Identification of Foot Pathologies Based on Plantar Pressure Asymmetry

Abstract

Foot pathologies can negatively influence foot function, consequently impairing gait during daily activity, and severely impacting an individual’s quality of life. These pathologies are often painful and correspond with high or abnormal plantar pressure, which can result in asymmetry in the pressure distribution between the two feet. There is currently no general consensus on the presence of asymmetry in able-bodied gait, and plantar pressure analysis during gait is in dire need of a standardized method to quantify asymmetry. This paper investigates the use of plantar pressure asymmetry for pathological gait diagnosis. The results of this study involving plantar pressure analysis in fifty one participants (31 healthy and 20 with foot pathologies) support the presence of plantar pressure asymmetry in normal gait. A higher level of asymmetry was detected at the majority of the regions in the feet of the pathological population, including statistically significant differences in the plantar pressure asymmetry in two regions of the foot, metatarsophalangeal joint 3 (MPJ3) and the lateral heel. Quantification of plantar pressure asymmetry may prove to be useful for the identification and diagnosis of various foot pathologies.

Real-time gait event detection for lower limb amputees using a single wearable sensor

“…Evaluation of FFS was done by comparing the two potential points with the initiation of FSW at 1 st and 5 th Metatarsals. Wafai et al [17] presented a study of plantar pressure distribution during the whole stance phase and the outcome showed low-pressure distribution at the metatarsal region indicate the start of foot-flat for CS. Based on statistical results, Foot-Flat Start2 (FFS2) was found to be a suitable candidate as MD was 3.7 ms for CS and -18.5 ms for the intact side of TFA.…”

Sensor Fusion and Smart Sensor in Sports and Biomedical Applications

“…This system model is based on measuring the plantar pressure between the foot of the individual and the outsole of the footwear, having an interface between the parts of an instrumented insole [17,86,87,88,89], as featured in Figure 7a.…”

“…[17,86,87,88,89]. These plantar pressure concepts can be applied in high performance sports, not only in training or in the analysis of the assessments, but also, for example, in track sports, snowboarding and soccer [16,24,79].…”

A Comparative Review of Footwear-Based Wearable Systems

“…Foot plantar pressure measurement applications focus on measuring Figure 2a shows an illustration of a plantar pressure map during one stance phase (heel strike to heel off) of a healthy individual [27].…”

“…Figure 2a shows an illustration of a plantar pressure map during one stance phase (heel strike to heel off) of a healthy individual [27]. The foot and ankle provide the support and flexibility for weight bearing and weight shifting activities such as standing and walking.…”