A trial of the use of pedobarography in the assessment of the effectiveness of rehabilitation in patients with coxarthrosis.
BACKGROUND
Pedobarography is an evidence-based diagnostic method that allows quantitative, qualitative and repeatable measurement of pressures on every square centimetre of the sole area of the foot as well as centre of gravity sway, with graphic and numerical recording of results. The aim of the study was to assess the progress of a selected model of rehabilitation on the basis of subpedal pressure distribution and centre of gravity sway in pedobarographic examination as well as to evaluate changes in pain intensity in patients with a history of coxarthrosis.


METHODS
The study included 21 patients with Altman grade 2 coxarthrosis. A postural pedobarographic examination was performed immediately before and after a 15-day course of rehabilitation with a PEL 38 electronic pedobarograph and computer image analyser with TWINN 99 software, version 2.08.


RESULTS
Following the rehabilitation, the study group displayed a statistically significant reduction in pain intensity, improved balance between the average and maximum subpedal pressures of both feet as well as a decrease in the velocity of centre of gravity sway.


CONCLUSIONS
1. A correlation between reduced pain intensity and improved balance of loads on both feet, as well as decreased velocity of centre of gravity sway were observed in the study group after the rehabilitation. 2. The pedobarographic examination may become a new method of diagnosis and follow-up in rehabilitation. 3. Pedobarography, owing to its ease of repeatability and non-invasiveness, may constitute a valuable attempt at objective monitoring of the progress of rehabilitation and its results. 4. The study results encourage further research based on a larger cohort of patients and a control group with a multi-stage prospective design.
Rongies
Witold
W
Division of Rehabilitation, Independent Public Central Teaching Hospital, Warsaw, Poland. zakladrehabilitacji@wum.edu.pl
Bak
Agata
A
Lazar
Andrzej
A
Dolecki
Włodzimierz
W
Kolanowska-Kenczew
Tomira
T
Sierdziński
Janusz
J
Spychała
Andrzej
A
Krakowiecki
Arkadiusz
A
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005528:Foot / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015207:Osteoarthritis, Hip / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D004856:Postural Balance; D016474:Weight-Bearing