Do plantar hyperkeratoses affect balance in people older than 65 years old?

Tactile information picked up by plantar receptors provides afferent sensory information that is fundamental for controlling body balance. Plantar hyperkeratoses may alter the quality and quantity of such information, thereby modifying balance. AIM: Analyse how plantar hyperkeratosis debridement affects static body balance in subjects of 65 years of age or older. METHODS: In order to analyse the impact of hyperkeratoses on balance, 50 older people took part in this study. Pain caused by plantar hyperkeratoses was measured on a visual analogue scale. Static balance was assessed on a pressure sensitive platform. The treatment was scalpel debridement of hyperkeratoses. RESULTS: Pain decreased significantly (p=0.03). Regarding the variables analysed, significant differences were found between pre- and post-treatment values in anteroposterior length (Length, mm) (p=0.032) and anteroposterior amplitude (Amp, mm) (p=0.044) of the centre of plantar pressure with eyes open. CONCLUSIONS: Plantar hyperkeratosis debridement is capable of interfering favourably with sensory afferent inputs, thereby improving control of stability and modifying stabilometric readings in the AP component when a subject balance with eyes open.

Effect of debridement of plantar hyperkeratoses on gait in older people - An exploratory trial.

Hyperkeratoses are a common cause of foot pain due to the release of inflammatory mediators, which can have an impact on the mobility and independence of people suffering from them. However, the repercussions that hyperkeratoses have on gait parameters remain uncertain. AIM: The aim of this study is to analyze the repercussions that plantar hyperkeratosis debridement has on several kinematic and kinetic variables of gait in a group of older participants. METHODS: 98 older participants (75.1 ±â€¯6.7 years) were randomly assigned to two groups: Group A, Scalpel debridement of plantar hyperkeratoses; and Group B, Control group (Simulated debridement). Plantar hyperkeratotic pain was measured before and after treatment on a visual analog scale. Several kinematic and kinetic variables of gait were measured before and after treatment using a Win-Track pressure sensitive walkway. RESULTS: A significant difference was found in the level of pain between the treated group and the control group (p < 0.01 [8.55-18.15; 95% confidence interval]). Regarding the gait parameters, statistically significant reductions were found in peak pressures (p < 0.05; Cohen's d = 2.688) and maximum force (p < 0.04; d = 0.262). CONCLUSIONS: Data suggests that debridement of plantar hyperkeratosis may lead to a reduction in pain and appear to reduce peak maximum force and peak plantar pressure. No significant changes were observed in the kinematic variables analyzed. The duration of the benefits remain unknown.

Importancia de la sensibilidad plantar en la regulación del control postural y del movimiento: revisión / Importance of plantar sensitivity in the regulation of postural control and movement: Review

El objetivo de esta revisión es analizar la influencia de la sensibilidad plantar en la mejora de la capacidad de reequilibración y de gestión del movimiento, analizando los mecanismos que permiten valorarla y describiendo los factores que en ella influyen. Para ello se realizó una búsqueda sistemática de la bibliografía publicada entre 2000 y 2016, en las bases de datos PubMed, Web of Science, Sport-Discus y en las referencias citadas en los artículos recuperados, cuyo idioma de publicación fuera español o inglés. Un total de 9 artículos fueron recuperados y analizados. La mayoría de los estudios sugieren que, la retroalimentación sensorial del pie resulta fundamental en el mantenimiento de los patrones generales (posturales y de desplazamiento) y específicos (deportivos). La alteración de la cantidad o calidad de la información aferente plantar no solo parece alterar la creación de los diferentes patrones, sino que podrá incrementar el riesgo de aparición de lesiones (AU)

The objective of this review is to analyse the influence of plantar sensitivity in improving the ability to rebalance and manage movement by analysing the mechanisms available to assess this and describing the factors that influence this. This project required a systematic search of the literature published between 2000 and 2016 in PubMed, Web of Science, and SPORTDiscus, as well as the references cited in relevant articles from these sources. The publication languages were Spanish and English, and a total of 9 items were collected and analysed. Most studies suggest that sensory feedback from the foot is essential in maintaining general (postural and displacement) and specific (sport) patterns. Altering the quantity or quality of plantar afferent information not only appears to alter the creation of different patterns but may also increase the risk of injury (AU)