Using a texture analyser to objectively quantify foot orthoses.

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Medical Device Engineering
• Manufacturing Technology

Background:

• Foot orthoses significantly influence gait kinematics and kinetics.
• Advancements in manufacturing (subtractive and additive) necessitate precise orthosis parameter quantification.
• There is a growing demand for evidence-based practice in orthotics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a novel measurement method and protocol for quantifying key foot orthosis parameters.
• To establish a standardized approach for assessing orthotic device characteristics.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a texture analyzer to apply controlled displacement to orthosis surfaces.
• Measured applied forces at points determined by anatomical landmarks.
• Calculated parameters including stiffness, compression set, and shape from the collected data.

Main Results:

• Successfully extracted five distinct parameters from three example foot orthoses.
• Demonstrated that orthosis parameters are influenced by both material properties and geometric shape.
• Validated the added value of the proposed quantification technique.

Conclusions:

• The developed method provides a reliable way to quantify foot orthosis parameters.
• This quantification aids in understanding the relationship between orthosis design, material, and in-vivo performance.
• The technique supports the development of customized and effective foot orthoses.