EVALUATION OF ACL DISEASE USING A WIRELESS FOOT PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION MEASURING INSTRUMENT

One of the methods for abnormalities motion is the gait analysis using the analysis
of plantar pressure distribution. This method is not only very costly but also it needs the adequate space to
locate the equipment; in some cases connection of the accessories to the patient leads to the limitation of
the patient’s motions. The aim of this study was to recognize the ACL disease using a non-invasive and
cost-efficient method with less limitation for the patient. This method can also provide accurate
qualitative and quantitative results for both static and moving conditions.
Materials & Methods: In this research, a non-invasive device with 16 FSR sensors and the capability of
wireless transmission of data via RF module was applied on the ACL patients. The study was carried out
on 18 mature males in 3 group including: 6 healthy persons as the control group, 6 patients with ACL in
right leg, and 6 patients with ACL in the left leg. After wearing the shoes equipped with FSR sensors the
data from sensors under pressure points of patients soles in static and moving conditions were
transmitted to a processor and then to the wireless computer. Received data were sent to the software
developed by C Sharp and then processed. The color of under pressure areas on the images of the right
and left legs sole illustrated on the monitor were changed according to the applied pressure on the
sensors. After 5 seconds, the color changed for each one of the sensors in the right and left legs were
plotted in the form of a graph.
Results: The results showed that there was no statistically significant difference between the average
pressures of the right and left legs in the control group in both static and motion conditions (P>0.05).
However comparing the average pressure of the corresponding sensors in the left and right legs for two
categories of ACL patients and the average pressure of right and left legs in static and moving conditions,
a significant difference was detected (P<0.05). In addition, comparing the average pressure of the left legs
in left Leg ACL patients and control category and the average pressure of the right legs in right leg ACL
patients and control category in static and motion conditions a significant difference was detected
(P<0.05).
Conclusions: Considering the results, it seems that this device is able to evaluate the ACL disease with a
non-invasive and cost-efficient method with less limitation for the patient through real-time and
simultaneous illustration of the results and accurate information.