Topic > Protection of foot tissues from excessive plantar pressure

IndexFoam rubbersMaterials of natural originCellular polymersHistorically, the protection of foot tissues from excessive plantar pressure was ensured using a wide range of available materials such as wood, cork and skin. With advances in materials science over the past four decades, a wide range of materials have been introduced to the market, including foam rubbers, plastics, warp-knitted fabrics, and cellular polymers that possess properties and characteristics suitable for use in insoles of exhaust. Subsequently, the main characteristic properties of each type of material are discussed. For clarity and easier understanding of the results all commercial materials mentioned in this report are grouped according to their polymeric nature. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Foam Rubbers Rubber can be obtained naturally or produced synthetically. Synthetic rubber materials are commonly used in numerous orthotic devices. Natural latex is light and very soft but subject to rapid and permanent deformation. Latex foam orthopedic insoles are primarily used to provide additional cushioning and to temporarily relieve pressure and painful symptoms. However, latex stains easily and deteriorates in practical uses, so much so that the insoles easily "touch" under low loads, resulting in poor cushioning or shock absorption for the wearer. Neoprene is a special type of synthetic rubber made from poly (chloroprene) and is primarily known for its use as an insert or insole material in the form of closed-cell foam or open-cell foam. Neoprene can reduce friction, which is why it is often chosen as a covering material for sports orthoses when friction and shear forces are expected to be high. However, it has poor ventilation and heat retention properties. Recently, neoprene covering of insoles has been reported as a cause of allergic contact dermatitis. Thiourea compounds contained in neoprene can trigger allergic reactions such as severe itching, eczematous rashes and in some cases blistering, as reported by Hawkey et all., 2015. Materials of natural origin The most commonly used natural materials are leather(6 ), cork and felt fabrics (7). Most of them possess many desirable characteristics for use in orthopedic insoles, such as wide availability, light weight, low cost, air and water permeability, and the ability to be easily molded. The leather is extremely durable and adapts to the shape of the foot. It is not only used as an interface material for orthopedic insoles to protect the skin from irritation, but also for support purposes when strength and resilience are required. It is a frequently used material for many foot orthotics and shoe modifications due to its superior breathability characteristics. Cork is a lightweight shock-absorbing material made from the outer bark of a tree. It is usually used in combination with skin due to its rough surface and skin irritation. There is currently a new composite material that takes advantage of both the properties of cork and the polymer matrix and adds extreme durability. Felt materials such as wool felt are adopted in orthopedic insoles for their softness, smoothness, resilience and excellent shock absorption properties. They also have the advantage of being easily molded into shapes and giving a large amount of heat. Here.