Biomechanics expert at Massachusetts General Hospital Dr Jeffrey Davies has developed a new “CAFF System” (Computer Analysis of Foot Function) to diagnose foot problems and bring relief to patients with foot pain and lower body pain.

Any imbalances of the muscles, ligaments and tendons that interconnect the 26 bones of the foot can result in abnormal foot motion, which causes pain.

The CAFF system consists of a foot pressure measurement technique in which paper-thin pressure sensors allow the measurement of foot pressures in the shoe as the subject walks or runs on a treadmill. The system detects, displays, and records foot pressures and forces without interfering with normal gait walking pattern of the patient. In addition, the patient’s gait is captured on a video camera while walking or running on the treadmill. The video is then digitally analysed with a computerised system that allows for frame-by-frame analysis of the patient’s gait.