Summary
Functional results regarding shoe modifications, gait analysis and long-term durability
of the reconstructed foot have not been reported using insole paedobarography. This
article presents insole-paedobarographic gait analysis and discusses the various pressure
distribution patterns following the reconstruction of the foot. This retrospective
study reports on the clinical and functional results in 23 out of 39 patients who
received flap coverage of their feet in our department in the period from 2001 to
2010. Mean follow-up time amounted to 46.6 months. Patients were separated into two
groups, those with flap coverage to the sole of the foot (group 1) and those with
flap coverage to non-weight-bearing areas of the foot (group 2). Gait analysis was
accomplished by using insole paedobarography. The results of the gait analysis have
shown that in both patient groups, when comparing affected feet with sound feet, the
affected feet were exposed to significantly less support time (group 1; affected vs.
sound feet: 0.44 ± 0.07 s vs. 0.55 ± 0.11 s, p = 0.047), (group 2; affected vs. sound feet: 0.47 ± 0.07 s vs. 0.54 ± 0.07 s, p = 0.029). In addition, in both patient groups, the analysis of peak-pressure distributions
revealed greater pressures on the affected feet compared to the sound feet (group
1; affected vs. sound feet: 47.9 ± 10.13 N cm−2 vs. 36.3 ± 7.5 N cm−2, p = 0.008), (group 2; affected vs. sound feet: 38.08 ± 13.98 N cm−2 vs. 32.92 ± 14.77 N cm−2, p = 0.061). The insole paedobarography can contribute to a more precise gait analysis
following a soft-tissue reconstruction not only of the sole but also of other foot
regions as well. It can help to identify and correct movement sequences and peak-pressure
distributions which are damaging to the flaps. The resulting potential minimisation
of the ulceration rate can lead to a further optimisation in the rate of completely
rehabilitated patients and a reduction in the revision rate.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: December 02, 2011
Accepted:
November 8,
2011
Received:
September 2,
2011
Identification
Copyright
© 2011 British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
