Plantar Support for Flatfoot
Author Information
Author(s): Long Xiao, Du Xiangyu, Yuan Chengjie, Xu Jian, Liu Tao, Zhang Yijun
Primary Institution: The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, P. R. China
Hypothesis
The appropriate plantar support force could improve the collapse of the medial longitudinal arch and alleviate the equivalent stress of each joint and the maximum principal stress of the ligaments around the ankle.
Conclusion
Applying 15% of body-weight-bearing to the sole of the foot can restore the height fall of the medial longitudinal arch and relieve the equivalent articular stress of the talonavicular joint and the talocalcaneal joint.
Supporting Evidence
- Applying 15% of body-weight-bearing force reduces the height fall of the medial longitudinal arch.
- The equivalent stress on the articular surface is lowest at 15% body-weight-bearing force.
- Maximum principal stress of certain ligaments decreases with appropriate plantar support.
Takeaway
If you put just the right amount of weight on your foot, it can help fix flat feet and make walking easier.
Methodology
A finite element model simulating flexible flatfoot was constructed to evaluate the appropriate plantar support force.
Limitations
The study used a single-subject model design, which may not account for population variances, and only static forces were considered.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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