Wang Chenyan, Du Weijin, Li Zhiqiang, Chen Weiyi
Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China.
College of Artificial Intelligence, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China.
Proc Inst Mech Eng H. 2025 Apr;239(4):360-369. doi: 10.1177/09544119251328060. Epub 2025 Apr 16.
Custom-made insoles are designed to redistribute foot load and prevent potential pain. Common methods to investigate the effectiveness of insoles include finite element method and experimental approach. However, most finite element research has focused on the two-dimensional plantar fascia stresses during static standing with insoles, rather than those of three-dimensional plantar fascia. Furthermore, the effects of insole with design parameters (metatarsal pad, toe pad, and arch support) on dynamic plantar pressures still need further exploration. Therefore, this study aimed to quantify the impact of custom-made insoles on foot biomechanics by combining both methods. Finite element method was employed to evaluate stress on the plantar fascia and bony structures when static standing, both barefoot and with a custom-made insole. Furthermore, 10 participants were recruited to investigate dynamic plantar pressures during walking barefoot and with insole. The relative time of four subphases during stance phase, total contact time, peak plantar pressure (Peak P), and pressure time integral (PTI) were assessed. Finite element results revealed reduced plantar fascia stresses and more uniform stress distribution over metatarsals and phalanges when standing with insole. Additionally, Peak P and PTI values in the second and third metatarsals were significantly lower when walking with insole. With the presence of insole, Peak P and PTI values in medial regions were significantly reduced, except for the midfoot region. In conclusion, custom-made insole with the addition of a metatarsal pad, toe pad, and arch support can effectively distribute foot tissue stress evenly, alleviate plantar pressure, and thus prevent pain.
定制鞋垫旨在重新分配足部负荷并预防潜在疼痛。研究鞋垫有效性的常见方法包括有限元法和实验方法。然而，大多数有限元研究都集中在穿着鞋垫静态站立时二维足底筋膜应力上，而非三维足底筋膜应力。此外，带有设计参数（跖骨垫、趾垫和足弓支撑）的鞋垫对动态足底压力的影响仍需进一步探索。因此，本研究旨在通过结合这两种方法来量化定制鞋垫对足部生物力学的影响。采用有限元法评估赤脚和穿着定制鞋垫静态站立时足底筋膜和骨骼结构上的应力。此外，招募了10名参与者来研究赤脚行走和穿着鞋垫行走时的动态足底压力。评估了站立期四个子阶段的相对时间、总接触时间、足底压力峰值（Peak P）和压力时间积分（PTI）。有限元结果显示，穿着鞋垫站立时，足底筋膜应力降低，跖骨和趾骨上的应力分布更均匀。此外，穿着鞋垫行走时，第二和第三跖骨的Peak P和PTI值显著更低。有鞋垫时，除中足区域外，内侧区域的Peak P和PTI值显著降低。总之，添加了跖骨垫、趾垫和足弓支撑的定制鞋垫可有效均匀分布足部组织应力，减轻足底压力，从而预防疼痛。
