In vitro method for quantifying the effectiveness of the longitudinal arch support mechanism of a foot orthosis

Abstract

The purpose of this investigation was to develop a technique to quantify the effectiveness of the longitudinal arch support mechanism of a foot orthosis. The experimental model was based on the following principle of foot biomechanics: as the foot is subjected to a load, a proportion of the load is experienced as tension by the plantar aponeurosis. A differential variable reluctance transducer was implanted into the plantar aponeuroses of cadaveric lower limb feet through which the strain was calculated in three conditions, specimen barefoot, specimen with shoe, and specimen with shoe and orthosis. Each donor limb was mounted in an electromechanical test machine that applied a load of 900 N to the tibia. Time, load, and strain data were collected and analysed at four load levels (225, 450, 675, 900 N). In addition the measurements and test design were evaluated for reliability. Strain in the plantar aponeurosis decreased significantly in the specimen with shoe and orthosis compared to the specimen with shoe only. There was a significant increase in the time to load data in the specimen with shoe and orthosis condition in contrast to the barefoot measurements. There were no significant differences in strain between the barefoot tests and those of the shoe, indicating that the shoe tested provided minimal support to the foot's longitudinal arch.