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Plantar soft tissue thickness during ground contact in walking
1Center for Locomotion Studies, Pennsylvania State University, University Park 16802, USA. prc@psu.edu
Journal of Biomechanics
|May 20, 1999
Summary
This study presents a new ultrasound technique to measure plantar soft tissue thickness during walking. It found significant tissue compression under the metatarsal head, aiding biomechanical research.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Medical Imaging
- Orthopedics
Background:
- Accurate measurement of plantar soft tissue thickness is crucial for understanding foot biomechanics.
- Previous methods may lack precision in dynamic, barefoot walking conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- Introduce and validate a novel ultrasound-based technique for measuring plantar soft tissue thickness during barefoot walking.
- Quantify soft tissue displacement and compression under the foot during gait.
Main Methods:
- A custom Plexiglas frame positioned ultrasound probes for clear imaging of foot bony landmarks.
- A 7.5 MHz ultrasound scanner captured images throughout ground contact.
- Video analysis with a motion system calculated tissue displacement over time.
Main Results:
- The technique successfully obtained clear ultrasound images of foot bones during gait.
- Plantar soft tissue under the second metatarsal head showed an average maximum compression of 45.7%.
- Measurements were performed on five normal subjects with a mean unloaded tissue thickness of 15.2 mm.
Conclusions:
- The developed ultrasound technique provides a reliable method for assessing dynamic plantar soft tissue thickness.
- This method can validate finite element models of foot soft tissue deformation.
- It offers potential for studying heel pad cushioning properties and the effects of interventions.