We greatly appreciate the commentary offered by our esteemed colleague Dr. Chantelau (1) and the opportunity to make a response. As he correctly points out, the modality used in this project was not the Barouk-type device but rather the Darco device. His point is well taken. In our anecdotal experiences, both modalities have positive and negative attributes with respect to their ability to off-load the plantar aspect of the forefoot—issues related to postural/ambulatory stability and compliance. Clearly, the Barouk device deserves the same sort of practical clinical testing as the Darco device, and we look forward to further studies that will take up this challenge.
References
Address correspondence to David G. Armstrong, Director of Research and Education, Department of Surgery, Podiatry Section, Southern Arizona Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 3601 South Sixth Ave., Tucson, AZ 85750. E-mail: [email protected].
