EFFECT OF HEEL HEIGHT ON FOREFOOT LOADING

Sixty feet of 30 normal subjects were investigated to determine the ef fect of changing the heel height on forefoot loading. Subjects walked across footplates barefoot and with rigid polyurethane heels attached to the foot with a tubular bandage. The total load on the forefoot rem ained unchanged at all of the heel heights, but the distribution of th e load changed as the heel was raised. The area of forefoot contact wi th the footplates decreased and there was a deviation of load toward t he medial side of the forefoot with a resultant increase in pressure. These effects could contribute to overload of the distal forefoot and especially of the first ray.