Objectives: Improving foot orthoses (FOs) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by using in-shoe plantar pressure measurements seems promising. The objectives of this study were to evaluate (1) the outcome on plantar pressure distribution of FOs that were adapted using in-shoe plantar pressure measurements according to a protocol and (2) the protocol feasibility.
Methods: Forty-five RA patients with foot problems were included in this observational proof-of concept study. FOs were custom-made by a podiatrist according to usual care. Regions of Interest (ROIs) for plantar pressure reduction were selected. According to a protocol, usual care FOs were evaluated using in-shoe plantar pressure measurements and, if necessary, adapted. Plantar pressure-time integrals at the ROIs were compared between the following conditions: (1) no-FO versus usual care FO and (2) usual care FO versus adapted FO. Semi-structured interviews were held with patients and podiatrists to evaluate the feasibility of the protocol.
Results: Adapted FOs were developed in 70% of the patients. In these patients, usual care FOs showed a mean 9% reduction in pressure-time integral at forefoot ROIs compared to no-FOs (p=0.01). FO adaptation led to an additional mean 3% reduction in pressure-time integral (p=0.05). The protocol was considered feasible by patients. Podiatrists considered the protocol more useful to achieve individual rather than general treatment goals. A final protocol was proposed.
Conclusions: Using in-shoe plantar pressure measurements for adapting foot orthoses for patients with RA leads to a small additional plantar pressure reduction in the forefoot. Further research on the clinical relevance of this outcome is required.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2015.12.039 | DOI Listing |
Adv Mater
January 2025
Laboratory of Advanced Theranostic Materials and Technology, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo, 315201, P. R. China.
Ionic conductive hydrogels have emerged as an excellent option for constructing dielectric layers of interfacial iontronic sensors. Among these, gradient ionic hydrogels, due to the intrinsic gradient elastic modulus, can achieve a wide range of pressure responses. However, the fabrication of gradient hydrogels with optimal mechanical and sensing properties remains a challenge.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMed Biol Eng Comput
January 2025
Auckland Bioengineering Institute, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
Lower limb biomechanics of chronic ankle instability (CAI) individuals has been widely investigated, but few have evaluated the internal foot mechanics in CAI. This study evaluated bone and soft tissue stress in CAI contrasted with copers and non-injured participants during a cutting task. Integrating scanned 3D foot shapes and free-form deformation, sixty-six personalized finite element foot models were developed.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: The goal of this study was to examine the effects of spinal cord stimulation (SCS) on muscle activity during walking after lower-limb amputation. Amputation results in a loss of sensory feedback and alterations in gait biomechanics, including co-contractions of antagonist muscles about the knee and ankle, and reduced pelvic obliquity range-of-motion and pelvic drop. SCS can restore sensation in the missing limb, but its effects on muscle activation and gait biomechanics have not been studied in people with lower-limb amputation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Foot Ankle Res
March 2025
The University of South Australia, Allied Health & Human Performance Unit, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
Background: This study investigated the effect of various offloading devices commonly used for the management of diabetic foot ulcerations on peak plantar pressure and pressure-time integral of the contralateral limb.
Methods: A quantitative, randomised and within-subject repeated measures study was conducted in an outpatient gait laboratory. Outpatients with unilateral diabetic foot ulcers and adequate perfusion to the lower limb without an intrinsic limb-length discrepancy who were able to walk were recruited for the study.
J Biomech
January 2025
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Rehabilitation & Development, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
The offloading effectiveness of custom-made footwear for people with diabetes is assessed using plantar pressure measurements. While such pressure data is multidimensional, it is mostly analyzed using a scalar - maximum peak plantar pressure (PMax). We aimed to investigate the associations between multiple peak plantar pressure parameters for footwear assessment and determine whether this assessment depends on the chosen parameter.
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