In order to develop a clinically suitable method for the assessment of lower-extremity disability during erect standing--the commonest static activity involving the human lower-extremity system--an investigation using a system made up of strain gauge load cells has been carried out. This paper reports the findings of this investigation where the experimental measurements have been analysed to recognise the static weight-bearing patterns associated with different types of lower-extremity handicapped subjects and to define an index that may be used for the assessment.