The biomechanical evaluation value of plantar pressure distribution system in children’s flatfoot detection
As an important tool for modern biomechanical evaluation, the plantar pressure distribution system has shown unique clinical application value in the field of children’s foot development monitoring. Through a high-density pressure sensor array, the system can accurately record the pressure peak, pressure distribution and dynamic trajectory parameters of each anatomical area of the plantar, providing a quantitative basis for the early identification and classification diagnosis of flatfoot.
Traditional flatfoot screening relies on visual observation or imaging evaluation, which has limitations such as strong subjectivity and lack of dynamic information. Clinical studies have shown that there is no absolute correspondence between simple arch morphological indicators and functional foot disorders. The plantar pressure analysis system can obtain key parameters such as the trajectory of the pressure center in the support phase, the forefoot-hindfoot pressure ratio, and the proportion of the medial longitudinal arch load through dynamic gait monitoring. Its data sensitivity is 42%-65% higher than that of static evaluation (Sacco et al., 2020). For example, physiological flatfoot can show adaptive adjustment of pressure distribution during dynamic walking, while pathological cases show persistent medial column overload characteristics.
In the application of children, the system needs to optimize parameters in combination with growth and development characteristics. The feet of children aged 5-8 have not yet completed ossification, and the normal pressure distribution pattern has obvious age specificity. The standardized test scheme (including barefoot walking, running, single-leg standing and other multimodal movements) and the child-specific pressure sensing platform (sensor density ≥ 4/cm²) can obtain reliable data that conforms to the movement characteristics of children. Clinical verification shows that the L/R index (medial/lateral pressure ratio) established based on the pressure distribution pattern has an accuracy rate of 89.3% for pathological flat feet (Zhang et al., 2022).
The core advantage of this technology is to achieve simultaneous evaluation of structure and function. Through the reconstruction of the three-dimensional pressure cloud map, the pressure concentration phenomenon in the sinking area of the navicular bone can be intuitively displayed, and the dynamic pressure distribution entropy value can be calculated at the same time to quantitatively evaluate the effectiveness of the foot buffering mechanism. Combined with electromyographic synchronization analysis, it can also reveal deep pathological mechanisms such as posterior tibial muscle functional compensation. This makes the clinical classification shift from traditional morphological classification to biomechanical classification, providing a new basis for the formulation of personalized orthopedic programs.
At present, the application of technology still faces standardization challenges, including temperature and humidity control of the test environment, standardization of exercise speed, and children’s cooperation. The latest AI-assisted analysis system can automatically identify motion artifacts and correct data deviations through machine learning algorithms, increasing the detection success rate to more than 92% (Wang et al., 2023). Future development directions include the development of wearable dynamic monitoring devices, the establishment of a multi-center children’s foot pressure database, and the improvement of biomechanical reference standards for all age groups.
From the perspective of clinical practice, plantar pressure analysis should not be used as an isolated diagnostic tool, but should be combined with clinical examinations and imaging examinations to form a multidimensional evaluation system. For children with abnormal pressure distribution but no symptoms, a dynamic follow-up strategy is recommended; when the pressure abnormality index exceeds the threshold and is accompanied by pain symptoms, early intervention should be initiated. This precise diagnosis and treatment model based on biomechanical evidence is reshaping a new paradigm for children’s foot health management.
