The Yorkshire Foot Surgery and Biomechanics Clinic

The Yorkshire Foot Surgery & Biomechanics Clinic

Pressure Scan Analysis

Measurement of plantar pressure produces information regarding foot and ankle function during gait. These structures provide necessary support for weight bearing and movement. Pressure scanning creates a clearer diagnosis and improves a treatments outcome. Typical applications for pressure scanning:

Biomechanical investigations
Recording pressure levels of patients during walking / running gait
Neurological investigations
Evaluation of weakened ankles
Sports medicine
Evaluation of the effects of surgery on feet
Evaluation of diabetic and rheumatoid feet for ulceration sites
Evaluation of previous medical treatment upon the foot
Review of insoles / orthotics

Why Do I Need a Pressure Scan of my Feet?

Pressure scanning is useful for evaluating treatments for `at risk` feet especially patients with Rheumatoid arthritis or diabetes. Quite often patients cannot see the benefit of having certain types of treatment i.e. specially designed insoles. As a consequence patients do not comply with their treatment and `loose heart`. The usage of a pressure scanning system allows the patients to see before and after results. We can see the `before` and `after` results.

For the patient that wears specially designed insoles or orthotics it is possible to examine the effects that they have upon the foot and if they are helping to correct the patients initial foot complaint.

Some patients may undergo damage to neurological mechanisms via a trauma to the head or a stroke. Deficits can be measured with a pressure scanner, especially the mechanism of proprioreception. Patients with poor proprioreception are more prone to ankle inversion injuries or prone to falling over. Treatment plans can be formulated to improve a patient's balance with the information we receive from pressure scanning. The use of pressure scanners as an evaluation tool for balance disorders has shown to be extremely effective.