Application of Zebris dynamometric platform and Arch Index in assessment of the longitudinal arch of the foot.

BACKGROUND: Assessment of the foot arch is an important element of posture examination. In clinical practice, different methods are used. Reliability and repeatability of the techniques raises many doubts.

OBJECTIVE: Development and verification of our own, automated diagnostic algorithm for evaluation of the longitudinal arch of the foot with the use of the Zebris FDM-S dynamometric platform.

METHODS: This paper presents selected footprints assessment methods and Zebris dynamometric platform to assess the longitudinal arch of the foot.

RESULTS: The results were compared to standard plantography examination. The outcomes show high correlation of the investigated parameters methods used. The ambiguity of classification criteria of foot arch was observed.

CONCLUSIONS: 1/Examination confirmed strong linear correlation between the Arch Index results obtained during examinations on a stabilometric platform and plantography examination. 2/The proposed algorithm for AI evaluation using the Zebris FDM-S dynamometric platform enables simultaneous analysis of stabilometric and pedobarometric variables as well classifying the type of disorder arch longitudinal arch of the foot. 3/Qualitative analysis of the arch, based on plantography results and the Arch Index, shows inconsistency in results obtained with different methods. 4/The obtained results show further necessity to conduct more studies to develop methods of standardization of foot arch assessment.