Measurement of pressure under the foot during function

The design of a suitable transducer to measure the pressure under the foot it presented. The transducer is attached to the sole of the foot and can, if required, be worn inside shoes. A system is described using up to 16 transducers, the analogue signals from which are digitised online and stored on magnetic tape for subsequent computer analysis. Examples of the data obtained form patients with arthritic involvement of the feet and from normal subjects, both walking with and without shoes, are given. The importance of the clinical application of this type of measurement is discussed.