THE EFFECT OF THE PLANTAR PLATE ON PLANTAR APONEUROSIS STRAIN: 3D FlNlTE ELEMENT MODELING OF FOOT AND ANKLE

Abstract

Experimental measurements of stresses and strains for the Lower Extremity Injuries (LEI) are invasive, and therefore, predictions require physiologically accurate 3D Finite Element (FE) models of the foot and ankle. Previous FE models of foot and ankle in the literature neglect the function of the plantar plate, and therefore, these models underestimate the Plantar Aponeurosis (PA) strain. In this study the effect and function of the plantar plate on PA strain and other biomechanical parameters of foot and ankle are studied. The Soft Tissue (ST) and PA are analysed as hyperelastic materials supplemented by material sensitivity analysis. The plantar plate Is contributlng towards more accurate prediction of PA strain (1-1.4% at full body weight during balanced standing). Material properties of ST also highly affect the PA strain, and it is a primary feature in validating FE models.