Dynamic foot function test

What Is A Dynamic Foot Function Test?

This is a test to accurately measure pressure and forces that are acting on the foot while walking or running. Thin insoles (0.1021mm) each with 950 pressure sensors are placed inside your shoes, between your foot and the shoe. The information detected by the insoles is relayed to a computer for analysis. It gives us important data such as how high the forces are, where they are, and how long they are acting on a particular part of the foot. This technology now allows us to see what was previously the unseeable.

Who Will Benefit From A Foot Function Test?

Your presenting foot or lower limb problem may be a result of poor foot or biomechanical function which may be placing excessive strain or overload on certain structures, causing pain and effecting mobility. A dynamic foot function test will determine if your problem is a result of abnormal force or pressure injuring certain structures within the foot or aggravating other areas of the body like the knees, hip and back.  

If you are an athlete, recreational sportsman or walker a foot function test will allow us to structure your rehabilitation from injury or determine if preventative treatment is required. Shoe selection for your particular sport and problem can now be done with more precision.

If you have been prescribed orthoses or any other type of shoe inserts a foot function test will assist in determining how well they are performing. Any modifications that have been made to your orthoses can now be reassessed for accuracy. This technology eliminates the guesswork, which previously occurred with modifications and prescription of functional orthoses.

If you are a diabetic, this test will be able to tell us where the highest-pressure areas are on your feet and therefore the most likely area an ulcer will form. More importantly it tells us how long the pressure is acting on the foot.  This is particularly important when you have nerve damage (neuropathy) and poor circulation accompanying your diabetes. Accurately predicting a potential ulceration site and early intervention will eliminate serious complications such as amputation.

Patients who have had foot surgery may also benefit from this assessment. It pin points where excessive force or pressure may be acting on the foot to delay healing of the surgery or may be aggravating it. The dynamic foot function test may therefore provide the opportunity to improve on the results of surgery through other interventions. 

If you require a foot check, which many people choose to do every 1-2 years a dynamic foot function test will allow us to keep a record of vital measurements collected. These measurements can then be compared with any future recordings. Footmed is now able to keep a record of your foot function by being able to accurately monitor changes that occur over time.

  Podiatrists specialise in the care of the foot & ankle. Whether it be a minor or major problem, see a Podiatrist in regard to any foot or ankle problem.

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