ICHNOGRAM

ICHNOGRAM (from Greek ichnos-track and gramma-image), an image of footprints according to the method proposed by Gilles de la Tourette for analyzing gait. The technique of ichnography is simple: the soles of the subject are covered with printer's ink (easily washable after the experiment with turpentine and soapy water), which when the subject walks along a long strip of paper gives clear prints of their footprints. On the paper, a straight line is previously marked along the entire length in the middle, the direction of which the subject must follow. For the accuracy of subsequent analysis, it is necessary to fix the initial position of the subject's soles when standing at the beginning of the middle line. The I. is studied according to the following points: symmetry of gait—both in terms of assessing the general deviation of the series of footprints, and in terms of assessing the degree of deviation of each footprint from the middle line; |// ) f j) correctness of foot position—by assessing the angle formed by the axis of the footprint with the middle line; size of steps; degree of foot lift (ink smudges from toes or heel); uniformity of pressure on the sole, as well as the shape of the sole itself (high arch, flat foot). An I. of normal gait is shown in the figure. The ichnography method is very useful for detecting minor gait disorders that are difficult to account for during ordinary observation.