What are the different ways that the posture of the foot can be measured?

The foot is an essential part of the human body that plays a vital role in maintaining balance and facilitating movement. The structure and alignment of the foot affect the way a person walks, runs, and stands. Foot posture refers to the position of the foot when standing or walking, and it can affect an individual's overall health and wellbeing. There are different measures of foot posture that can help determine the alignment and structure of the foot.

One of the most common measures of foot posture is the foot posture index (FPI). The FPI is a 6-point scale that assesses the position of the foot in relation to the ground. The index measures six different aspects of foot posture, including the position of the calcaneus, talus, midfoot, forefoot, and toes. A score of 0 indicates a neutral foot posture, while a score of +12 indicates a highly pronated foot, and a score of -12 indicates a highly supinated foot.

Another measure of foot posture is the navicular drop test. This test involves measuring the vertical distance between the navicular bone and the ground when standing in a relaxed position and when performing a single-leg squat. The test assesses the degree of foot pronation, with a greater navicular drop indicating a more pronated foot posture.

The third measure of foot posture is the arch height index (AHI). The AHI is a ratio of the standing height of the foot's medial arch to the standing length of the foot. The AHI can be used to determine the foot's arch height and can be an indicator of foot posture. A higher AHI indicates a higher medial arch, which is associated with a more supinated foot posture.

The fourth measure of foot posture is the plantar pressure distribution. Plantar pressure measurement systems can measure the distribution of pressure on the foot when standing or walking. This measure can help determine the areas of the foot that are experiencing increased pressure and can provide insight into foot posture.

A fifth approach is to use a number of different observations of different components of the foot. This could be something as simple as the height of the arch of the foot. Another is something like Helbing sign which is a bowing of the Achilles tendon. For a number of reasons this Helbing sign as limited clinical usefulness.

Finally, gait analysis is a measure of foot posture that assesses the movement of the foot when walking or running. Gait analysis can be conducted using video analysis or instrumented gait analysis. The analysis provides information on foot placement, stride length, and other aspects of foot posture.

Foot posture is an important aspect of overall health and wellbeing. There are different measures of foot posture that can help determine the alignment and structure of the foot, including the foot posture index, navicular drop test, arch height index, plantar pressure distribution, and gait analysis. These measures can provide valuable information for healthcare professionals in treating foot conditions and improving overall mobility and function.

Craig Payne is a University lecturer, runner, cynic, researcher, skeptic, forum admin, woo basher, clinician, rabble-rouser, blogger and a dad.