Razi Journal of Medical Sciences

Background: Walking pattern of patients with diabetic neuropathy differs from healthy subjects. Any intervention that makes changes to this compensatory strategy may increase fall risk in these patients. Rocker sole shoes are frequently prescribed to patients with diabetic neuropathy in order to prevent forefoot plantar ulceration. The purpose of the current study was to explore effects of the toe only rocker sole on some gait characteristics in diabetic patients with neuropathy.

Methods: Seventeen patients with diabetic neuropathy participated in this study. An average of the step length, step width and walking speed was measured while performing walk across test using Neurocom system with and without toe only rocker sole. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS statistical software (Version 18.0). To determine the normality of the distribution of the data, Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and to compare the mean of the data between two conditions, paired-samples t-test were performed.

Results: No significant difference was observed between walking with rocker sole and without it in any of the step length (59.09±11.37, 57.66±13.03), step width (17.21±5.08, 16.53±4.24) and walking speed (81.92± 17.6, 84.48± 20.02), respectively (p>0.05).

Conclusion: Toe only rocker sole made no alteration in compensatory walking pattern of patients with diabetic neuropathy they use either to reduce peak plantar pressure or enhancing dynamic stability.