The influence of the rocker sole profile's orientation on the sagittal plane ankle range of motion

Rocker shoes are prescribed in any pathomechanical condition where the normal motions of the foot's joints are limited, as it is the case with hallux limitus/rigidus or ankle immobilisation. Walking is achieved through facilitating the movement around the three pivoting centres: heel, ankle and metatarsophalangeal joints. One important technical parameter of the rocker sole profiles is represented by the position of the distal and proximal borders of the contact area between sole and supporting surface. The design of rocker soles profiles based on the concept of invariability of the roll-over shape of the ankle-foot system during walking implies that the sole's sagittal plane profile will have a circular shape, with identical distal and proximal borders. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of the orientation of rocker sole profile on the ankle's sagittal plane range of motion.