A study of the properties of materials used in podiatry.

This study was performed to provide insight into the functioning of a selection of materials used in the fabrication of orthoses. A series of mechanical and physical tests was performed on five materials, under strict laboratory conditions. The results demonstrate that the polyurethane foams are the most promising material in the design of foot orthoses. The results also suggest that an agglomeration of properties, not just one specific property, can influence the behavior of materials.