Effects of Different Heel Heights on Heel Pressure Distribution for Calcaneal Spur Patients During Standing: Finite Element Analysis

Abstract

This study was performed to investigate heel height shoe for every patient which peak pressure in the heel area is lower than pain minimum compressive pressure. Heel heights of the shoes are standardized as 0-4 cm. Sixteen patients with symptomatic heel spur participated in this study. Peak pressure due to its own weight is estimated using FEM and compared with the results of measurement using FSR (force sensing resistor). As heel height increased, peak pressure in heel region in the heel height 2 cm, 3 cm and 4 cm are larger 3.86% and smaller 5.04% and 22.11% respectively compared to the smallest pain compressive pressure. These peak pressures are significantly higher than the average pressure in CH (center of heel) measurement results due to the difference in the location of peak pressure to CH at average of 8.64 ± 1.44 mm.