William Ledoux, Ph.D.
VA Center of Excellence for Limb Loss Prevention and Prosthetic
Engineering
"The Biomechanics of the Human Foot"
ABSTRACT
The human foot is a complex and often under appreciated mechanism,
performing functions as varied as attenuating shock, adapting to uneven
surfaces and serving as a rigid lever during propulsion. Our
research into foot biomechanics at the VA Puget Sound is guided by the
principle that foot structure affects foot function, that is, high
arched feet work differently than flat feet. As such, we have
taken a basic science approach to quantify structural and functional
parameters of different foot types. To further our understanding of how
the foot functions, we have developed a finite element model of the
foot. Other projects have included mechanical testing on the
plantar soft tissue and the ligaments of the foot. Finally, we
have developed several loading frames to systematically test cadaveric
feet in static positions. Our future work will entail quantifying
the effect of diabetes on the plantar soft tissue and the development
of adynamic cadaveric gait simulator.