Validation of Algometry for Use in the Human Foot

The primary aim is to examine whether there is a consistent range of pressure threshold values for the asymptomatic foot.Previous studies established the inter/intra-clinician reliability of pressure threshold measuring and have established a normative range of values within the trunk and upper body. Since the establishment of these values, pressure threshold testing has been used extensively in the head, neck, shoulders and spine as a clinical tool and a research aid. There has been little work using it in the lower limb and there are no guideline measurements for the clinician. By establishing a range of values for the foot,this study will enable the clinician to employ pressure threshold measuring as a clinical tool to easily and accurately identify areas of dysfunction and to objectively measure the effectiveness of treatment. It will allow the clinician to establish a degree of improvement or deterioration as it occurs in a patient's condition.

Secondary aims are to examine whether there is a correlation between visual analogue pain scale (VAS) scores and algometric pressure threshold scores for subjects with forefoot pain. This will help validate the tool for use in the foot. Since VAS is well documented and validated, this study will examine whether there is a correlation between VAS and algometry and whether there are gender or age differences in the range of measurements obtained. These areas have been addressed in previous studies but results have been contradictory and inconclusive and none of the previous studies focused on the foot.

An asymptomatic group of 384 subjects & symptomatic group of 160 subjects shall be selected from those attending a podiatric clinic for routine foot care who meet the inclusion criteria . Outcome me will be algometric pressure threshold testing, visual analogue pain scales and foot function index questionnaires.