[Effects of ligaments and plantar fascia on the foot finite element analysis]

Some 3D finite element systemic models are currently established and used to simulate the foot biomechanical state. However, during most of these 3D foot finite element static analyses, ligaments and plantar fascia are generally defined by connecting the corresponding attachment points on the bones, and the spaces between the bones are fused together by solid elements with given cartilage stiffness to simulate the connection of bones. This "connection of bones" takes the place of the real interactions between neighbored bones and enhances the structure of foot, which possibly leads to the result that the effects of ligaments and other soft tissues are completely replaced by the effect of articular cartilages. Thereby, ligaments and other soft tissues maybe not play an inherent role in the finite element analysis. The objective of this study was to estimate whether there exists the effect of ligaments and plantar fascia on the biomechanical behaviors of the foot tissue stress distribution and foot structure deformation during the balanced standing stance and static finite element analysis.