Off-the-shelf in-shoe heel inserts: does cost matter?

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Sports Medicine
• Podiatry

Background:

• Increased participation in exercise has led to greater use of off-the-shelf heel inserts.
• Consumer choice is often driven by availability and cost rather than performance.
• A need exists to evaluate the efficacy of different price points for heel inserts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the pressure attenuation capabilities of expensive versus inexpensive off-the-shelf heel inserts.
• To determine if higher cost correlates with improved heel pressure reduction.

Main Methods:

• Six brands of heel inserts (6-30 pounds sterling) were tested.
• Thirty-five asymptomatic subjects walked with and without inserts.
• Plantar pressure parameters under the heel were measured using the Pedar in-shoe system.

Main Results:

• All tested heel inserts effectively reduced peak pressure, maximum force, and pressure-time integral under the heel.
• Contact time generally increased with insert use.
• Contact area remained comparable with and without inserts.

Conclusions:

• No significant difference in pressure attenuation was found between the least expensive and most expensive heel inserts.
• Less expensive heel inserts are as effective as premium brands for pressure attenuation.
• The long-term durability and endurance of inserts warrant further investigation.