A video-based imaging technique for accurate foot measures during different weight bearing conditions

Current clinical foot posture assessment techniques rely on anthropometric measures of landmarks on the foot which can derive information regarding foot posture and foot problems. It has been identified that there is a source of error in these anthropometric measurements as a result of subjects having to maintain their weight bearing while balancing their examined foot on scales for the entire duration of the measurements. This study was used to investigate the errors in anthropometric measurements from two testers using calipers. Furthermore, the study was used to compare the measurements obtained from the two testers with measurements obtained using a non-invasive and less time consuming video-based measurement technique. Mannequin measurements were used to validate the technique before measurements were collected for a subject´s foot during different weight bearing conditions using the two techniques. The results of the study showed an improved accuracy for measurements involving changes in weight bearing on the foot through the video based technique. Hence, the developed technique proved to be a promising alternative to traditional caliper measurements as it can be used to study the dynamic behavior of the foot during different activities such as walking.