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Total contact casting: its effect on contralateral plantar foot pressure
Heather D Hartsell1, Richard A Brand, Charles L Saltzman
1Physical Therapy Graduate Program, University of Iowa, Iowa City 52242-1008, USA. heather-hartsell@uiowa.edu
Foot & Ankle International
|May 7, 2002
Summary
Total contact casts (TCC) do not alter plantar pressure on the opposite foot. This finding suggests that TCCs for diabetic foot ulcers likely do not increase the risk of contralateral ulceration.
Area of Science:
- Podiatry
- Diabetic Foot Care
- Biomechanics
Background:
- Total contact casts (TCC) are standard for treating diabetic neuropathic foot ulcers.
- Concerns exist that TCCs may negatively impact gait and loading on the contralateral limb.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of Total Contact Casting (TCC) on plantar pressure parameters in the contralateral extremity of healthy subjects.
Main Methods:
- Ten healthy participants walked with a running shoe, a fiberglass TCC, and a traditional TCC.
- Plantar pressure (peak pressure, contact time, pressure-time integrals) was measured on the contralateral foot's forefoot, metatarsal V, and heel using the Pedar system.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in peak pressure, contact time, or pressure-time integrals were observed on the contralateral forefoot, metatarsal V area, or heel across all footwear conditions.
- Plantar pressure parameters remained consistent regardless of whether subjects wore a running shoe, fiberglass TCC, or traditional TCC.
Conclusions:
- Total contact casting does not appear to adversely affect plantar pressure parameters in the contralateral foot.
- The use of TCCs is unlikely to increase the risk of contralateral foot ulceration in individuals with diabetes.