In-shoe plantar pressure measurement: a review

Abstract

In-shoe plantar pressure measurement has the potential to play a crucial role in the screening, treatment and behavior modification of patients who are at risk of, or are experiencing a variety of foot problems. In this article we review the instrumentation, methodology, applications, and rationale for in-shoe plantar pressure measurement. Possible new applications in the future are also discussed. In-shoe techniques are advantageous compared to the more traditional platform devices because they permit the most important interface, that between the foot and shoe, to be monitored and they allow for increased versatility of measurement for the calculation of more robust statistical estimates. Both discrete transducers and matrix systems have been developed; each approach has its advantages and disadvantages but, in general, matrix systems are preferable. Although there are still device limitations which must be overcome the technique of in-shoe measurement has opened the door to a whole new realm of pressure studies both in research and clinical practice.