Biomechanical Evaluation and Strength Test of 3D-Printed Foot Orthoses

Foot orthoses (FOs) are commonly used as interventions for individuals with flatfoot. Advances in technologies such as three-dimensional (3D) scanning and 3D printing have facilitated the fabrication of custom FOs. However, few studies have been conducted on the mechanical properties and biomechanic...

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Main Authors: Kuang-Wei Lin, Chia-Jung Hu, Wen-Wen Yang, Li-Wei Chou, Shun-Hwa Wei, Chen-Sheng Chen, Pi-Chang Sun
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2019-01-01
Series:Applied Bionics and Biomechanics
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2019/4989534
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author Kuang-Wei Lin
Chia-Jung Hu
Wen-Wen Yang
Li-Wei Chou
Shun-Hwa Wei
Chen-Sheng Chen
Pi-Chang Sun
author_facet Kuang-Wei Lin
Chia-Jung Hu
Wen-Wen Yang
Li-Wei Chou
Shun-Hwa Wei
Chen-Sheng Chen
Pi-Chang Sun
author_sort Kuang-Wei Lin
collection DOAJ
description Foot orthoses (FOs) are commonly used as interventions for individuals with flatfoot. Advances in technologies such as three-dimensional (3D) scanning and 3D printing have facilitated the fabrication of custom FOs. However, few studies have been conducted on the mechanical properties and biomechanical effects of 3D-printed FOs. The purposes of this study were to evaluate the mechanical properties of 3D-printed FOs and determine their biomechanical effects in individuals with flexible flatfoot. During mechanical testing, a total of 18 FO samples with three orientations (0°, 45°, and 90°) were fabricated and tested. The maximum compressive load and stiffness were calculated. During a motion capture experiment, 12 individuals with flatfoot were enrolled, and the 3D-printed FOs were used as interventions. Kinematic and kinetic data were collected during walking by using an optical motion capture system. A one-way analysis of variance was performed to compare the mechanical parameters among the three build orientations. A paired t-test was conducted to compare the biomechanical variables under two conditions: walking in standard shoes (Shoe) and walking in shoes embedded with FOs (Shoe+FO). The results indicated that the 45° build orientation produced the strongest FOs. In addition, the maximum ankle evertor and external rotator moments under the Shoe+FO condition were significantly reduced by 35% and 16%, respectively, but the maximum ankle plantar flexor moments increased by 3%, compared with the Shoe condition. No significant difference in ground reaction force was observed between the two conditions. This study demonstrated that 3D-printed FOs could alter the ankle joint moments during gait.
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spelling doaj-art-36bc7ea1b6ba4553b480959c179ea3e72025-08-20T02:07:45ZengWileyApplied Bionics and Biomechanics1176-23221754-21032019-01-01201910.1155/2019/49895344989534Biomechanical Evaluation and Strength Test of 3D-Printed Foot OrthosesKuang-Wei Lin0Chia-Jung Hu1Wen-Wen Yang2Li-Wei Chou3Shun-Hwa Wei4Chen-Sheng Chen5Pi-Chang Sun6Department of Physical Therapy and Assistive Technology, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, TaiwanDepartment of Physical Therapy and Assistive Technology, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, TaiwanDepartment of Sports Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, TaiwanDepartment of Physical Therapy and Assistive Technology, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, TaiwanDepartment of Physical Therapy and Assistive Technology, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, TaiwanDepartment of Physical Therapy and Assistive Technology, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, TaiwanDepartment of Rehabilitation Medicine, Taipei City Hospital, Taipei, TaiwanFoot orthoses (FOs) are commonly used as interventions for individuals with flatfoot. Advances in technologies such as three-dimensional (3D) scanning and 3D printing have facilitated the fabrication of custom FOs. However, few studies have been conducted on the mechanical properties and biomechanical effects of 3D-printed FOs. The purposes of this study were to evaluate the mechanical properties of 3D-printed FOs and determine their biomechanical effects in individuals with flexible flatfoot. During mechanical testing, a total of 18 FO samples with three orientations (0°, 45°, and 90°) were fabricated and tested. The maximum compressive load and stiffness were calculated. During a motion capture experiment, 12 individuals with flatfoot were enrolled, and the 3D-printed FOs were used as interventions. Kinematic and kinetic data were collected during walking by using an optical motion capture system. A one-way analysis of variance was performed to compare the mechanical parameters among the three build orientations. A paired t-test was conducted to compare the biomechanical variables under two conditions: walking in standard shoes (Shoe) and walking in shoes embedded with FOs (Shoe+FO). The results indicated that the 45° build orientation produced the strongest FOs. In addition, the maximum ankle evertor and external rotator moments under the Shoe+FO condition were significantly reduced by 35% and 16%, respectively, but the maximum ankle plantar flexor moments increased by 3%, compared with the Shoe condition. No significant difference in ground reaction force was observed between the two conditions. This study demonstrated that 3D-printed FOs could alter the ankle joint moments during gait.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2019/4989534
spellingShingle Kuang-Wei Lin
Chia-Jung Hu
Wen-Wen Yang
Li-Wei Chou
Shun-Hwa Wei
Chen-Sheng Chen
Pi-Chang Sun
Biomechanical Evaluation and Strength Test of 3D-Printed Foot Orthoses
Applied Bionics and Biomechanics
title Biomechanical Evaluation and Strength Test of 3D-Printed Foot Orthoses
title_full Biomechanical Evaluation and Strength Test of 3D-Printed Foot Orthoses
title_fullStr Biomechanical Evaluation and Strength Test of 3D-Printed Foot Orthoses
title_full_unstemmed Biomechanical Evaluation and Strength Test of 3D-Printed Foot Orthoses
title_short Biomechanical Evaluation and Strength Test of 3D-Printed Foot Orthoses
title_sort biomechanical evaluation and strength test of 3d printed foot orthoses
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2019/4989534
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