Pedobarography: A Review on Methods and Practical Use in Foot Disorders

Pedobarographic examination is a non-invasive method that enables the quantitative and qualitative evaluation of plantar pressure distribution, notably the plantar pressure distribution, referring to the function of the entire musculoskeletal system. This is a scoping review that aims to update knowledge on the practical use of pedobarography in foot disorders. We also attempted to systematize the methodological principles of conducting the pedobarographic examination. We searched Medline/PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews for the articles on the methodology of pedobarography. The search encompassed clinical trials, randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and reviews published in English between January 1982 and February 2021. The literature distinguishes three different types of examinations: static, postural, and dynamic. The rationale for each is presented. The review pointedly shows the unique use of pedobarography for the quantitative and qualitative evaluations of the plantar pressure distribution. It also points to the need for enhancing the awareness among medical professionals of the method and advantages it provides for patient management. Shortcomings of the method are discussed of which the difficulty in establishing the cause-and-effect relationship of foot disorders is the most disturbing as it limits the comparative verification of results of different studies. There also appears a need for developing standardized algorithmic protocols and recommendations to seamlessly perform pedobarography in clinical settings, which would help make wider use of this valuable tool.