FOREFOOT ARTHROPLASTY AND CHANGES IN PLANTAR FOOT PRESSURES

The aim of this study was to determine how effective forefoot arthropl asty is at reducing the pressures under the forefoot. The EMED F press ure measuring system was used. Fifteen patients (23 feet) were include d in the study. Al patients had foot pressure studies performed before and after surgery. Our results show a significant increase in total p ressure and pressure-time integral under the foot after surgery. This increase was most marked under the first metatarsal head region (P <.0 05). However, the midmetatarsal region showed a slight decrease in pre ssure, but this was not significant. Symptomatically, 13 patients felt improved by the operation. The results suggest that the procedure is successful because it transfers the pressure to areas better able to t olerate it, rather than reduces the total pressure.