This article is part of the supplement: 1st Congress of the International Foot & Ankle Biomechanics (i-FAB) community .

Keynote presentation

Sailing charted seas: biomechanics and the orthopedic surgeon

George A Arangio

Department Orthopaedic Surgery, Penn State, Milton S. Hershey Medical College

author email corresponding author email

Journal of Foot and Ankle Research 2008, 1(Suppl 1):K2doi:10.1186/1757-1146-1-S1-K2

The electronic version of this abstract is the complete one and can be found online at: http://www.jfootankleres.com/content/1/S1/K2

Published:

26 September 2008

© 2008 Arangio; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

Introduction

Biomechanical models have been used to study the distribution of foot forces, metatarsal stresses, heel pad, arch height, plantar aponeurosis, subtalar joint, extrinsic muscles, medial displacement calcaneal osteotomy, subtalar arthroereisis and lateral column lengthening calcaneal osteotomy in the normal and flatfoot. We review past research data and discuss results as they relate to relevant clinical topics. [1-6]

Methods

A three dimensional multi-segment biomechanical model [7] was used with anatomical data from normal feet, feet made flat and corrected feet. The model includes a series of equations that describe how the foot deforms under a theoretical applied load of 683 Newtons (70 Kg.) on one foot in static stance phase

Results

Lateral Column Lengthening Calcaneal Osteotomy (LCL) decreases the forces needed by ligaments to resist moments at the medial arch joints by -79% and the talo-navicular Joint -63% in the flattened foot.

Conclusion

The model has accurately predicted the deformation of the foot under a theoretical load of 683 Newtons. We have analyzed the effect of various surgical procedures on the flatfoot. We discussed the clinical relevance of the model data to the ankle sprain, 5^th metatarsal stress fracture, posterior tibial tendon insufficiency, the flatfoot and the cavus foot.

Acknowledgement

Eric P Salathe Sr. PhD.

References

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   Clin Biomech. 2007, 22:472-477. Publisher Full Text

2. Arangio GA, et al.:

   Clin Biomech. 2004, 19:847-852. Publisher Full Text

3. Arangio GA, et al.:

   Clin Biomech. 2001, 16:539-539. Publisher Full Text

4. Arangio GA, et al.:

   Foot Ankle Int. 2000, 21:216-220. PubMed Abstract

5. Arangio GA, et al.:

   Foot and Ankle Surgery. 1998, 4:123-128. Publisher Full Text

6. Arangio GA, et al.:

   Clin Orthop. 1997, 339:227-231. PubMed Abstract | Publisher Full Text

7. Salathe EP, et al.:

   J Biomech Eng. 2002, 124:241-281. Publisher Full Text

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