A comparison of shoe insole materials in plantar pressure relief

A clinical study was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of seven shoe insole materials and their ability to relieve areas of high plantar pressure. The following materials were tested: Latex foam, Plastazote, Dynafoam, Ortho felt, PPTR, Spenco, and Molo. Twenty-six patients with areas of high plantar pressure were tested using each of these materials. The Harris and Beath footprinting technique was used to measure plantar pressure. It was found that the average pressure of a clinically painful plantar area was 398.15kN/m2. All insole materials tested decreased this pressure, with averages ranging from 186.33kN/m2 to 286.35kN/m2. PPT, Plastazote and Spenco were the most effective products tested.