POSTERIOR CENTRE-OF-PRESSURE DISPLACEMENT AND PAIN INTENSITY IN NON-SPECIFIC HEEL PAIN: A SENSOR PLATE OBSERVATIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Background: Heel pain does not always come from one clearly identifiable structure. In some people, the
way body weight is held and transferred may keep the centre of pressure too far back, placing extra stress
on the heel. A sensor plate can show this pattern and help explain why pain continues even when routine
examination does not reveal a definite local cause.
Aim: To study whether a backward shift of the centre of pressure is related to the intensity of heel pain in
people with non-specific heel pain.
Methodology: This observational study involved 50 participants aged 20 to 70 years who had non-specific
heel pain. Age, body measurements, duration and side of pain, and Visual Analogue Scale scores were
recorded. Sensor plate assessment was used to measure posterior centre-of-pressure shift, forefoot and
hindfoot loading, plantar pressure, and overall loading pattern. The relationship between these
measurements and pain intensity was analysed statistically.
Results: The participants had a mean age of 39.28 ± 11.19 years, a mean BMI of 27.28 ± 3.63 kg/m², and a
mean VAS score of 3.90 ± 1.13. A greater backward shift of the centre of pressure was associated with
higher heel pain (r = 0.645, p < 0.001). Hindfoot loading also showed a strong positive relationship with
pain (r = 0.746, p < 0.001). Participants with greater posterior loading generally reported more severe pain.
Conclusion: People with non-specific heel pain tended to show a backward weight-bearing pattern. The
farther the centre of pressure moved toward the heel, the greater the reported pain. Sensor plate assessment
may therefore help clinicians identify hidden loading problems and plan treatment beyond the painful area
alone.