The influence of idiopathic scoliosis on load distribution in the foot

Pedobarography is used more and more often in such fields as orthopaedics, traumatology, neurology, diabetology or rehabilitation. The aim of this work has been to evaluate the effects of right-side idiopathic thoracic scolioses and changes in angular values of physiological curvatures of the spine on sub-pedal pressure distribution. TWINN 99 software assisted PEL-38 measuring platform and Penny & Giles tensiometric electrogoniometre were used in the study which was carried out on the population of 30 girls with right-side idiopathic thoracic scoliosis. The girls exhibited a mild degree of scoliosis. The control was made up of a group of 30 healthy girls with no musculoskeletal system pathology. The girls in both groups were 10 years old. Measurements of spinal curvatures and distribution of sub-pedal pressure forces were carried out three times daily, always at the same time. The analysis of the results has shown that right-side idiopathic thoracic scoliosis leads to higher pressure being imposed on the halux and convex front part of the foot. Such pressure distribution stems from flattening of the thoracic kyphosis and enhancement of lumbar lordosis. The shift of the gravity centre to the front and to the right can as a result exacerbate the pathology not only in the foot, but also in the whole lower limb at the scoliotic side.