Five of the most commonly used materials for shoe inserts (soft Plastazote, medium Pelite, PPT, Spenco, and Sorbothane) were objectively evaluated in the laboratory to characterize their behavior in the following three specific functions that correspond to clinical use: (1) the effect on the materials of repeated compression. (2) the effect of a combination of repetitive shear and compression. (3) the force-distribution (force-attenuation) properties of these materials, both when new and after repeated compression. The last function represents a model for relief of pressure beneath plantar bony prominences, a topic of special concern for the insensitive foot.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
BeachR.B.ThompsonD.E.Selected soft tissue research: An overview from Carville. Phys. Ther., 59: 30–33, 1979.
2.
CampbellG.J.McLureM.McWellE.N.Compressive behavior after simulated service conditions of some foamed materials intended as orthotic shoe insoles. J. Rehabil. Res. Dev., 21: 57–65, 1984.
3.
PrattD.J.ReesP.H.RodgersC.Assessment of some absorbing insoles. Prosthet. Orthot. Int., 10: 43–45, 1986.
