Studies on Biomechanics of Human Ankle Joint, Joint Forces Foot Pressure Assessment during Gait

Abstract

Human Gait is the result of a cyclic series of walking motions involving mechanical links consisting of long bones and muscle tissue associated with the lower body. From one step up to the second step, there are phases of Gait, such as stance phases and swing. The stance phase consists of heel strike, flat foot, midstance, and push-off. This is an Interventional study of asymptomatic volunteers for the development of a foot link model of the bipedal static standing position and gait stance phases. Anthropometric data gives the geometry of the Achilles tendon, the Anterior Tibialis Tendon, for equilibrium calculation. From this, the Ankle Joint Force is collected for the development of a free-body diagram of the foot segment model. The Gait motion is captured in the sagittal plane by videography measurement technique. The fundamental equilibrium equations are used for determining the unknown forces acting on joint-free bodies. The foot pressure values are obtained by the foot pressure pad. Among the all-stance phases, maximum Ankle joint force is observed at Push off phase. In comparison to the static standing position, the maximum Achilles tendon force in gait stance phases is observed to be 5.3 times body weight. High tensile forces are developed in the Achilles tendon during the push-off phases. This investigation of Ankle joint forces and foot pressure correlation is useful in identifying and analysing the flat foot, and high arch conditions in patients. These conditions can be found out with minimal instrumentation within no time. It can be valuable input for further diagnosis of Gait-related conditions and foot alignments.