Turkish Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 2005 , Vol 51 , Num 2

Pedobarographic Evaluation in Foot Disorders

Hakan Tuna 1
1 Trakya Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Fiziksel Tıp ve Rehabilitasyon Anabilim Dalı, Edirne

Plantar pressure assessment during walking and standing has been a useful tool in the evaluation of foot diseases. Plantar foot pressure measurements have been performed since the beginning of 1980. A decade later, the interest in pedobarography focused on studies investigating biomechanics, diabetic feet, orthopedic problems, and shoe modifications. Pedobarographic investigation can be useful to evaluate pressure distribution in rheumatoid arthritis feet and may provide suitable guidelines for the design of various plantar supports. We observed that each deformity caused different, specific results, and had various biomechanical effects. Pedobarography has been an important tool showing biomechanical alterations after orthopedic surgery. Clinicians should aim to reduce and redistribute excessive pressure on the sole of the foot, bringing biomechanical faults closer to normal conditions. For this reason, pedobarography is an objective, functional method that could be used in the diagnosis and treatment of foot disorders. 

Keywords : Pedobarography, foot disorders