Foot Kinematics: Models Used to Study Feet in Children with Cerebral Palsy

Abstract

Individuals with cerebral palsy often have functional deficits in their feet that adversely affect their gait. In order to effectively treat these deficits, an accurate description of the function of the individual’s foot function is necessary. The foot is a complex structure with many intrinsic components. Traditionally, the foot’s function has been measured through physical exams, pedobarographs, force plates, and a single-segment approximation in motion analysis. With improvements in technology, it has become clinically practical to measure the kinematics of the foot using multiple segments. These models provide the clinician with information and insight into the function of intrinsic structures of the foot, while the foot performs an actual task. This chapter will explore the limitations of non-motion analysis measurement techniques, and the traditional single foot model. The multisegmented foot model will be introduced with a discussion of its limitations. Finally, the advantages and utility of the multisegmented foot model will be demonstrated through normative and clinical examples.