Biomechanical consequences of plantar fascia release or rupture during gait, I:​ disruptions in longitudinal arch conformation

Sharkey, Neil A.<sup>1</sup>; Ferris, Linda<sup>2</sup>; Donahue, Seth W.<sup>2</sup>

Affiliations

¹Center for Locomotion Studies, The Pennsylvania State University, 29 Recreation Building, University Park, PA 16902-5702

²Orthopedic Research Laboratories, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, California

Abstract

To examine whether conformational changes induced by plantar fascial division may progress during gait, we loaded the feet of seven cadavers using an apparatus that simulates the actions of the extrinsic plantarflexors. We measured the effects of plantar fasciotomy at two instants in the terminal-stance phase of gait. Radiographic measurements of height of the arch, base length of the arch, and talo first-metatarsal angle were used to assess contributions to arch support made by the plantar fascia, tibialis posterior, peroneus longus and brevis, and digital flexor muscles. Complete fasciotomy caused significant collapse of the arch in the sagittal plane. Early in terminal stance, at the instant after heel-off, mean height of the arch decreased from 47 to 45 mm. Late in terminal stance, at the instant preceding contralateral heel strike, mean height of the arch decreased from 46 to 43. Effects of division of the central band, though significant, were mild. Medial base length of the arch increased from 163 to 167 mm in the absence of tibialis posterior contraction at late terminal stance. Arch-supporting abilities of the other extrinsic muscles were insignificant.

Links

PubMed: 9872467

WoS: 000077596600004

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Cited By (8)

Year	Entry
1999	Sharkey NA, Donahue SW, Ferris L. Biomechanical consequences of plantar fascia release or rupture during gait, II: alterations in forefoor loading. Foot Ankle Int. February 1999;20(2):86-96.
2003	Gefen A. The in vivo elastic properties of the plantar fascia during the contact phase of walking. Foot Ankle Int. March 2003;24(3):238-244.
2002	Harton FM, Weiskopf SA, Goecker RM. Sectioning the plantar fascia: effect on first metatarsophalangeal joint motion. J Am Podiatr Med Assoc. 2002;92(10):532-536.
2010	Caravaggi P, Pataky T, Günther M, Savage R, Crompton R. Dynamics of longitudinal arch support in relation to walking speed: contribution of the plantar aponeurosis. J Anat. 2010;217(3):254-261.
2002	Gefen A. Stress analysis of the standing foot following surgical plantar fascia release. J Biomech. 2002;35(5):629-637.
2004	Erdemir A, Hamel AJ, Fauth AR, Piazza SJ, Sharkey NA. Dynamic loading of the plantar aponeurosis in walking. J Bone Joint Surg. March 2004;86A(3):546-552.
2002	Erdemir A. Load Transfer Mechanisms of the Foot [PhD thesis]. State College, PA: Pennsylvania State University; December 2002.
2008	Lewis GS. Computational Modeling of the Mechanics of Flatfoot Deformity and Its Surgical Corrections [PhD thesis]. State College, PA: Pennsylvania State University; December 2008.