Abstract
Dynamic changes during walking were evaluated in kyphotic patients by measuring load pressure using an F-SCAN, a sensor that facilitates measurement of plantar pressure. The subjects consisted of kyphotic patients demonstrating severe thoracic kyphosis and more than 1 old compression fracture at the transitional zone between the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae. The results of analysis in these patients were compared with those in healthy subjects. As a structural evaluation, plumb-line shift from the central sacral line (P-CSL) in a standing profile was correlated with changes in load pressure. The types of central loci of the plantar pressure were analyzed in these two groups, the total load between heel contact and toe off was evaluated in the respective locus, and the integrates and load duration were also determined in the respective compartments after dividing the plantar region into the following 4 compartments : heel, plantar arch, anterior foot, and toe. kyphotic patients maintain their anteroposterior equilibrium during walking by shifting the centroid in the posterior direction, a P-CSL. Therefore, the F-SCAN demonstrated an increased proportion of weightbearing at the heel. Points of application of the centroid in the planta pedis were almost identical between kyphotic patients and healthy subjects during natural standing. Therefore, it was considered that kyphotic patients maintain their anteroposterior equilibrium by increased integrates at the heel (prolongation of load times at the heel) . That is, the interval between heel contact and plantar contact tended to increase with the degree of anterior P-CSL.
