Role of Robotic Gait Simulators in Elucidating Foot and Ankle Pathomechanics

Testing with cadaveric foot and ankle specimens began as mechanical techniques to study foot function and then evolved into static simulations of specific instances of gait, before technologies were eventually developed to fully replicate the gait cycle. This article summarizes the clinical applications of dynamic cadaveric gait simulation, including foot bone kinematics and joint function, muscle function, ligament function, orthopaedic foot and ankle pathologies, and total ankle replacements. The literature was reviewed and an in-depth summary was written in each section to highlight one of the more sophisticated simulators. The limitations of dynamic cadaveric simulation were also reviewed.