A case study of Chinese bound feet: application of footprint analysis

Coll Antropol. 2008 Jun;32(2):629-32.

Abstract

Foot print patterns of the bound feet of a 90-year-old Chinese female were made to obtain insight into the ergonomic consequences of a Chinese custom that caused significant disabilities for many women throughout history. Pressure patterns were evaluated using the techniques applied to standard thumb print analsyis. A digital summary of the pressure patterns were compared to the patterns obtained from a normal subject. The outcomes indicated that the bound foot produced greater plantar tissue pressures than the non-bound foot. These observations help explain the discomfort, gait abnormalities, and disabilities exhibited by many older women with bound feet living in China today. Although foot-binding is no longer practiced, this study offers an ergonomic perspective on a custom practiced in China for centuries.

MeSH terms

  • Aged, 80 and over
  • China
  • Culture*
  • Female
  • Foot / physiopathology*
  • Foot Deformities, Acquired / etiology
  • Foot Deformities, Acquired / pathology
  • Foot Deformities, Acquired / physiopathology*
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Pressure
  • Weight-Bearing*