Muscle-driven finite element simulation of human foot movements

Abstract

This paper describes a finite element scheme for realistic muscle-driven simulation of human foot movements. The scheme is used to simulate human ankle plantar flexion. A three-dimensional anatomically detailed finite element model of human foot and lower leg is developed and the idea of generating natural foot movement based entirely on the contraction of the plantar flexor muscles is used. The bones, ligaments, articular cartilage, muscles, tendons, as well as the rest soft tissues of human foot and lower leg are included in the model. A realistic three-dimensional continuum constitutive model that describes the biomechanical behaviour of muscles and tendons is used. Both the active and passive properties of muscle tissue are accounted for. The materials for bones and ligaments are considered as homogeneous, isotropic and linearly elastic, whereas the articular cartilage and the rest soft tissues (mainly fat) are defined as hyperelastic materials. The model is used to estimate muscle tissue deformations as well as stresses and strains that develop in the lower leg muscles during plantar flexion of the ankle. Stresses and strains that develop in Achilles tendon during such a movement are also investigated.

Keywords:

• biomechanics
• human foot
• foot and lower leg
• plantar flexion
• foot movement
• finite element modelling

Acknowledgements

This work was carried out while the first author was supported by the Mechatronics Institute of the ‘Centre for Research and Technology–Thessaly’ (CE.RE.TE.TH.). The authors would like to thank Prof. K. Malizos of the Medical School of the University of Thessaly for fruitful discussions.