The Effects of Modified Low-Dye Taping in the Patient with Heel Pad Atrophy

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether the change of heel pad thickness improves the pain after Modified Low-Dye Taping (MLDT) in the patient with heel pad atrophy. METHOD: Thirty-five feet of 20 volunteers with heel pad atrophy were selected for the measurement of heel-pad thickness and compressibility index (CI) of the center of calcaneus bone using ultrasound. The subjects were laid in prone with the knees flexed to 90degrees, and an electronic body weight scale was inserted beneath the anterior surface of their knees to take measurements of both UHPT (unloaded heel pad thickness) and LHPT (6 kg-loaded heel pad thickness), which were repeated 3 times respectively. CI was calculated base on LHPT divided by UHPT. After MLDT, the same method was repeated. visual analogue scale (VAS) score was checked at first visit and followed up at second visit. RESULTS: Prior to MLDT, the average value of UHPT (cm), LHPT (cm) and CI value was 0.92+/-0.11, 0.25+/-0.06 and 0.27+/-0.04 respectively. After MLDT, the average was 1.24+/-0.17 for UHPT (cm) and 0.42+/-0.11, for LHPT (cm) while CI stood at 0.33+/-0.06. VAS before MLDT was 7.35+/-1.27 and after MLDT was 3.50+/-1.36, which presented 54% of decrease than initial. CONCLUSION: It was confirmed that the average values of the heel-pad thickness, CI and VAS of patients with heel pad atrophy were improved for MLDT. Accordingly it is considered that application of MLDT is an efficacious treatment and thus further study is needed to develop foot orthoses for heel pad atrophy using the principle of MLDT.