This is an observational, prospective study that aims to evaluate the effect of
acromegalic disease and medical/surgical therapy on acral morpho-functional alterations.
To outline the morphological characteristics of the extremities (hands and feet), a
three-dimensional laser scanning system will be used able to measure the geometrical and
volumetric characteristics of the hands and feet of these subjects. The three-dimensional
scanning system that will be used is the portable FastScan system (marketed by Rodin),
previously used for the volumetric evaluation of the lower and upper limbs of subjects
suffering from lymphedema and lipedema. The processing of the image and the parameters
will be carried out through two softwares: Rodin4DScan, which carries out the
reconstruction of the shape after the scan, and Rodin4D, which allows the construction of
the final shape and allows the processing of the various parameters to the morphology of
the extremity.
The following tests will be used to characterize posture and balance control during
walking:
maintenance of the bipedal indifferent orthostatic posture, with open and closed
eyes;
walking on level ground, barefoot, at natural speed (10 m walking test)
The instrumentation (BTS GAITLAB) that will be used consists of:
8-camera stereophotogrammetric system (SMART DX, BTS-Bioengineering, IT);
two dynamometric platforms (AMTI, USA);
a baropodometric platform (P-WALK; BTS-Bioengineering, IT).
The variables analyzed will be divided according to the administered tests:
maintenance of the orthostatic posture: anteroposterior and mediolateral excursion
of the center of pressure, speed of displacement of the center of pressure, length
of postural ball and distribution of plantar pressures;
gait: spatio-temporal parameters, kinematics of trunk and joints of lower limbs,
ground reaction forces, moments and joint powers.
A functional evaluation of the foot will be also performed positioning the patient
prone/supine on the bed and measuring several joint angles.
The measurement will be supported by a video from which images can be subsequently
processed to trace and obtain the joint angles.
For the functional evaluation of the hand, the patient will be evaluated with the
following outcome measures:
Algo-functional index of the hand according to Dreiser, which analyzes the ability
to execute some gestures of daily life;
Duruöz index, questionnaire for assessing functional impairment of hand.