Abstract
Background. Except the plantar pressure and gross joint motion, we know little about the mechanical
state of a foot during walking. This study aimed at investigating the effect of wearing
socks with different frictional properties on plantar shear, which is a possible mechanical
risk factor of foot lesion development.
Method. A 3-D finite element model for simulating the foot–sock–insole contact was developed
to investigate the biomechanical effects of wearing socks with different combinations
of frictional properties on the plantar foot contact. The dynamic plantar pressure
and shear stress during the stance phases of gait were studied through finite element
computations. Three cases were simulated, a barefoot with a high frictional coefficient
against the insole (0.54) and two socks, one with a high frictional coefficient against
the skin (0.54) and a low frictional coefficient against the insole (0.04) and another
with an opposite frictional properties assignment.
Findings. Wearing sock of low friction against the insole to allow more relative sliding between
the plantar foot and footwear was found to reduce the shear force significantly: at
the rearfoot from 3.1 to 0.88 N, and at the forefoot from 10.61 to 1.61 N. The shear force can be further reduced to 0.43 N at the rearfoot, and 1.18 N at the forefoot, when wearing the sock with low friction against the foot skin and
high friction set against the insole.
Interpretation. Wearing sock with low friction against the foot skin was found to be more effective
in reducing plantar shear force on the skin than the sock with low friction against
the insole. The risk of barefoot walking in developing plantar shear related blisters
and ulcers might be reduced by socks wearing especially those with low friction against
the foot skin.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: November 21, 2005
Accepted:
October 6,
2005
Received:
January 27,
2005
Identification
Copyright
© 2005 Elsevier Ltd. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
