As a collaborative purchase with the National Centre for Prosthetics and Orthotics at La Trobe University, the Podiatry Department is now the proud owner of a Novel PEDAR™ in-shoe plantar pressure measuring insole system. This is a mobile unit (ie. it is untethered from the analysing computer) allowing much greater freedom of movement for users. Measuring pressure between the foot and the shoe, these insoles elicit important data unobtainable using a conventional external force plate.

This system will be invaluable in obtaining pressure data on a wide-ranging group of upcoming research projects in both the Podiatry and NCPO. These include trials involving participants with rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes mellitus and chronic lower back pain.

Pictured at right is lecturer Craig Payne demonstrating the use of the system.