Use of Tekscan Matscan(R) to Detect Static Rearfoot Position Through the Evaluation of Rearfoot Pressure

The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that a biomechanical pressure mat system would reliably detect static rearfoot position based on static heel pressure analysis compared to clinical examination by a licensed podiatrist. Static plantar pressure profiles of 35 subjects across a wide age range (20-89 years; mean age + or - SD, 41.0 + or - 22.1 years) were obtained using a biomechanical pressure mat system. Subjects with acute injury or clinical evidence of calcaneal fat pad atrophy were excluded from the study. Each subject underwent static plantar pressure assessment by standing barefoot on the calibrated pressure mat with feet in rectus position. A one frame "snapshot" (digital foot pressure image) of both right and left feet was recorded once the subject was standing in a static state. A non-significant chi-square (p= .365 (p