mean peak pressures were reduced by 41% +-5% (pressure relief from 30% to 46%) and 41% +- 6 % (pressure relief from 33% to 55%) respectively in the rocker design as compared to the non-rocker condition. However, the maximum and mean peak pressures increased at the midfoot and hindfoot. The maximum peak pressures increased at the midfoot and hindfoot were 37% +- 12% (from 13% to 50%) and 30% +- 6 % (from 18% to 39%) respectively. Meanwhile, the mean peak pressures increased at the midfoot and hindfoot were 40% +- 12% (from 20 % to 57%) and 37% +- 11% (from 17% to 56%) respectively. It was found that when the location of the rocker axis was shifted towards the heel, there was a significant decrease in forefoot peak pressure but a significant increase in midfoot and hindfoot pressures. |
| Rights: | All rights reserved |
| Access: | restricted access |
Files in This Item:
| File | Description | Size | Format | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| b17248668.pdf | For All Users (off-campus access for PolyU Staff & Students only) | 3.95 MB | Adobe PDF | View/Open |
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