Article

The present study investigated the reliability of an innovative ultrasound foot
scanner system in assessing the thickness and stiffness of plantar soft tissue
and the comparison of stiffness and thickness in sitting and standing. Fifteen
young healthy individuals were examined. The target sites on the foot sole for
investigation included the heel pad, the fifth metatarsal head, the second
metatarsal head, the first metatarsal head, and the pulp of the hallux. The test
(day 1) and retest (day 2) were performed 1 week apart at the exact time with
humidity and temperature of the assessment room under control. The thickness and
stiffness of the plantar soft tissue obtained in sitting and standing positions
on day 1 were used for comparison. The results showed significant test-retest
reliability [intraclass correlation coefficient(3,2)>0.90, P<0.001] at all five
sites in both sitting and standing positions. When changing from sitting to
standing, the plantar soft tissue became significantly thinner (with decrease
ranging from 10 to 14% at various sites) and stiffer (with increase ranging from
123 to 164% at various sites, all P<0.05). The present innovative system is a
reliable device for the measurement of the thickness and stiffness of plantar
soft tissue in either the sitting or the standing position. The change in
positions from sitting to standing resulted in a significant thinning and
stiffening of plantar soft tissues. This system could be a potential clinical
device to monitor the biomechanical properties of plantar tissue in the elderly
or in patients with diseases such as diabetes to estimate the risk of developing
foot ulcer or other foot complications.

Langue : ANGLAIS