A Multi-Axis Plantar Load Measurement Platform for the Assessment of Foot Disorders: Comparison of Patients With Psoriatic Arthritis to a Healthy Control Cohort.
8 affiliations
- 1STORM Lab UK, School of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.
- 2Institute for Manufacturing, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
- 3Institute of Design, Robotics and Manufacturing, School of Mechanical Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.
- 4Leeds Institute of Rheumatic & Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds, Chapel Allerton Hospital, Leeds, UK.
- 5Podiatry Department, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, UK.
- 6NIHR Leeds Biomedical Research Centre, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, UK.
- 7School of Health, Social Work and Sport, University of Lancashire, Preston, UK.
- 8Rheumatology Department, Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, St Luke's Hospital, Bradford, UK.
Abstract
Background
Accurate assessment of plantar loading, including shear forces, is crucial for understanding foot pathologies such as dactylitis in psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Existing devices predominantly measure plantar pressures, neglecting important shear stresses which may initiate dactylitis. This study presents a novel multi-axis plantar load measurement platform to address this gap.Methods
The study utilised a newly developed plantar load measurement system, comprising a Hall-effect-based magnetic sensing array, custom data logging electronics, and tailored data processing software. The system's efficacy was evaluated in a pilot feasibility study involving patients with PsA with no, current, or previous dactylitis, and healthy controls. Participants walked barefoot on the platform, capturing plantar shear and pressure data.Findings
Shear stresses were notably higher in the second to fourth rays compared to other regions, particularly in the left foot, aligning with the hypothesis that repetitive local trauma might initiate dactylitis in PsA. However, no consistent differences in stresses were observed between diagnostic groups, likely due to small sample sizes and gait alterations associated with pain. A marked asymmetry was observed between the right and left feet, suggesting dominant-foot placement effects.Interpretation
The new platform demonstrates potential clinical utility in capturing comprehensive foot-loading profiles, including critical shear stresses previously under-assessed. Although the current pilot study was limited in number, the results support the theory that local mechanical stresses may contribute to PsA-related dactylitis. Future larger-scale studies are needed to clarify these findings and overcome limitations related to altered gait patterns due to foot pain.
Related
- Temporomandibular disorders in women with psoriatic arthritis by history of psoriasis: a cross-sectional study.
- Assessment of audiovestibular function in patients with psoriatic arthritis: a cross-sectional controlled study
- Dual-informant clinical outcome assessment in the inclusive orchestra: measurement architecture for neurodevelopmental disorders prior to empirical evaluation
- Resolution of Nail Abnormalities in Psoriatic Arthritis
- Cutaneous Deterioration Following Glucocorticoid Discontinuation in Psoriatic Arthritis: A Real-World Cohort Study
BibTeX
@article{jones2026multiaxis,
title = {{A Multi-Axis Plantar Load Measurement Platform for the Assessment of Foot Disorders: Comparison of Patients With Psoriatic Arthritis to a Healthy Control Cohort.}},
author = {Dominic Jones and Lefan Wang and Max Houghton and Jennifer Jones and Richard A Wilkins and Heidi J Siddle and Graham J Chapman and Ali Alazmani and Peter Culmer and Philip S Helliwell},
journal = {Journal of foot and ankle research},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1002/jfa2.70216},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42876019},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - A Multi-Axis Plantar Load Measurement Platform for the Assessment of Foot Disorders: Comparison of Patients With Psoriatic Arthritis to a Healthy Control Cohort.
AU - Dominic Jones
AU - Lefan Wang
AU - Max Houghton
AU - Jennifer Jones
AU - Richard A Wilkins
AU - Heidi J Siddle
AU - Graham J Chapman
AU - Ali Alazmani
AU - Peter Culmer
AU - Philip S Helliwell
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/30
JO - Journal of foot and ankle research
DO - 10.1002/jfa2.70216
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42876019
AB - Background Accurate assessment of plantar loading, including shear forces, is crucial for understanding foot pathologies such as dactylitis in psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Existing devices predominantly measure plantar pressures, neglecting important shear stresses which may initiate dactylitis. This study presents a novel multi-axis plantar load measurement platform to address this gap.Methods The study utilised a newly developed plantar load measurement system, comprising a Hall-effect-based magnetic sensing array, custom data logging electronics, and tailored data processing software. The system's efficacy was evaluated in a pilot feasibility study involving patients with PsA with no, current, or previous dactylitis, and healthy controls. Participants walked barefoot on the platform, capturing plantar shear and pressure data.Findings Shear stresses were notably higher in the second to fourth rays compared to other regions, particularly in the left foot, aligning with the hypothesis that repetitive local trauma might initiate dactylitis in PsA. However, no consistent differences in stresses were observed between diagnostic groups, likely due to small sample sizes and gait alterations associated with pain. A marked asymmetry was observed between the right and left feet, suggesting dominant-foot placement effects.Interpretation The new platform demonstrates potential clinical utility in capturing comprehensive foot-loading profiles, including critical shear stresses previously under-assessed. Although the current pilot study was limited in number, the results support the theory that local mechanical stresses may contribute to PsA-related dactylitis. Future larger-scale studies are needed to clarify these findings and overcome limitations related to altered gait patterns due to foot pain.
SN - 1757-1146
ER -