Dynamic Function of Multi-Articular Joints in the Foot and Ankle

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The human foot is an amazingly complicated multi-articular structure that can support tremendous weight, while at the same time seamlessly adapting to changes in terrain. Consisting of twenty-six bones, thirty-three joints, twenty muscles, and over one hundred ligaments, the foot is able to adjust its stiffness to become a mobile adapter, a rigid lever, or something in between. Because of its complexity, it is not fully understood exactly how the foot accomplishes its many functions during demanding activities like running, hopping, or even walking. We propose to utilize a unique approach coupled with High-Speed Skeletal Imaging to allow us to look inside the foot while it is moving. The purpose of this proposal is to understand how the arch of the foot works, as well as improve our ability to study multi-articular joints using High-Speed Skeletal Imaging technologies.***High-Speed Skeletal Imaging consists of taking X-Ray movies of a joint complex and using this information along with a 3D surface model to animate bone motion of a living person as they perform demanding tasks. Concurrently, our method also combines synchronized full body motion capture data, acquired by placing reflective markers on the subject, to the X-Ray data. Capturing these data simultaneously allows us to see how the bones in the foot move while measuring motion of the entire body. This method will allow us to understand the foot's role in human locomotion. In this five-year proposal, we will study the arch of the foot and question a common assumption that it behaves as a spring. Simultaneously, we will develop methods that allow us to capture specific activities with minimal ionizing radiation, which maximizes the safety of our subjects and staff. We will also develop numerical methods to track the small, close-packed bones in the foot with great accuracy. ***The results of this work will allow us to learn how adaptations in the foot provided an evolutionary advantage to humans. Our results will also provide Engineers with information that allows them to design prosthetics that better mimic the foot's function. The improvements we make in tracking small, close-packed bones will allow us and others to study other complex joint systems in humans and animals. Finally, the collaborative, interdisciplinary nature of this program will provide a rich training environment for highly qualified personnel.**