Purpose: The purpose of this study is to describe the pedobarographic (plantar pressure) profiles of normal children across all ages, with specific focus on young children (< 6 years) and explore age-related changes in foot pressure patterns.

Method: The Tekscan HR Mat^™ system and Research Foot Module were used in a protocol involving a dynamic test of 146 normal children (age range 1.6–14.9 yrs). Using previously described methods1, relative force and timing data were obtained across five foot segments (heel, lateral midfoot, medial midfoot, lateral forefoot, and medial forefoot). An exploratory approach using analysis of variance (ANOVA) techniques followed by Scheffe post-hoc tests were conducted to determine if there were any age-related differences in foot pressure profiles in children across a priori pedobarograph variables: % of stance at initiation at the heel; % of stance at initiation at the medial midfoot; maximum % force at the heel; and maximum % force at the medial midfoot.

Results: Differences in foot force and timing profiles were distinguished across three age groups: 1) Group 1: 5 years. Data shows that with increasing age, force at the heel increases (Group 1: 61.4, Group 2: 66.9, Group 3: 71.9; p-value=0.019). Data also shows that force at the medial midfoot decreases with increasing age (Group 1: 17.7, Group 2: 8.8, Group 3: 4.7; p-value=0.0). Younger children also demonstrate early initiation of force at the medial midfoot compared to older children (Group 1: 5.9, Group 2: 33.5, Group 3: 44.8; p-value=0.0). In children > 5 years, there are no changes in foot forces or timing of forces.

Conclusion: This is the first study to provide a comprehensive description of the pedobarographic profiles of a large sample of normal children across all ages, with specific focus on the young child. Quantifying foot pressure of children will have relevance to clinical decision making.

Clubfoot is a complex three-dimensional deformity that is difficult to assess by clinical examination and conventional radiography. Pedobarography has been established as a useful technique for measuring pressure profiles of the foot, however its utility in the clubfoot population has not been established. The purpose of the present study is to describe the pedobarographic profiles of children with clubfeet and to establish the significant variables when compared with aged-matched controls.

Pedobarographic profiles were obtained using the Tekscan HR Mat Pressure Measurement System and data was analyzed using a custom built LabView program. Clubfoot patients aged 18 months to four years (n = 190) were tested and compared to aged matched controls (n = 82). Each foot was divided into five segments (heel, medial and lateral midfoot, medial and lateral forefoot) and each segment was analyzed for timing of initiation of force, timing of termination of force, force distribution, and impulse. The mean and standard deviation were calculated for each variable. Clubfoot pedobarographic means were compared to the aged matched controls and significant variables were identified using Student’s paired t-test (p < .05).

Nine of twenty-five variables were found to be significantly different in the clubfoot population. The heel showed a reduced force and impulse. The lateral mid-foot showed an increased force and impulse with an earlier initiation and later termination of forces. The medial forefoot showed a decrease force and impulse with a later initiation of force.

Pedobarography has been found to be a useful tool in the evaluation of foot pathology, but its utility in the clubfoot population has yet to be established. In this study, we describe the pedobarographic profiles of children with clubfeet and have noted significant differences when compared to age-matched controls.