A novel gait platform to measure isolated plantar metatarsal forces during walking

A new gait platform described in this report allows an isolated measurement of the vertical and shear forces under an individual metatarsal head during barefoot walking. The apparatus incorporated a customized tactile force sensor and a high-speed camera system, which enabled easy identification of a single anatomical landmark at the forefoot’s plantar surface that is in contact with the sensor throughout stance. After calibration, the measured peak forces under the 2nd MTH showed variability of 3.7%, 9.2%, and 8.9% in vertical, anterior–posterior, and medial–lateral directions, respectively. The device therefore provides information about the magnitude and timing of such local metatarsal forces, and has been shown to be of significant research and clinical interest. Its ability to achieve this with a high degree of accuracy ensures its potential as a valuable research tool.