Gait analysis driven 3D finite element model of the diabetic neuropathic foot

Introduction Diabetic foot is an invalidating complication of diabetes that can lead to foot ulcers. Threedimensional (3D) finite element (FE) analysis allows characterizing the loads developed in the different anatomical structures of the foot in dynamic conditions [Chen WM, 2010]. The aim of this study was to develop a subject specific 3D FE model of both a neuropathic and a healthy subject’s foot whose subject specificity can be found in term of foot geometry (obtained from MRI), in-vivo kinematics and kinetics measured data.