Dynamic Assessment of the Load Distribution on the Plantar Surface of the Foot Using the University of Cape Town Walkway and Its Clinical Application

Abstract

The dynamic assessment of the plantar pressure profile is now possible, and an immediate visual display without the necessity for complicated computer-assisted analysis has been developed using a walkway designed at the University of Cape Town. Using the walkway, the author assessed the feet of 10 normal children and 10 normal adults. They showed consistently similar profiles with very minor variations. Using the walkway, the author also showed in four abnormal cases the effects of corrective surgical procedures and of an orthotic device.