Finite Element Modelling

admin · May 28, 2008

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We have had a number of threads recently in which this has come up:
Plantar fascia strectching - an finite element analysis of the windlass
Design of plantar fasciitis orthotic using finite element modelling
Achilles loads and load in plantar fascia

It has also been mentioned in a number of other threads.

What is FEM or FEA:

Finite element analysis

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Finite element method

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admin · May 28, 2008

BTW, I have also created a finite element tag, so we can keep track of any other threads.

Admin2 · May 28, 2008

Related threads:
More modelling queries
Thinking Like an Engineer
Foot Models for Teaching Biomechanics
Biomechanical modelling

Plantar fascia strectching - an finite element analysis of the windlass
Design of plantar fasciitis orthotic using finite element modelling
Achilles loads and load in plantar fascia

NewsBot · Nov 18, 2013

A Dynamic Finite Element Analysis of Human Foot Complex in the Sagittal Plane during Level Walking
Zhihui Qian, Lei Ren, Yun Ding, John R. Hutchinson, Luquan Ren
PLoS ONE 8(11): e79424. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0079424

The objective of this study is to develop a computational framework for investigating the dynamic behavior and the internal loading conditions of the human foot complex during locomotion. A subject-specific dynamic finite element model in the sagittal plane was constructed based on anatomical structures segmented from medical CT scan images. Three-dimensional gait measurements were conducted to support and validate the model. Ankle joint forces and moment derived from gait measurements were used to drive the model. Explicit finite element simulations were conducted, covering the entire stance phase from heel-strike impact to toe-off. The predicted ground reaction forces, center of pressure, foot bone motions and plantar surface pressure showed reasonably good agreement with the gait measurement data over most of the stance phase. The prediction discrepancies can be explained by the assumptions and limitations of the model. Our analysis showed that a dynamic FE simulation can improve the prediction accuracy in the peak plantar pressures at some parts of the foot complex by 10%–33% compared to a quasi-static FE simulation. However, to simplify the costly explicit FE simulation, the proposed model is confined only to the sagittal plane and has a simplified representation of foot structure. The dynamic finite element foot model proposed in this study would provide a useful tool for future extension to a fully muscle-driven dynamic three-dimensional model with detailed representation of all major anatomical structures, in order to investigate the structural dynamics of the human foot musculoskeletal system during normal or even pathological functioning.
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NewsBot · Aug 21, 2014

Simple finite element models for use in the design of therapeutic footwear.
Spirka TA, Erdemir A, Ewers Spaulding S, Yamane A, Telfer S, Cavanagh PR.
J Biomech. 2014 Jul 30.

Therapeutic footwear is frequently prescribed in cases of rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes to relieve or redistribute high plantar pressures in the region of the metatarsal heads. Few guidelines exist as to how these interventions should be designed and what effect such interventions actually have on the plantar pressure distribution. Finite element analysis has the potential to assist in the design process by refining a given intervention or identifying an optimal intervention without having to actually build and test each condition. However, complete and detailed foot models based on medical image segmentation have proven time consuming to build and computationally expensive to solve, hindering their utility in practice. Therefore, the goal of the current work was to determine if a simplified patient-specific model could be used to assist in the design of foot orthoses to reduce the plantar pressure in the metatarsal head region. The approach is illustrated by a case study of a diabetic patient experiencing high pressures and pain over the fifth metatarsal head. The simple foot model was initially calibrated by adjusting the individual loads on the metatarsals to approximate measured peak plantar pressure distributions in the barefoot condition to within 3%. This loading was used in various shod conditions to identify an effective orthosis. Model results for metatarsal pads were considerably higher than measured values but predictions for uniform surfaces were generally within 16% of measured values. The approach enabled virtual prototyping of the orthoses, identifying the most favorable approach to redistribute the patient's plantar pressures.
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NewsBot · Oct 8, 2014

What Has Finite Element Analysis Taught Us about Diabetic Foot Disease and Its Management? A Systematic Review.
Telfer S, Erdemir A, Woodburn J, Cavanagh PR
PLoS One. 2014 Oct 7;9(10)

BACKGROUND:
Over the past two decades finite element (FE) analysis has become a popular tool for researchers seeking to simulate the biomechanics of the healthy and diabetic foot. The primary aims of these simulations have been to improve our understanding of the foot's complicated mechanical loading in health and disease and to inform interventions designed to prevent plantar ulceration, a major complication of diabetes. This article provides a systematic review and summary of the findings from FE analysis-based computational simulations of the diabetic foot.
METHODS:
A systematic literature search was carried out and 31 relevant articles were identified covering three primary themes: methodological aspects relevant to modelling the diabetic foot; investigations of the pathomechanics of the diabetic foot; and simulation-based design of interventions to reduce ulceration risk.
RESULTS:
Methodological studies illustrated appropriate use of FE analysis for simulation of foot mechanics, incorporating nonlinear tissue mechanics, contact and rigid body movements. FE studies of pathomechanics have provided estimates of internal soft tissue stresses, and suggest that such stresses may often be considerably larger than those measured at the plantar surface and are proportionally greater in the diabetic foot compared to controls. FE analysis allowed evaluation of insole performance and development of new insole designs, footwear and corrective surgery to effectively provide intervention strategies. The technique also presents the opportunity to simulate the effect of changes associated with the diabetic foot on non-mechanical factors such as blood supply to local tissues.
DISCUSSION:
While significant advancement in diabetic foot research has been made possible by the use of FE analysis, translational utility of this powerful tool for routine clinical care at the patient level requires adoption of cost-effective (both in terms of labour and computation) and reliable approaches with clear clinical validity for decision making.
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NewsBot · Dec 30, 2015

Simplified versus geometrically accurate models of forefoot anatomy to predict plantar pressures: A finite element study.
Telfer S, Erdemir A, Woodburn J, Cavanagh PR
J Biomech. 2015 Dec 11

Integration of patient-specific biomechanical measurements into the design of therapeutic footwear has been shown to improve clinical outcomes in patients with diabetic foot disease. The addition of numerical simulations intended to optimise intervention design may help to build on these advances, however at present the time and labour required to generate and run personalised models of foot anatomy restrict their routine clinical utility. In this study we developed second-generation personalised simple finite element (FE) models of the forefoot with varying geometric fidelities. Plantar pressure predictions from barefoot, shod, and shod with insole simulations using simplified models were compared to those obtained from CT-based FE models incorporating more detailed representations of bone and tissue geometry. A simplified model including representations of metatarsals based on simple geometric shapes, embedded within a contoured soft tissue block with outer geometry acquired from a 3D surface scan was found to provide pressure predictions closest to the more complex model, with mean differences of 13.3kPa (SD 13.4), 12.52kPa (SD 11.9) and 9.6kPa (SD 9.3) for barefoot, shod, and insole conditions respectively. The simplified model design could be produced in <1h compared to >3h in the case of the more detailed model, and solved on average 24% faster. FE models of the forefoot based on simplified geometric representations of the metatarsal bones and soft tissue surface geometry from 3D surface scans may potentially provide a simulation approach with improved clinical utility, however further validity testing around a range of therapeutic footwear types is required.
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NewsBot · Sep 3, 2016

Biomechanical Modeling of Human Foot using Finite
Element Methods
E. Vijayaragavan and T. V. Gopal
Indian Journal of Science and Technology, Vol 9(31), Doi: 10.17485/ijst/2016/v9i31/93412, August 2016

Objective: Studies involving in vivo experimentation in human beings requires ethical clearance, and it is cumbersome
due to existing laws and procedures. This research aims at developing a 3D anatomically realistic model of the ankle joint
and the foot. Methodology: The Computed Tomography (CT) images of the human foot were captured. Using image reconstruction
technique, the outer surface of the various components of the foot including the 26 bones, plantar fascia, Achilles
tendon and other ligaments were developed. Findings: Applying the necessary boundary and loading conditions on the
mechanical model, the internal stress distribution under different conditions of the foot were calculated and compared
with published literature. Applications/Improvements: Upon validation, this model can be used to study the behavior
a deformed/diabetic foot by altering suitable material properties of the foot. Further, the detailed study on the design of
custom foot orthoses may be performed to counter effect the foot deformity
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NewsBot · Nov 19, 2016

Finite element modelling of the foot for clinical application: A systematic review
Sara Behforootan, Panagiotis Chatzistergos, Roozbeh Naemi, Nachiappan Chockalingam
Medical Engineering & Physics; Article in Press

Highlights
•Clinically applicable finite element modelling can enhance clinical practice.
•Until now finite element modelling is only been used within the research domain.
•Reliable, easy-to-use & affordable systems for subject specific modelling are needed.
•No integrated modelling system exists that could be directly used in clinics.
•However, literature includes a comprehensive toolbox for most relevant challenges.
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Over the last two decades finite element modelling has been widely used to give new insight on foot and footwear biomechanics. However its actual contribution for the improvement of the therapeutic outcome of different pathological conditions of the foot, such as the diabetic foot, remains relatively limited. This is mainly because finite element modelling has only been used within the research domain. Clinically applicable finite element modelling can open the way for novel diagnostic techniques and novel methods for treatment planning/optimisation which would significantly enhance clinical practice.

In this context this review aims to provide an overview of modelling techniques in the field of foot and footwear biomechanics and to investigate their applicability in a clinical setting.

Even though no integrated modelling system exists that could be directly used in the clinic and considerable progress is still required, current literature includes a comprehensive toolbox for future work towards clinically applicable finite element modelling. The key challenges include collecting the information that is needed for geometry design, the assignment of material properties and loading on a patient-specific basis and in a cost-effective and non-invasive way. The ultimate challenge for the implementation of any computational system into clinical practice is to ensure that it can produce reliable results for any person that belongs in the population for which it was developed. Consequently this highlights the need for thorough and extensive validation of each individual step of the modelling process as well as for the overall validation of the final integrated system.
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NewsBot · May 5, 2017

A Finite Element Model of the Foot/Ankle to Evaluate Injury Risk in Various Postures.
Smolen C et al
Ann Biomed Eng. 2017 May 3. doi: 10.1007/s10439-017-1844-2

The foot/ankle complex is frequently injured in many types of debilitating events, such as car crashes. Numerical models used to assess injury risk are typically minimally validated and do not account for ankle posture variations that frequently occur during these events. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a finite element model of the foot and ankle accounting for these positional changes. A model was constructed from computed tomography scans of a male cadaveric lower leg and was evaluated by comparing simulated bone positions and strain responses to experimental results at five postures in which fractures are commonly reported. The bone positions showed agreement typically within 6° or less in all anatomical directions, and strain matching was consistent with the range of errors observed in similar studies (typically within 50% of the average strains). Fracture thresholds and locations in each posture were also estimated to be similar to those reported in the literature (ranging from 6.3 kN in the neutral posture to 3.9 kN in combined eversion and external rotation). The least vulnerable posture was neutral, and all other postures had lower fracture thresholds, indicating that examination of the fracture threshold of the lower limb in the neutral posture alone may be an underestimation. This work presents an important step forward in the modeling of lower limb injury risk in altered ankle postures. Potential clinical applications of the model include the development of postural guidelines to minimize injury, as well as the evaluation of new protective systems.
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NewsBot · Jun 20, 2018

Experimental studies and effective finite element modelling of foot deformation in standing
Shudong Li et al
International Journal of Experimental and Computational Biomechanics > List of Issues > Volume 4, Issue 2-3

In this work, a full scale subject specific FE foot model is developed to simulate the deformation of human foot under a standing position similar to a navicular drop test. The model used a full bone structure and effective embedded structure method to increase the modelling efficiency. Navicular drop tests have been performed and the displacement of the navicular bone is measured using 3D image analysing system. The experimental results show a good agreement with the numerical models and published data. The model is verified by comparing the numerical data for simple standing against subject specific navicular drop test. The detailed deformation of the navicular bone and factors affecting the navicular bone displacement and measurement are discussed.
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NewsBot · Sep 11, 2018

Finite element analysis of the foot: Stress and displacement shielding
V.Filardi
Journal of Orthopaedics; Volume 15, Issue 4, December 2018, Pages 974-979

The foot is at the base of the antigravity control system (postural or equilibrium system) that allows the man to assume the upright posture and to move in the space. This podalic cohesion is achieved by the capsulo-ligamentous and aponeurotic formations to which are added the muscular formations with functions of “active ligaments” and postural. A three-dimensional (3D) finite element model of human foot was developed using the real foot skeleton and soft tissue geometry, obtained from the 3D reconstruction of MR images. The plantar fascia and the other main ligaments were simulated using truss elements connected with the bony surfaces. Bony parts and ligaments were encapsulated into a skin of soft tissues, imposing a linear elastic behavior of material in the first case and the hyperelastic law in the second. The model was tested by applying a load of 350 N on the top of the talus and the reaction force applied on the Achilles tendon equal to 175 N acting, and putting it in contact with a rigid wall. The results evidence that the most stressed areas, localized around the calcaneus following a trajectory that includes the cuboid and spreading into metatarsals and first phalanges. The foot is a “spatial” structure perfectly designed to absorb and displace the forces, brought back to the infinite planes of the space.
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NewsBot · Jan 26, 2022

A Review of Finite Element Models of Ligaments in the Foot and Considerations for Practical Application
Junjun Zhu, Jason Forman
J Biomech Eng. 2022 Jan 26

Purpose: Finite element (FE) modeling has been used as a research tool for investigating underlying ligaments biomechanics and orthopedic applications. However, FE models of the ligament in the foot have been developed with various configurations, mainly due to their complex 3D geometry, material properties, and boundary conditions. Therefore, the purpose of this review was to summarize the current state of finite element modeling approaches that have been used in the ?eld of ligament biomechanics, to discuss their applicability to foot ligament modeling in a practical setting, and also to acknowledge current limitations and challenges.

Methods: A comprehensive literature search was performed. Each article was analyzed in terms of the methods used for: (a) ligament geometry, (b) material property, (c) boundary and loading condition related to its application, and (d) model verification and validation.

Results: Of the reviewed studies, 80% of the studies used simplified representations of ligament geometry, the non-linear mechanical behavior of ligaments was taken into account in only 19.2% of the studies, 33% of included studies did not include any kind of validation of the FE model.

Conclusion: Further refinement in the functional modeling of ligaments, the micro-structure level characteristics, nonlinearity, and time-dependent response, may be warranted to ensure the predictive ability of the models.
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NewsBot · Oct 18, 2022

Finite element modelling for footwear design and evaluation: A systematic scoping review
Yang Song et al
Heliyon. 2022 Oct 5;8(10)

Finite element modelling has become an efficient tool for an in-depth understanding of the foot, footwear biomechanics and footwear optimization. The aim of this paper was to provide an updated overview in relation to the footwear finite element (FE) analysis published since 2000. The paper will attempt to outline the main challenges and research gaps that need confronting in the further development of realistic and accurate models for clinical and industrial applications. English databases of the Web of Science and PubMed were used to search ('finite element' OR 'FEA' OR 'computational model') AND ('shoe' OR 'footwear') until 16 December 2021. Articles that conducted FE analyses on the whole foot and footwear structures were included in this review. Twelve articles met the eligibility criteria, and were grouped into three categories for further analysis, (1) finite element modelling of the foot and high-heeled shoes; (2) finite element modelling of the foot and boot; (3) finite element modelling of the foot and sports shoe. Even though most of the existing foot-shoe FE analyses were performed under certain simplifications and assumptions, they have provided essential contributions in identifying the mechanical response of the foot in casual or athletic footwear. Further to this, the results have provided information in relation to optimizing footwear design to enhance functional performance. Nevertheless, further simulations still present several challenges, including reliable data information for geometry reconstruction, the balance between accurate details and computational cost, accurate representations of material properties, realistic boundary and loading conditions, and thorough model validation. In addition, some research gaps in terms of the coverage of footwear design, the consideration of insole/orthosis and socks, and the internal and external validity of the FE design should be fully covered.
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NewsBot · Oct 28, 2022

Development and Validation of a Subject-Specific Coupled Model for Foot and Sports Shoe Complex: A Pilot Computational Study
Yang Song et al
Bioengineering (Basel). 2022 Oct 14;9(10):553

Nowadays, footwear serves an essential role in improving athletic performance and decreasing the risk of unexpected injuries in sports games. Finite element (FE) modeling is a powerful tool to reveal the biomechanical interactions between foot and footwear, and establishing a coupled foot-shoe model is the prerequisite. The purpose of this pilot study was to develop and validate a 3D FE coupled model of the foot and sports shoe complex during balanced standing. All major foot and shoe structures were constructed based on the participant's medical CT images, and 3D gait analysis was conducted to define the loading and boundary conditions. Sensitivity analysis was applied to determine the optimum material property for shoe sole. Both the plantar and shoe sole areas were further divided into four regions for model validation, and the Bland-Altman method was used for consistency analysis between methods. The simulated peak plantar and sole pressure distribution showed good consistency with experimental pressure data, and the prediction errors were all less than 10% during balanced standing with only two exceptions (medial and lateral forefoot regions). Meanwhile, the Bland-Altman analysis demonstrated a good agreement between the two approaches. The sensitivity analysis suggested that shoe sole with Young's modulus of 2.739 MPa presented the greatest consistency with the measured data in our scenario. The established model could be used for investing the complex biomechanical interactions between the foot and sports shoe and optimizing footwear design, after it has been fully validated in the subsequent works under different conditions.
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NewsBot · Apr 13, 2023

Applications of Finite Element Modeling in Biomechanical Analysis of Foot Arch Deformation: a Scoping Review
Xuanzhen Cen et al
J Biomech Eng. 2023 Apr 12;1-28

Excessive foot arch deformation is associated with plantar tissue overload and ligamentous injury pathologies. Finite element (FE) analysis, as an effective tool for modeling and simulation, has been utilized clinically for providing insights into arch biomechanics. This systematic scoping review aimed to present an updated overview of computational foot modeling for pathology-related arch biomechanics and shed light on their applicability in clinical conditions. English-language searches of the electronic databases were conducted in the Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus until July 2022. Articles that investigated arch deformation mechanisms by FE modeling were included. Any studies involving extrinsic manipulations (e.g., footwear, insoles, and arch orthoses) and intrinsic manipulations (e.g., implants and surgical intervention) were excluded from this review. The MQSSFE instrument was used to assess methodological quality. Seventeen articles were identified in this systematic scoping review and were categorized into two groups, FE modeling of the healthy foot and the pathological foot, for further analysis. Most of the existing FE analyses of the foot arch have focused on constructing models for specific pathological conditions, such as adult-acquired flatfoot, valgus foot, and posterior tibial tendinopathy. However, given the complexity of the arch problem, geometric simplifications and linear assumptions of material properties might bring challenges in the formulation of exact models applied to clinical settings. Overall, advances in computational modeling techniques have contributed to reliable foot deformation simulation and analysis in modern personalized medicine.
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NewsBot · Aug 4, 2023

Definition and evaluation of a finite element model of the human heel for diabetic foot ulcer prevention under shearing loads
Alessio Trebbi et al
Med Eng Phys. 2023 Aug

Diabetic foot ulcers are triggered by mechanical loadings applied to the surface of the plantar skin. Strain is considered to play a crucial role in relation to ulcer etiology and can be assessed by Finite Element (FE) modeling. A difficulty in the generation of these models is the choice of the soft tissue material properties. In the literature, many studies attempt to model the behavior of the heel soft tissues by implementing constitutive laws that can differ significantly in terms of mechanical response. Moreover, current FE models lack of proper evaluation techniques that could estimate their ability to simulate realistic strains. In this article, we propose and evaluate a FE model of the human heel for diabetic foot ulcer prevention. Soft tissue constitutive laws are defined through the fitting of experimental stretch-stress curves published in the literature. The model is then evaluated through Digital Volume Correlation (DVC) based on non-rigid 3D Magnetic Resonance Image Registration. The results from FE analysis and DVC show similar strain locations in the fat pad and strain intensities according to the type of applied loads. For additional comparisons, different sets of constitutive models published in the literature are applied into the proposed FE mesh and simulated with the same boundary conditions. In this case, the results in terms of strains show great diversity in locations and intensities, suggesting that more research should be developed to gain insight into the mechanical properties of these tissues.
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Finite element analysis

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