THE EFFECTS OF ROCKER SOLE ON RUNNING KINEMATICS AND WEIGHT-BEARING COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY: A 3D ANALYSIS STUDY.

Abstract

Rocker sole footwear can be indicated as a treatment for forefoot load distribution disorders, such as diabetic ulcers, metatarsalgia, and hallux rigidus, among others, with favorable clinical outcomes. Pressure analysis studies on rocker sole footwear highlight results that explain their clinical benefits for forefoot conditions. There is insufficient data in the literature to understand the changes in foot mobility and anatomy caused by rocker sole footwear. This study proposes a methodology using weight-bearing computed tomography (WBCT) to evaluate the anatomical alterations in the forefoot associated with rocker sole footwear. The goal is to investigate morphological changes in the forefoot that explain the clinically established kinetic and kinematic effects of such footwear. Biomechanical analysis potentially enhances the understanding of kinetic and kinematic findings without the bias of rocker sole position or magnitude changes. Level of Evidence V; Expert Opinion.