In our daily life, we often hear the word “flat feet”. When many parents take their children to see a doctor, the first thing the doctor says is: “Let’s do a foot scan first.” So, how does a foot scanner help doctors determine flat feet? How are different types of flat feet distinguished? Today, we will use an easy-to-understand article to take you closer to this professional test.
What is a foot scanner?
A foot scanner is a device that uses optical or pressure sensing technology to perform three-dimensional or two-dimensional imaging of the sole of the foot. It can accurately record key data such as the structure, pressure distribution, and center of gravity movement trajectory of the sole of the foot, helping doctors analyze the health of the foot from multiple dimensions.
How to determine whether it is flat feet?
The doctor will first ask the patient to stand on the foot scanner and maintain a natural standing state. Through the data collected by the scanner, the system will generate a foot pressure map or foot shape map. The foot image of a normal arch is “butterfly-shaped” with an arch in the middle; while the image of a flat foot is mostly “the whole piece is on the ground” with obvious arch collapse.
Doctors mainly use the following parameters to judge flat feet:
Arch Height Index: The lower the arch, the smaller the index. Usually, flat feet are below the standard value.
Arch Contact Area: The larger the contact area of the arch area, the more serious the arch collapse.
Flat feet are also classified
Not all flat feet are the same. Doctors will combine the scan results with gait analysis to preliminarily determine which type of flat feet belongs to:
Flexible Flatfoot: The arch collapses when standing, but the arch recovers when standing on tiptoes. It is more common in children, and some people can heal themselves as they grow.
Rigid Flatfoot: Whether standing or not, the arch collapses, often accompanied by bone abnormalities, and early intervention is required.
Secondary Flatfoot: Arch collapse caused by impaired posterior tendon function, trauma or disease is more common in adults.
Professional judgment is only the first step
Through the plantar scanner, doctors can make a clear diagnosis and further decide whether to wear corrective insoles, do gait training, or even consider surgical treatment. For parents, early detection of children’s foot conditions is the key to preventing the development of flat feet.
The plantar scanner not only makes the “invisible” arch problem clear and visible, but also allows doctors to diagnose the type of flat feet more accurately.
A simple scan may be the beginning of changing a child’s gait for life. Pay attention to foot health and start with a professional plantar scan!
