Comparing Plantar Pressure Distribution and Vertical Ground Reaction Force Between Healthy Subjects and Middle-aged Adults With Leg Length Discrepancy (LLD)

Abstract

Introduction: This study aimed to compare plantar pressure distribution and vertical ground reaction force between middle-aged adults with Leg Length Discrepancy (LLD) and healthy subjects.
 Materials and Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 21 middle-aged adults with leg length discrepancy (1.5 to 3 cm), and 10 healthy subjects participated. The plantar pressure distribution of subjects was measured using five steps with an emed platform. The data were analyzed with paired t-test, 1-way ANOVA, and symmetry index (P≤0.05).
 Results: While the symmetry index did not show much asymmetry in healthy subjects, in LLD subjects, it showed lower contact time in the heel region of short limb, lower pressure, and force of the middle region of short limb, the higher pressure of forefoot region of short limb and higher pressure and force of long limb.
 Conclusion: It seems that the primary contact time and weight acceptance of short limb reduced that results in higher pressure of forefoot region of the foot before push-off phase. Therefore, to dispel this problem, the LLD subjects could use orthotics to make reasonable height to the heel region and thus increase the contact time.