The optical pedobarograph.

The optical pedobarograph has proven to be very helpful in studying foot pressure abnormalities in a variety of clinical conditions and especially in diabetes mellitus and rheumatoid arthritis. Studies using this device have provided a very good insight into the etiopathogenesis and natural history of foot disorders. It has also allowed the conduction of intervention trials which assess the efficacy of new treatment. The main advantages of the pedobarograph include accuracy, reliability and high spatial resolution. Its drawbacks are its size and that it can only measure pressures between the foot-floor interface.