BACKGROUND Previous studies have suggested that increased plantar surface area, associated with pes planus, is a risk factor for the development of lower extremity overuse injuries. The intent of this study was to determine if a single or combination of foot anthropometric measures could be used to predict plantar surface area. METHODS Six foot measurements were collected on 155 subjects (97 ...

This study investigated the effects of shoe heel height on the rollover characteristics of the biologic ankle-foot system. Ten nondisabled adult female volunteers walked using three pairs of shoes with varying heel heights and at three walking speeds with each pair of shoes. Kinematic and kinetic data needed to calculate the rollover shapes of the ankle-foot systems of the participants were col...

BACKGROUND Several footwear design characteristics are known to have detrimental effects on the foot. However, one characteristic that has received relatively little attention is the point where the sole flexes in the sagittal plane. Several footwear assessment forms assume that this should ideally be located directly under the metarsophalangeal joints (MTPJs), but this has not been directly ev...

The surface electromyographic patterns of eight muscles and the foot-contact patterns exhibited by 25 normal persons between the ages of 20 and 40, were measured and studied. These persons were walking indoors on a level surface without shoes at several different self-selected walking speeds. The electromyographic patterns demonstrated a considerable amount of interindividual variability at eac...

The contact areas between the articular surfaces of the talus and tibia are essential for understanding the mobility of the ankle joint. The purpose of our study was to reveal the contact area among the superior articular surface of the trochlea tali (target surface T) and the inferior articular surface of the tibia (query surface Q) under non-weight-bearing conditions in plantar flexion and do...

Serial casting is frequently prescribed for toe-walking but that does not allow continued physical therapy (PT). This report described a child and family who chose dynamic splinting (DS) with concurrent PT for treatment. The patient presented with right hemiparesis; below average motor skills and a gait pattern of toe contact (without ankle foot orthosis). Four months of PT plus 6 hours/night o...

The objective of this study was to determine in healthy individuals whether the Bledsoe Diabetic Conformer Boot reduces plantar pressures as well as a fiberglass total contact cast. Eighteen normal subjects, without any prior foot or ankle problems, were recruited for this study. Plantar pressures were measured using the Novel Pedar in-shoe pressure measurement system. The results of this study...

BACKGROUND/METHODOLOGY Ankle arthrodesis is one popular surgical treatment for ankle arthritis, chronic instability, and degenerative deformity. However, complications such as foot pain, joint arthritis, and bone fracture may cause patients to suffer other problems. Understanding the internal biomechanics of the foot is critical for assessing the effectiveness of ankle arthrodesis and provides ...

Foot orthoses often are prescribed for patients with patellofemoral pain. The purpose of this clinical commentary is to review the theoretical and research basis that might support this intervention and to provide our own clinical experience in providing foot orthoses for these patients. Literature is reviewed regarding (1) the effects of foot orthoses on pain and function, (2) the relationship...