An Analysis of Arches of Foot: A Comparison between Ink Foot Print Method and Custom Made Podoscope Device Method

The present study aimed to assess the validity of the podoscopic images compared with ink footprint methods (comparing the two different methods using the same parameters). Objective: The evaluation of the reliability and accuracy of arch angle (AA) is the purpose of this paper's study. It includes Chippaux-Smirak Index (CSI), Staheli Index (SI), and Arch Index (AI) by comparing footprints obtained from ink footprint and custom-made podoscopic footprints. Methods: Measurements of AA, CSI, SI, and AI are obtained from ink footprints and custom-made podoscope among 416 healthy participants (aged 21 to 65). Accuracy and reliability were calculated for all the footprint indices obtained using the two methods. Minimal detectable change and the Standard error (SE) of measurement were also calculated. Results: SPSS Statistical software (version 20) at 95% confidence interval was used to execute and observe the statistical analysis. Descriptive analysis was used to calculate the Mean and standard deviations (SD). The intrarater reliability of ink footprints and podoscopic footprints were analyzed using Intraclass correlation (IC) executed at 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Reliability of the podoscopic method was interpreted when the values (≥0.75) as excellent, (0.4-0.74) as moderate, and (0-0.39) as poor. Our study reported that AA, CSI, SI, and AI obtained from the ink footprints and podoscope had high intrarater reliability and reproducible. The podoscope was designed in a lightweight manner for transportation purposes and utilized in under-served and rural areas. This custom-made device may be utilized in orthopedics, and it can also be used to collect data and for diagnostic purposes.