Pavan P G, Stecco C, Darwish S, Natali A N, De Caro R
Centre of Mechanics of Biological Materials, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
Surg Radiol Anat. 2011 Dec;33(10):905-11. doi: 10.1007/s00276-011-0873-z. Epub 2011 Sep 25.
The aim of this work was to obtain a preliminary investigation of the mechanical properties of the human plantar aponeurosis based on regional observation, in order to rationally plan a subsequent larger experimental campaign and develop suited constitutive models to characterize the mechanical response of this tissue.
Different in vitro mechanical tests were developed on eleven samples taken from the plantar aponeurosis of human cadaver (man, age 78 years). The samples were tested along the distal-proximal direction. Range of elasticity of the tissue, development of damage phenomena and stress relaxation at different levels of strain were evaluated.
The strength of the tissue was found in the order of that proposed in previous works, with peak stress of about 12.5 MPa. The compliance of the plantar aponeurosis was in line with in vivo evaluation. A softening behaviour appeared for tensile strain larger than 12%. In relaxation tests, the stress was reduced of 35-40% in 120 s. The percentage stress relaxation was found independent on the level of the applied strain.
The evaluation of the mechanical characteristics is fundamental for a subsequent development of numerical models of the plantar aponeurosis. Such approach is helpful to understand its response to overuse, but also to understand the clinical results of different manual and physical therapies that use warm, pressure or stretch to modify this tissue.
这项工作的目的是基于区域观察对人足底腱膜的力学性能进行初步研究，以便合理规划后续更大规模的实验，并开发合适的本构模型来表征该组织的力学响应。
对取自一名78岁男性人类尸体足底腱膜的11个样本进行了不同的体外力学测试。样本沿远 - 近方向进行测试。评估了组织的弹性范围、损伤现象的发展以及不同应变水平下的应力松弛情况。
该组织的强度与先前研究中提出的强度相当，峰值应力约为12.5兆帕。足底腱膜的顺应性与体内评估结果一致。当拉伸应变大于12%时出现软化行为。在松弛测试中，应力在120秒内降低了35 - 40%。发现应力松弛百分比与所施加应变的水平无关。
力学特性的评估对于足底腱膜数值模型的后续开发至关重要。这种方法有助于理解其对过度使用的反应，也有助于理解使用温热、压力或拉伸来改变该组织的不同手法治疗和物理治疗的临床效果。
