mobiLLD: Exploring the Detection of Leg Length Discrepancy and Altering Gait with Mobile Smart Insoles
Denys J. C. Matthies, Don Samitha Elvitigala, Annis Fu, Deborah Yin, Suranga Nanayakkara
Abstract
Leg length discrepancy (LLD) is common and typically burdens the spine and hip causing a variety of health issues including back pain and headache. Common orthopaedic solutions target correcting gait, typically by shoe lifts. Moreover, functional LLD can be temporary as it occurs after an injury or even after sitting in a twisted posture. Often, it is only noticeable when pain has arisen. We present a mobile smart insole system designed to detect LLD by measuring gait parameters, such as Stance Time, Ground Reaction Force, and Center of Pressure. Furthermore, our prototype is capable of augmenting vibrotactile feedback under the foot. Our method has shown to impact gait, in particular Stance Time, which may be used to compensate gait asymmetries caused by LLD. To evidence our findings, we rely on a similar methodology from related lab studies and induced a mild LLD by a 10mm offset insole among 16 participants.