Forefoot rockers in footwear

 Forefoot rockers in footwear

 

What is a forefoot Rocker!

 

Footwear with a forefoot rocker, commonly called a (½) rocker sole, toe spring and Meta rocker (Hoka) refers to the degree of upward curvature of the sole under the toes or forefoot.

With the increasing thickness & stiffness of midsoles, shoe rockers are becoming more common.

An increased forefoot rocker or toe spring angle decreased toe work & decreased range of movement of the toe joints (The metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joints) when walking.

Shoe rocker: what is it & who is it useful for? (healthhp.com.au)

 

Some of the reasons to include forefoot rocker or toe spring in a shoe is to help reduce discomfort due hallux limitus (big toe arthritis), osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis of the forefoot and ball-of-foot pain by reducing the motion in the toe.

Shoes with fore rocker are also beneficial for people with diabetes that need to redistribute their plantar pressure. Reducing peak plantar pressures in the medial forefoot, central forefoot and toe regions compared to the flatter style shoe therefore reduces the risk of ulcerations in the foot. A forefoot rocker would also help with Morton’s neuroma by off-loading forefoot pressure. Note. People with Morton’s neuroma need very low or zero drop shoes thus taking the pressure on the bones in the ball of the feet (where your Morton’s neuroma is located)

Another benefit of forefoot rocker (toe spring) you will find in athletic shoes. This help runners who land on their forefoot get a faster transition to toe-off and rely less on ankle flexion. The toe rocker adds a feeling of being propelled forward without taking away from the runner's natural gait. This is prevalent in running shoes with thicker midsoles and stiffer soles. These type of athletic shoe have been found to reduce load and force on the Achilles tendon, forefoot, toe joints and foot relief and ability to continue running/walking.