HUMAN FOOT
1. BIOMETRY OF HUMAN FOOT
- A study of various parameters of the human foot.
- Measurements and its relations with gait.
- 12 to 15 measurement angles are essential for a feet.
- Minimum 3 measurements are required for making a footwear.
- Length, Width and Height
- Size indicates foot length, from Toe to Middle of the Heal.
- Fitting indicates the circumference of MTH
- There are 4 Size standards in the world.
2. BIOMECHANICS
- Biomechanics---- The study of the mechanics of Leg &Foot during motion.
- This study helps in designing proper footwear to ensure comfort for the normal, disable & sportsman.
- the distribution for each of the foot is in the ratio of 1:2:3, between ball of the big toe, ball of the little toe & the heel ( CLRI).
- The weight distribution is 5% over the phalanges,41% over the MTH, 5% over the mid-foot and 49% on the Heel. ( as per barograph study).
3. THE BODY WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION
ABOUT FOOT
- Average adult people take 18000 to 19000 steps a day.
- Kids take even more steps than the above
- Most feet walk 70000 miles In one’s lifetime- which is four times around the earth
- Foot consists of 26 bones, 19 muscles, over 100 ligaments.
- Every time when foot strikes the floor during walking, ground reactive force strikes back almost equivalent of twice one’s body weight. While running, this pressure multiple upto three times your body weight.
- The foot has 250,000 sweat glands which release about a quarter pint of perspiration every day.
- Approximate 70% of foot problems occur from wearing ill-fitting or wrong footwear. Majority of such damages took place due to wrong shoe worn as a child.
PURPOSE OF SHOES
The prime purpose of shoes is to ensure “protect & prevent” our feet from injury. In ancient period, shoe was invented to protect the feet while going to jungle for hunting. But unfortunately, importance of shoe nowadays is for fashion. There is no harm to look into fashion but paying more attention to fashion, shoe character has been deviated from the main ethics. As a result rapid foot problem, foot deformities are taking place in the society.
Precaution to be taken while selecting proper shoes (Non-diabetic)
THE WORD 'PROPER SHOE' -MEANS, PROPER FITTING SHOE.
10 POINTS OF PROPER-SHOE-FIT
(as defined by American orthopaedic Foot & Ankle society in collaboration with the Pedorthic Footwear Association & the National Shoe retailers Association) as follows:
1. Do not select shoes by the size marked by the shoe maker. Sizes differ among the shoe brands & styles. It would be wise to judge the shoe by how it fits on your foot.
2. Shoes must be as near as possible to the shape of your foot.
3. Measure your feet regularly. The size of the feet changes as you grow older.
4. Separate measurement of each foot is essential as it often differs. Fit to the largest foot. If the shoes feel too tight, better not to buy. There is no such thing as “break-in period”. After few days use, a foot may push or stretch a shoe to fit but this may culminate foot pain or injury.
5. Afternoon is the Right time to take foot measurement, because that time foot may swell or expand.
6. Fitting must be confirmed in standing posture. Ensure adequate space(3/8 inch or ½ inch or 10mm) in front of the longest toe at the end of each shoe.
7. Ensure ball of your foot comfortably into the widest area of the shoe.
8 .Do not buy tight, narrow shoe with an expectation to ‘stretch’ to fit.
9. Heel must be placed comfortably with negligible slippage.
10. Take a walk wearing new shoe to ensure proper fit & comfort. (Fashionable shoes can be comfortable)
FOOT MEASUREMENT FOR DIABETIC SHOE
- A Podiatrician, pedorthics, Foot care specialist are the right person to take the measurement of Diabetic foot.
- Both the foot must be measured on a weight bearing tracing in standing posture. Foot shape must be drawn by a pencil.
- Measurement of Ball width, Instep should be done carefully.
- Height, weight of the person is essential to ascertain the shore-e of the outer sole (24-26) as well as insole (16-20).
- For Charcot foot & any other deformity foot, moulded footwear may ensure better protection. For this P.P. mould to be made.