Biomechanical analysis of foot function during gait and clinical applications

Temporal and distance gait factors, foot-switch contact patterns, ankle/subtalar joint motion, and center of foot pressure distribution have been used to evaluate normal and abnormal foot mechanics. A normal control group and selected patients with well defined pathologic conditions were studied to examine the effectiveness of this method. Biomechanical observations reflect the clinical pathologic condition. Abnormalities involving the forefoot, midfoot, and hindfoot are most suitable for analyzing center of foot pressure. Ankle and subtalar problems are studied by motion analysis, with the subject walking on different ground conditions.