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Flexor Digitorum Brevis Muscle Dry Needling Changes Surface and Plantar Pressures: A Pre-Post Study
Eva María Martínez-Jiménez1, Marta Elena Losa-Iglesias2, Marta San Antolín-Gil3
1School of education, Nebrija University, 28015 Madrid, Spain.
Life (Basel, Switzerland)
|January 16, 2021
Summary
Dry needling of the flexor digitorum brevis muscle altered foot plantar pressures. Specifically, midfoot pressures and forefoot surface area increased, while rearfoot pressure decreased.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Physical Therapy
- Musculoskeletal Research
Background:
- Dry needling is a recognized technique for pain reduction.
- The mechanical effects of dry needling remain under-investigated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mechanical effects of deep dry needling on the flexor digitorum brevis muscle.
- To evaluate changes in static footprint variables following dry needling.
Main Methods:
- A pre-post study design was employed.
- 18 subjects with a flexor digitorum brevis myofascial trigger point were included.
- Static footprint variables were measured before and after deep dry needling.
Main Results:
- Significant differences were observed in rearfoot maximum pressure (decreased), midfoot maximum pressure (increased), midfoot medium pressure (increased), and forefoot surface area (increased).
- Specifically, rearfoot maximum pressure changed from 119.22 to 111.63 KPa (p=0.025).
- Midfoot maximum pressure changed from 13.68 to 17.26 KPa (p=0.077), and midfoot medium pressure from 4.75 to 6.24 KPa (p=0.035). Forefoot surface area increased from 86.58 to 81.75 cm² (p=0.020).
Conclusions:
- Deep dry needling of the flexor digitorum brevis muscle leads to increased midfoot plantar pressures (maximum and medium).
- Forefoot surface area also increased post-dry needling.
- Rearfoot maximum pressure was found to decrease after the intervention.
