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Impact loading on the foot and ankle and its attenuation during level walking
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Kurume University School of Medicine, Japan.
The Kurume Medical Journal
|July 11, 1998
Summary
The foot and ankle play a crucial role in reducing impact forces during heel strike in level walking. This study confirms their direct involvement in shock absorption, vital for preventing injury.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Orthopedics
- Human Movement Analysis
Background:
- Impact loading on the foot and ankle during gait is a significant factor in musculoskeletal health.
- Understanding the mechanisms of impact attenuation is crucial for injury prevention and rehabilitation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of the foot and ankle in attenuating impact forces at heel strike during level walking.
- To quantify the impact absorption capabilities of the foot and ankle structures.
Main Methods:
- Cadaveric testing using skin-mounted accelerometers to mimic bone-mounted accelerometer readings.
- Gait analysis to assess impact and attenuation at the calcaneus and medial malleolus.
- Rigid-body model simulation to estimate impact impulse with and without foot and ankle function.
Main Results:
- Skin-mounted accelerometers effectively estimated bone or joint impact, correlating with bone-mounted sensors.
- Impact at the calcaneus was significantly attenuated at the medial malleolus.
- Ankle fixation reduced impact attenuation, and simulations showed greater impact when foot and ankle functions were eliminated.
Conclusions:
- The foot and ankle are integral to attenuating impact loading during the heel strike phase of level walking.
- The observed attenuation suggests a protective mechanism against excessive joint forces.
- Preserving foot and ankle function is essential for effective shock absorption during locomotion.