INTRODUCTION
Foot dynamometer is an instrument to measure the grip of intrinsic muscles of foot & strengthen it, so that it paves the way for normal foot movements.
NEED FOR THE EQUIPMENT
To assess the degree of weakness and to determine the effect of strengthening intrinsic muscles, a valid and reliable measure of intrinsic muscle strength is needed.
There are diverse methods available for measuring intrinsic muscle properties, but there is lack of agreement regarding the most appropriate measure of strength.
There is no widely accepted method for measuring the intrinsic foot muscle strength.
Methods to estimate toe flexor muscle strength include the paper grip test, plantar pressure, toe dynamometry, and the intrinsic positive test which provides the results that are not accurate.
Hand-held dynamometry has excellent interrater and intrarater reliability and limits toe curling, which is an action hypothesised to activate extrinsic toe flexor muscles.
However, it is unclear whether any method can actually isolate intrinsic muscle strength.
Also most methods measure only toe flexor strength and other actions such as toe extension and abduction have not been adequately assessed.
To meet these requirements an attempt is made to come up with an equipment ‘ FOOT DYNAMOMETER’.
Bharat Kumar, Physiotherapist
Inventor of Foot Dynamometer