A comparison of footprint indexes calculated from ink and electronic footprints

J Am Podiatr Med Assoc. 2001 Apr;91(4):203-9. doi: 10.7547/87507315-91-4-203.

Abstract

Pressure platforms offer the potential to measure and record electronic footprints rapidly; however, the accuracy of geometric indexes derived from these prints has not been investigated. A comparison of conventional ink footprints with simultaneously acquired electronic prints revealed significant differences in several geometric indexes. The contact area was consistently underestimated by the electronic prints and resulted in a significant change in the arch index. The long plantar angle was poorly correlated between techniques. This study demonstrated that electronic footprints, derived from a pressure platform, are not representative of the equivalent ink footprints and, consequently, should not be interpreted with reference to literature on conventional footprints.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Australia
  • Dermatoglyphics*
  • Electronics, Medical / standards*
  • Female
  • Foot / anatomy & histology*
  • Humans
  • Ink*
  • Male
  • Podiatry / instrumentation
  • Podiatry / methods*
  • Podiatry / standards
  • Pressure
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Research Design / standards*