Video based analysis of dynamic midfoot function and its relationship with Foot Posture Index scores

Nielsen, R.G.; Rathleff, M.S.; Moelgaard, C.M.; Simonsen, O.; Kaalund, S.; Olesen, C.G.; Christensen, F.B.; Kersting, U.G.

doi:10.1016/j.gaitpost.2009.09.012

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Volume 31, Issue 1 , Pages 126-130, January 2010

Video based analysis of dynamic midfoot function and its relationship with Foot Posture Index scores

R.G. Nielsen
- Orthopedic Division, North Denmark Region, Aalborg Hospital, Part of Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark
- Corresponding author at: Sdr. Skovvej 11, 1st Floor, 9000 Aalborg, Denmark. Tel.: +45 61181599.
M.S. Rathleff
- Orthopedic Division, North Denmark Region, Aalborg Hospital, Part of Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark
C.M. Moelgaard
- Orthopedic Division, North Denmark Region, Aalborg Hospital, Part of Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark
O. Simonsen
- Orthopedic Division, North Denmark Region, Aalborg Hospital, Part of Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark
S. Kaalund
- Kaalund́s Orthopedic Clinic, Aalborg, Denmark
C.G. Olesen
- Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Denmark
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Aalborg University, Denmark
F.B. Christensen
- Orthopedic Division, North Denmark Region, Aalborg Hospital, Part of Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark
U.G. Kersting
- Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Denmark

Received 19 January 2009; received in revised form 10 September 2009; accepted 22 September 2009. published online 26 October 2009.

Abstract

Introduction

Various studies have demonstrated significant as well as non-significant relationships between static evaluation of foot posture and injury likelihood. Therefore, the relationship of static and dynamic measures needs to be established as in clinical settings time consuming dynamic methods are often not feasible.

Purpose

Assess reliability of a new method to quantify midfoot movement and validate the use of Foot Posture Index (FPI) classification as predictor of dynamic foot function during walking.

Method

Foot type was classified using FPI in 280 randomly selected adult participants (mean age 43.4 years). A Video Sequence Analysis (VSA) system was used to quantify midfoot kinematics during walking. Navicula drop (ΔNH) and minimal navicula height (NHL) were compared with FPI.

Results

The Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICC) for ΔNH and NHL ranged from 0.65 to 0.95 with a coefficient of repeatability of 1.4mm for ΔNH and 4.5mm for NHL. System precision was estimated at 0.99mm for ΔNH and 3.18mm for NHL. ΔNH was significantly positively correlated with FPI scores while NHL decreased with increasing FPI. However, the FPI model predicted only 13.2% of the variation in ΔNH and 45% of the variation in NHL during walking (p<0.001).

Conclusion

The VSA was proven as a reliable and precise method to quantify midfoot kinematics. FPI scores and individual components of the FPI show strong statistical relationships to dynamic measures but individual predictions remain questionable. Dynamic midfoot measures are recommended for clinical foot assessments.

Keywords: Foot kinematics, VSA, Foot Posture Index, Walking