The Biomechanical Relationship Between The Tendoachilles, Plantar Fascia and Metatarsophalangeal Joint Dorsiflexion Angle

We carried out an experiment to measure the relationship between tensile force in the tendoachilles and plantar fascia strain, and how this relationship is affected by the metatarsophalangeal joint dorsiflexion angle. Eight cadaver lower extremity specimens underwent biomechanical testing. Using a servo-hydraulic testing machine, a tensile force up to 500 N was applied to the tendoachilles while the strain on the plantar fascia was measured using an extensometer. The experiment was repeated at four different metatarsophalangeal joint dorsiflexion angles (0°, 5°, 30°, and 45°). Measurements and calculations showed that dorsiflexion of the toes tightens the plantar fascia (the windlass effect) and increases the effect that a tensile force in the tendoachilles has on the tensile strain and tensile force in the plantar fascia.

[1]  Karr Sd.  Subcalcaneal heel pain. , 1994 .

[2]  D. Wright,et al.  A STUDY OF THE ELASTIC PROPERTIES OF PLANTAR FASCIA. , 1964, The Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume.

[3]  Hicks Jh,et al.  The mechanics of the foot. I. The joints. , 1953 .

[4]  Don Fitz-Ritson,et al.  Symposium on the foot and leg in running sports. , 1983 .

[5]  J. Basmajian,et al.  THE ROLE OF MUSCLES IN ARCH SUPPORT OF THE FOOT. , 1963, The Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume.

[6]  S. Barrett,et al.  Endoscopic plantar fasciotomy: a multi-surgeon prospective analysis of 652 cases. , 1995, The Journal of foot and ankle surgery : official publication of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons.

[7]  Kibler Wb,et al.  Functional biomechanical deficits in running athletes with plantar fasciitis , 1991 .

[8]  R. Mann,et al.  The function of the toes in walking, jogging and running. , 1979, Clinical orthopaedics and related research.

[9]  E Y Chao,et al.  Plantar Fasciotomy for Intractable Plantar Fasciitis: Clinical Results and Biomechanical Evaluation* , 1992, Foot & ankle.

[10]  Russell L. Jones.  The human foot. An experimental study of its mechanics, and the role of its muscles and ligaments in the support of the arch , 1941 .

[11]  D. Baxter,et al.  Heel Pain—Operative Results , 1984, Foot & ankle.

[12]  M. Wolgin,et al.  Conservative Treatment of Plantar Heel Pain: Long-Term Follow-Up , 1994, Foot & ankle international.

[13]  M Solomonow,et al.  EMG-force model of the elbows antagonistic muscle pair. The effect of joint position, gravity and recruitment. , 1986, American journal of physical medicine.

[14]  D. Baxter,et al.  Painful Heel Syndrome: Results of Nonoperative Treatment , 1994, Foot & ankle international.

[15]  S. Wertheimer,et al.  Endoscopic plantar fasciotomy versus traditional heel spur surgery: a prospective study. , 1993, The Journal of foot and ankle surgery : official publication of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons.

[16]  A. Voloshin,et al.  Role of plantar fascia in the load bearing capacity of the human foot. , 1995, Journal of biomechanics.

[17]  R. F. Ker,et al.  The spring in the arch of the human foot , 1987, Nature.

[18]  M L Pearl,et al.  Dynamic electromyographic analysis of the throwing shoulder with glenohumeral instability. , 1988, The Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume.

[19]  D E Baxter,et al.  Biomechanical Consequences of Sequential Plantar Fascia Release , 1998, Foot & ankle international.

[20]  G. Sammarco,et al.  Stress Fracture of the Base of the Third Metatarsal after an Endoscopic Plantar Fasciotomy: A Case Report , 1998, Foot & ankle international.

[21]  D. Baxter.  The Foot And Ankle In Sport , 1994 .

[22]  V. T. Inman,et al.  PHASIC ACTIVITY OF INTRINSIC MUSCLES OF THE FOOT. , 1964, The Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume.

[23]  L. H. Gill,et al.  Outcome of Nonsurgical Treatment for Plantar Fasciitis , 1996, Foot & ankle international.

[24]  P. Sharkey,et al.  The Use of Night Splints for Treatment of Recalcitrant Plantar Fasciitis , 1991, Foot & ankle.

[25]  J. Perry.  Anatomy and biomechanics of the hindfoot. , 1983, Clinical orthopaedics and related research.

[26]  G. Sammarco,et al.  Surgical Treatment of Recalcitrant Plantar Fasciitis , 1996, Foot & ankle international.

[27]  S. Sarrafian.  Functional Characteristics of the Foot and Plantar Aponeurosis under Tibiotalar Loading , 1987, Foot & ankle.

[28]  E. Dicarlo,et al.  Anatomy of the Achilles Tendon and Plantar Fascia in Relation to the Calcaneus in Various Age Groups , 1995, Foot & ankle international.

[29]  J. H. Hicks,et al.  The mechanics of the foot. I. The joints. , 1953, Journal of anatomy.

[30]  P. Kwong,et al.  Plantar fasciitis. Mechanics and pathomechanics of treatment. , 1988, Clinics in sports medicine.

[31]  Kai-Nan An,et al.  Biomechanical Evaluation of Longitudinal Arch Stability , 1993, Foot & ankle.

[32]  THE HUMAN FOOT: ITS EVOLUTION, PHYSIOLOGY AND FUNCTIONAL DISORDERS , 1936 .