New image-processing system for analysis, display and measurement of static and dynamic foot pressures.

A new image-processing system, using a video digitiser with an IBM-compatible PC/AT, is developed for acquisition and processing of low-contrast, low-intensity barographic images of both feet for assessment of pressure distribution during standing and walking. Data displays, in the form of centres of pressures, isopressures contours, perspective views of pressures, grey scale image and walking pressure patterns, combined image of walking pressures, paths of centres of pressures and pressure variations with time, are developed. These have provided very useful and early information regarding the internal structural changes in the bones of the foot and sites at risk of ulcer development in leprosy subjects and enable suitable corrective orthopaedic procedures to be adopted.