Affiliations: [a] Division of Orthopaedic Rheumatology, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany | [b] Department of Radiology, University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Thilo Hotfiel, Division of Orthopaedic Rheumatology, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Rathsberger Str. 57, D-91054 Erlangen, Germany. Tel.: +49 9131 822 0; Fax: +49 9131 822 3340; E-mail:Thilo.Hotfiel@gmx.de;Thilo.Hotfiel@fau.de
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Plantar pressure leads to stress on plantar tissue and
can be seen as risk factor for metatarsal stress fractures or plantar ulcers
and is associated with prolonged and complicated recurrence of existing
tissue damages. A clear demarcation of a systematic raise of body load
regarding its effect on plantar pressure has not been described. OBJECTIVE: Assessing plantar pressure patterns in different conditions of
body weight, comparing data to initial body weight. METHODS: Seventeen healthy volunteers were asked to participate. Peak
pressure values were assessed during walking with dynamic pedobarography and
analysed from three foot sections. Body weight was loaded up gradually with
10%, 20% and 30% of the individual initial weight by using a
weighted vest. RESULTS: We were able to detect a statistically significant
increase of plantar pressure for all foot regions in case of loaded body
weight of 20% and 30% comparing to initial weight (p< 0.05). The midfoot
area displays a significant increase for peak pressure for the preferred
foot even for 10% body load. CONCLUSIONS: Peak plantar pressure increases with loaded body weight. The
midfoot area seems to be a sensitive area in case of adapting increasing
foot load. Considering the clinical relevance, loaded body weight has to be
seen as risk factor for increasing plantar pressure patterns and should be
considered in recurrence of plantar ulcers or stress fractures.
Keywords: Plantar pressure, body weight, stress fractures, plantar ulcers
