Normal volume of the foot and ankle

Abstract

The purposes of the study were to note any difference in volumes of the right and left foot and ankle in normal subjects and to determine the ability of an operator to consistently orient the extremity within the measuring device. Twenty normal subjects were included in the study. Three readings of each foot and ankle were taken by two observers and the means used as data. A paired sample t -test revealed that the readings were of relatively high reliability and suitable for an objective evaluation of oedema (Alpha value for the right leg was 0.9998 and for the left 0.9997). Using the volumeter for measuring volume of foot and ankle shows no statistically significant difference between right and left foot and ankle volumes (t= −0.57, standard deviation = 133.7104; standard error of means = 30.1229). There was no relation of the volumetric measurement of the feet to the individual being right- or left-footed. The authors recommend the use of such an apparatus for volumetric analysis in ankle sprains, traumatic foot and ankle swellings and in a research scenario. It is also possible to consider the volume of the right and left foot and ankle as equal as seen in our results. This can be valuable information firstly to quantify the amount of swelling on the injured ankle as compared to the normal and secondly to assess the effect of a treatment modality on reducing traumatic foot and ankle swellings.