The factors that affects plantar pressures under metatarsal heads

Metatarsalgia is believed to be related with plantar pressure under metatarsal heads. However there is lack of information regarding normal pressure distribution patterns of healthy individuals. During this study we are aimed to find out factors effective on plantar pressures under metatarsal heads.Patients and MethodsBoth feet of 61 healthy volunteers examined( 41 female and 20 male), with mean age of 44 years (22-63). The mean was BMI 28,04 kg/m². Physical examinations were carried out on subjects to ensure that none of them had evidence of foot deformity or diseases affecting the foot. Weight bearing A/P, and lateral foot radiographs, clinic Q angle, hamstring tightness, ROM at ankle joint and pedobarographic measurements were carried out for each patients.ResultsMean Q angle was 10,9º (8-16) and mean hamstring tightness 13,8 º (0-42). Measured mean hallux valgus angle was 15,9º (±4,70), intermetatarsal angle was 7,2º(±1,59), talocalcaneal angle was 41,87º(±4,77), talohorizontal angle was 23,25º(±1,92), talus-first metatarsal angle was 1,78º (±1,57) and calcaneal inclination (pitch) angle 18,55º(±4,58). There were no significant differance among obese (BMI > 30 kg/m²) and non obese subjects. Pedobarographic measurements revealed that peak pressures occurs under second and third metatarsal heads for 83 % of subjects.ConclusionThis study demonstrates that; measured individual parameters have several effects on plantar pressures under metatarsal heads. As a result of regression analysis, due to complexity of foot biomechanics and variability of parameters these effects have not produced significant difference on overall pressure values.