Levitating Magnetic Insoles: A Novel Approach to Alleviating Plantar Fasciitis Through the Reduction and Redistribution of Plantar Pressures

Abstract

Plantar fasciitis, a leading cause of foot pain, affects a significant portion of the population, with an estimated prevalence of 10% during an individual’s lifetime. This debilitating condition can result in substantial healthcare costs and decreased quality of life. The pain is attributed to the inflammation of the plantar fascia, which is crucial for supporting the foot's arch. Risk factors for plantar fasciitis include obesity, sedentary lifestyles, improper footwear, and biomechanical abnormalities. Current treatment options are primarily conservative, with varying levels of success. In response, an affordable, lightweight, and soft, magnetic insole was developed as a novel approach to alleviate plantar fasciitis by reducing and redistributing plantar pressures with neodymium magnets. The final prototype achieves a magnetic repulsion force of approximately 84.57 lbs. and incorporates sensor modules to monitor data. The device also facilitates real-time data visualization between Arduino and personal devices, providing valuable insights into plantar pressure and walking characteristics for various patients. Data analysis and structural optimization are further enhanced through the use of MATLAB and Excel, which generate heatmaps to visualize plantar pressure distribution. Future research should focus on increasing the magnetic intensity to improve pain relief effectiveness and incorporating personalized disease-specific adjustments to optimize the magnet placement within the sole. By addressing the prevalent issue of foot pain and offering a potential solution for plantar fasciitis, our levitating magnetic insoles demonstrate significant potential for enhancing the quality of life for a large portion of the population.