In this study, quasi static axial loads were applied to cadaveric foot/ankle complexes in order to quantify the mechanical response of the biological tissues. The load-displacement characteristics of the foot were established and the associated injuries were noticed. The results showed comparable responses for the 2 feet of the same subject, but different responses from one subject to another. Injuries were essentially distensions of muscle in the mid plane of the plantar section. These results were used for the validation of a finite element (FE) numerical model of the ankle-foot complex. This model includes deformable parts and the representation of the cortical and trabecular bones. Some of the soft tissues have been added. Static foot compression simulations have been performed. The study showed that the global kinematics of the foot is well represented. The influence of the cortical bone resistance has been shown. Two kinds of compression collapse have been found depending on the yield stress value of the cortical bone, using a constant value of the trabecular bone yield stress. (A)
Samenvatting