Can RSScan footscan® D3D™ software predict injury in a military population following plantar pressure assessment? A prospective cohort study

Background

Injury in initial military training is common with incidences from 25 to 65% of recruits sustaining musculoskeletal injury. Risk factors for injury include extrinsic factors such as rapid onset of high volume training, but intrinsic factors such as lower limb biomechanics and foot type. Prediction of injury would allow more effective training delivery, reduce manpower wastage and improve duty of care to individuals by addressing potential interventions. Plantar pressure interpretation of footfall has been shown to reflect biomechanical intrinsic abnormality although no quantifiable method of risk stratification exists.

Objective

To identify if pressure plate assessment of walking gait is predictive of injury in a military population.

Method

200 male subjects commencing Naval Officer training were assessed by plantar pressure plate recording, of foot contact pressures. A software interpretation, D3D™, stratified the interpretation to measure 4 specific areas of potential correction. Participants were graded as to high, medium and low risk of injury and subsequently followed up for injury through their basic training.

Results

Seventy two percent of all injuries were attributed to subjects in the high and medium risk of injury as defined by the risk categorization. 47% of all injuries were sustained in the high-risk group. Participants categorized in the high-risk group for injury were significantly more likely to sustain injury than in medium or low groups (p < 0.001, OR 5.28 with 95% CI 2.88, 9.70).

Conclusions

Plantar pressure assessment of risk for overuse lower limb injury can be predictive of sustaining an overuse injury in a controlled training environment.