Changes in the parameters of gait after a mechanical debridement of a plantar callosities

Abstract

Introduction: Plantar callosities are a common cause of pain in the forefoot and also a cause of alterations in plantar pressure. Mechanical debridement with a scalpel can relieve pain and increase functional capacity.

Objective: The aim of the study was to analyse if debridement of plantar callosities and corns modify walking.

Methods: Thirty four patients with plantar foot pain due to callosities and corns, and up to 5 in the visual analogical scale (VAS) of pain, (20 women, age 29 ± 11.57 years) were analysed by taking into account the changes of their gait. The outcome measurement was the VAS scale and the Win-track system, cycle of the gait(milliseconds), angle(degrees), cadence(number/minutes) and step(centimetres) were measured, 24 h before and after the debridement with a scalpel.

Results: There were significant differences in foot pain (mean 67.7, p < 0.001) but there were no significant differences in measures of gait variables before the debridement of the callosities, and 24 h after the procedure, being all those above 0.05.

Conclusions: Our study shows that the debridement with scalpel does not change the variables of the gait 24 h after the procedure.

Keywords: Change; Chiropody; Corns; Gait angle; Gait cycle; Plantar callosities.