Simulating human foot mechanics during walking based on an anatomically detailed forward dynamic finite element model

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Human Locomotion
• Computational Modeling

Background:

• Musculoskeletal simulation is key for studying human locomotion.
• Existing foot models lack anatomical detail, limiting gait analysis.
• Understanding foot morphology's role in gait is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• Develop an anatomically accurate 3D finite element (FE) model of the human foot.
• Simulate the foot's dynamic behavior during the stance phase of walking.
• Utilize an explicit forward dynamics approach for simulation.

Main Methods:

• Incorporated detailed bone, soft tissue, ligament, and plantar aponeurosis representations.
• Drove the model with experimentally measured tibial kinematics.
• Used estimated muscle forces to power the simulation.

Main Results:

• Simulation outcomes aligned with experimental data for ground reaction forces and plantar pressure.
• Model accurately replicated foot-ground interactions and bone movements during walking.
• Enabled estimation of internal foot structure forces and strains, offering insights into pathologies.

Conclusions:

• The developed model offers a robust framework for studying human foot form-function relationships.
• Applications include evolutionary biology, clinical interventions, and locomotor disorder research.
• Provides novel insights into the biomechanics of foot pathologies.