Investigation of the optimal location of the metatarsal pad in the standing position

The location of the metatarsal pads was quantitated in 16 healthy men (32 feet) using plantar pressure measurement and numeric rating scale (NRS) systems. Plantar pressure measurement system (F-Scan, Nitta co. Japan) was used to measure plantar pressure in subjects standing still under 5 different placement conditions of metatarsal pads (thickness, 8 mm). Measurement was also performed with no pads (control, 0 mm). After plantar pressure measurement under each condition, subjects rated pain caused by the height of the pads using NRS. The results showed that the placement was optimum when the apex of the pad was located 2 cm proximal and 5 mm lateral to the proximal end of the second metatarsal head along the longitudinal axis of feet