Abstract
The objective of this study was to develop and validate a subject-specific framework for modelling the human foot. This was achieved by integrating medical image-based finite element modelling, individualised multi-body musculoskeletal modelling and 3D gait measurements. A 3D ankle–foot finite element model comprising all major foot structures was constructed based on MRI of one individual. A multi-body musculoskeletal model and 3D gait measurements for the same subject were used to define loading and boundary conditions. Sensitivity analyses were used to investigate the effects of key modelling parameters on model predictions. Prediction errors of average and peak plantar pressures were below 10% in all ten plantar regions at five key gait events with only one exception (lateral heel, in early stance, error of 14.44%). The sensitivity analyses results suggest that predictions of peak plantar pressures are moderately sensitive to material properties, ground reaction forces and muscle forces, and significantly sensitive to foot orientation. The maximum region-specific percentage change ratios (peak stress percentage change over parameter percentage change) were 1.935–2.258 for ground reaction forces, 1.528–2.727 for plantar flexor muscles and 4.84–11.37 for foot orientations. This strongly suggests that loading and boundary conditions need to be very carefully defined based on personalised measurement data.
Highlights
As the primary structure between the human body and the ground, the foot plays an important role during human locomotion (Alexander et al 1987; Carrier et al 1994; Lieberman et al 2010)
The location with the highest plantar pressure moved from the heel region to the toes over the stance phase, which was consistent with the measured pressure plate data
The modelling strategy used in this study enables the entire ankle–foot musculoskeletal structure to self-adapt to static equilibrium configurations in response to external loading and boundary conditions
Summary
As the primary structure between the human body and the ground, the foot plays an important role during human locomotion (Alexander et al 1987; Carrier et al 1994; Lieberman et al 2010). The detailed internal loading conditions, for example stress distributions within bones and soft tissues, and the contact pressures at the foot joints, are almost unmeasurable in vivo. In this scenario, computational approaches, such as finite element (FE) analysis, have already proved to be valuable in the biomechanical investigation of foot structure and function (Telfer et al 2014). High-resolution CT and MRI images help reconstruct the 3D foot structure geometry of individual subjects. Using subject-specific and geometrically accurate 3D FE foot models can greatly improve our understanding of the biomechanical function of the foot during locomotion (Cheung et al 2004, 2005, 2006)
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