The relationship of the heel pad compressibility and plantar pressure distribution

Loss of heel pad elasticity has been suggested as one of the possible expla nations of heel pain. This study aimed to determine the effect of heel pad thickness and its compressibility to heel pressure distribution, in 47 (94 feet) normal subjects and 59 (94 feet) patients with heel pain, using radio logical measurements and EMED-SF (Novel, Munich) plantar pressure distribut ion measurement system. Both heels of the patients and control group were radiographed with and wit hout weight bearing. The ratio of the heel pad thickness in loading to unlo ading position was defined as "the heel pad compressibility index." The pla ntar peak pressure of the heel was measured at heel strike phase of the gai t cycle. The compressibility index for control and patient groups were found to be 0 .60 and 0.69, respectively. The peak pressure under the heel pad was record ed to be 28.4 N/cm2 for patients and 31.7 N/cm(2) for control group. No sig nificant difference was found for heel pad compressibility index and heel p ad pressures between patient and control groups (p > 0.05). This study revealed that there is no relationship between heel pad compress ibility and pressure distribution of the heel pad both in control and patie nt group. We feel the flexibility of the heel pad does not have any influen ce on heel pain syndromes.