If your children complain of pain in their heels, knees, lower back, or during walking, this is definitely something you should not ignore. In children, the arch of the foot develops until around the age of 12, and any problems related to it may appear until about 14 years old. How can you tell if this pain is just occasional or a symptom of an underlying condition? The answer lies in a foot pressure analysis, also known as a pedobarography. What is a pedobarography, when is it necessary, and for what reasons is it performed?
A pedobarography is an examination in which the shape of the foot is digitally recorded, and the distribution of pressure during standing and walking is analyzed. This is done using a special device called a digital pedobarograph, which contains thousands of sensors that capture detailed information about the foot’s pressure and morphology.
Procedure and stages of the examination
The pedobarography examination is simple, painless, and enjoyable for the child, who often perceives it as a game. The examination is conducted in two phases:
- Static phase.The child stands still so that the pedobarograph can analyze stability, measuring distances, angles, and the surface area of support.
- Dynamic phase – The child walks across the pedobarograph while the device analyzes the pressure on the foot at various stages of the gait cycle.
When a Pedobarography is Necessary
A pedobarography is considered necessary in children in order to identify and diagnose possible problems such as:
- Flat feet (pes planus)
- High arches (pes cavus)
- Heel valgus (valgus deformity of the heel)
- Plantar fasciitis
- Kyphosis
- Scoliosis
- Hyperlordosis
- Pain and stiffness in the joints of the feet and lower back
- Gait disorders
- Hammer toes
- Claw toes
- Other contributing factors
If a condition is detected, specialists may recommend the use of custom-made orthotic insoles, which can relieve the child from pain and help prevent the development of similar conditions in the future. Pedobarography can be performed from the age of 5–6 years and can play a crucial role in the proper development of the child.
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