Foot Anthropometry: A Forensic and Prosthetic Application

Foot dimensions/measurements are important in prosthetic designs, fabrication and fittings and its application in height estimation is continually being investigated. Objectives The present study examines the relationship between height and foot dimensions in the Igbos, Nigeria, for forensic and prosthetic application. Materials and Methods Height (Y), Foot length (FL), foot height (FH) foot breath (FB), and bimalleolar breadth (BMB) of 211subjects comprising of 123 females and 88 males were measured after obtaining an informed consent. The data obtained were analyzed using SPSS 17.0. Results Sex differences were found to be highly significant (P less than 0.0001) for all the measurements with males having higher values than the females. The multiple linear regression generated using BMB, FB, and FL provide the highest reliability and accuracy (R= 0.616) in both genders together than the simple linear regression generated using FL, (R= 0.555). For the females, the highest reliability and accuracy was obtained using FL, (R= 0.481) only, while the multiple linear regression generated using BMB and FL provide that of the male's (R= 0.500). Conclusion The foot dimensions obtained here would be useful in the design and fabrication of foot prosthesis and orthosis for the Igbos, Nigeria, which would help to approximate the normal gait incases of amputation of lower extremity. The generated linear and multiple regressions models are of utmost importance in height reconstruction for the study population in cases of mass/man-made disaster or crime investigation.