A method of dynamic foot-pressure measurement for the evaluation of pediatric orthopaedic foot deformities.

Dynamic foot-pressure measurements are time-sensitive measurements of the pressures under the foot while walking. Historically, many methods are used to measure these pressures; however, current medical literature does not contain a method suitable for the evaluation of pediatric orthopaedic foot deformities. A method for the measurement of dynamic foot pressure for the treatment of pediatric orthopaedic foot deformities was defined in this study. We established the dynamic foot-pressure pattern of a normal population using this method. Dynamic foot-pressure measurements were collected from 54 normal subjects (108 feet). These measurements were divided into the following five segments: the heel, the lateral midfoot, the medial midfoot, the lateral forefoot, and the medial forefoot. Standard tables and graphs were created describing the normal progression of pressure across each segment of the foot while walking. These standard tables and graphs can be used as a reference with which clinical measurements can be compared. This method may be useful as a diagnostic measure of foot deformities and may increase the clinician's ability to measure changes in foot deformity resulting from treatment intervention.