A novel way to acquire foot contour measurements of remotely located patients having foot deformities

Abstract

In developing countries, patients with disabilities are often deprived of getting treated at rehabilitation centres with modern equipments and technologies. In India as per the 2011 census about 2.21% of the population suffer with disabilities due to either visual, auditory, speech or locomotor dysfunctions. Locomotor disability is seen predominantly in about 20.27% of patients amongst the various other disabilities. Measurement of the foot deformities is very essential for the fabrication of orthosis. The techniques of foot measurement that are presently used needs either the patient's foot outline measurement to be sent to the rehabilitation centre or cast measurement to be taken using plaster of paris mould. The need of the hour is for a technique that is quick and doesn't require the patient to visit the rehabilitation centre. This paper suggests a method in which the digital photograph of the foot outline of a remotely located patient would help to acquire the required dimensions of the foot. The developed technique of measuring foot outline has been validated by comparing n=103 pairs of digital photographs of patient's foot outline with that of the manual method of measurement. Error in measurement using this technique was found to be 2.83 ±0.39mm. Also Pearson correlation coefficient of measured foot length and width were 0.991±0.005 for a 95% Confidence Interval and was very significant (p<;0.001). Acquiring foot measurement of remotely located patients through these methods can help the clinical experts in the rehabilitation centre fabricate appropriate foot wear or orthotic device for the patient.