Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Heel”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

Deformation characteristics of the heel region of the shod foot during a simulated heel strike: the effect of varying midsole hardness.

Impact tests using a pendulum were performed on the shod heel region of nine subjects. Both soft- and hard-soled shoes were used. The deformations involved were calculated from the registered decelerations during impact. Thus, load-deformation cycles were recorded for various impact velocities. In contrast to in vivo force-platform recordings, peak loadings for the soft- and hard-soled conditions differed significantly (614 +/- 29 N vs 864 +/- 49 N, respectively), thus challenging the evidence for compensation at the level of the heel pad. Moreover, computation of the compression of the heel pad in the shoe showed an unexpected inverse relationship between shoe midsole hardness and degree of heel pad compression: the harder the midsole, the smaller the compression (soft shoe 7.6 +/- 0.9 mm; hard shoe 6.7 +/- 0.9 mm). This can be explained by assuming a loading rate dependent stiffness of the heel pad in the shod condition (stiffness in N.m-1 = 51.25x (loading rate in N.s-1)0.76; R2 = 0.90), determined by the visco-elastic nature of the heel pad and the spatial confinement of the heel counter of the shoe.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Attenuation of spinal transients at heel strike using viscoelastic heel insoles: an in vivo study.

BACKGROUND: The transients introduced at heel strikes were linked with increased risk for low back pain. The present study was designed to monitor the transients acting on the spinal column at gait, and to find out whether said transients are attenuated by interposition of a viscoelastic heel insoles. METHODS: A lightweight (2 g) accelerometer was held against the forehead with an elastic strap. The subject was instructed to walk naturally along an 8-m rigid walkway with a built-in, high-frequency (<500 Hz) response Kistler force plate. Seven subjects, shod in leather-soled shoes, were studied sequentially without and with viscoelastic heel insoles (Viscoheel, Bauerfeind). Ground reaction force and vertical acceleration were simultaneously recorded. The data were analog-stored and analyzed with respect to time and frequency domains. RESULTS: Under the aforementioned conditions, the heel strike introduced a transient that averaged 60% of body weight and lasted for up to 5 ms. Maximal deceleration was recorded in the order of 5G, with a frequency spectrum of 100 Hz. Interposition of silicone heel insoles attenuated the ground reaction force by one third and deceleration by two thirds, the highest frequency components having been eliminated. CONCLUSION: Viscoelastic heel insoles significantly attenuate the strain on the spinal column that is caused by walking.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Calcified cutaneous nodules on the heels of children: a complication of heel sticks as a neonate.

We report the presence of calcified nodules on the heels secondary to heel sticks in healthy monozygotic twins in childhood. The subjects were born preterm at 34 weeks. The heels were normal at birth. While in the hospital, they underwent multiple heel sticks as a means of venesection. The wounds failed to heal normally and warty lesions developed. Calcified cutaneous nodules secondary to heel sticks have been reported primarily in high-risk, preterm infants. There have also been two reports of their development in normal healthy infants. To date, all reported lesions have been asymptomatic, with spontaneous resolution by 18-30 months. These cases indicate that such lesions can in fact be chronic, extending into childhood, when they may become symptomatic. Dermatologists should therefore consider this diagnosis as a cause of warty, calcified nodules on the heel in childhood as well as in infants and in neonates.

Calcinosis↗
PubMed2002

Heel pad thickness--a contributing factor associated with plantar heel pain in young adults.

Thirty-three runners were clinically diagnosed with plantar heel pain (PHP) and 107 runners were designated into a non-PHP group (NPHP). Cases were matched with a further control group of 64 subjects with regard to body mass index and age. A weight-bearing platform measured heel pad thickness by real-time ultrasound scanning. The results demonstrated a significant difference between the PHP and both the NPHP and control groups (P <0.05). The results also demonstrated that body mass index had a significant effect (P <0.05) on the heel pad thickness of all subjects, regardless of the heel pad group. The results from the current study, with some precaution, conclude that body mass index as such is not related to PHP in the athletic population. In the current study the observed differences of body mass index on heel pad thickness between the PHP and NPHP groups, and the similarity between the control group and NPHP subjects suggests other risk factors may play an important role in heel pad thickening and associated development of PHP.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1994

The heel pad in plantar heel pain.

A study of heel-pad thickness and compressibility using lateral radiographs, loaded and unloaded by body-weight, was carried out on 70 patients with plantar heel pain and 200 normal subjects. The heel-pad thickness and the compressibility index (resistance to compression) were greater in the patients than in normal subjects and significantly increased with age. In normal subjects, the thickness was greater in males than in females, but there was no significant difference in the compressibility. Increased weight led to an increase in heel-pad thickness and compressibility index. The body mass index was greater in patients with plantar heel pain than in normal subjects and 40% of the patients were considered to be overweight. Increase in the compressibility index indicates loss of elasticity and an increased tendency to develop plantar heel pain.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

The effect of flat horseshoes, raised heels and lowered heels on the biomechanics of the equine hoof assessed by finite element analysis (FEA).

The biomechanical effects of lowering and raising the heels were studied using a finite element (FE) computer model of the equine hoof capsule consisting of 18,635 finite elements. A static load of 3000 N was distributed to nodes of the inner hoof wall (80%) according to the suspension of the coffin bone, 20% loaded sole and frog. When loaded the FE hoof capsules showed the following deformations: the proximal dorsal wall moves back, the quarters flare to the side and sole and frog perform a downward movement. Stresses are high in the material surrounding the quarter nails, in the heels and in the proximal dorsal wall. Three types of horseshoes were simulated, a regular shoe with flat branches, a shoe with 5 degrees raised heels and a shoe with 5 degrees lowered heels. Raising the heels resulted in significantly (P < 0.05) low stress and displacement values. The lowered heels model calculated highest stress and displacement values and the results of the FE model with the regular horseshoe were found in between.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Body load in heel-strike running: the effect of a firm heel counter.

The effect of a firm heel counter in the shoe was studied in 11 athletes during submaximal heel-strike running on a treadmill under standardized conditions. The runners were tested in identical shoes with and without the distal 2 cm of the firm heel counter. Body load was expressed by absolute and relative VO2, surface EMG on the right leg, and g-force registration from an accelerometer below the right tibial tuberosity. The heel counter caused a 2.4% significant decrease in VO2, a reduction in musculoskeletal transients, and a decrease in the activity of the triceps surae and quadriceps muscles at heel strike. The changes found are expressions of kinematic adaptations in the body to increased or decreased load and provide functional evidence for the loading factor in the pathophysiology of overuse injuries.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Role of the calcaneal heel pad and polymeric shock absorbers in attenuation of heel strike impact.

The capacity of the calcaneal heel pad, with and without augmentation by a polymeric shock absorbing material (Sorbothane 0050), to attenuate heel strike impulses has been studied using five fresh human cadaveric lower leg specimens. The specimens, instrumented with an accelerometer, were suspended and impacted with a hammer; a steel rod was similarly suspended and impacted. The calcaneal heel pad attenuated the peak accelerations by 80%. Attenuations of up to 93% were achieved by the shock absorbing material when tested against the steel rod; however, when tested in series with the calcaneal heel pad, the reduction in peak acceleration due to the shock absorbing material dropped to 18%. Any evaluation of the effectiveness of shock absorbing shoe materials must take into account their mechanical interaction with the body.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗
PubMed2004

[Vacuum assisted wound closure after excision of a high risk melanoma heel wound - using the v.a.C. heel-dressing].

Vacuum-assisted wound closure is established in acute wound treatment and assists granulation tissue as well as promotion of graft survival in critical localisation. A new vacuum-assisted wound closure device is launched for the treatment of heel wounds (V.A.C. GranuFoam Heel Dressing). First experience with this heel contour shaped dressing is presented in a case of primary surgical care of a high risk melanoma. The initial defect after excision, measuring 8 x 6 x 3.5 cm, granulated by V.A.C. treatment in 5 weeks to skin surface niveau and was successfully covered with a full thickness skin graft. The V.A.C. Heel Dressing is easy to apply, reduces vacuum leakage und increases patients' comfort and treatment safety in comparison to "classic" vacuum dressings.

Debridement↗
PubMed1989

Recalcitrant heel pain. Traumatic fibrosis versus heel neuroma.

In 1977, Davidson et al wrote an article entitled "Heel Neuroma." Since that time there has been a strong debate on whether the heel neuroma actually exists. The authors present a study of 14 patients presenting with recalcitrant heel pain. Each patient underwent surgical excision of a plantar heel mass. Two patients had bilateral procedures. Preoperative findings are compared with postoperative results. All of the patients experienced at least 75% relief, and the overall satisfaction rate was 79%.

Fibrosis↗
PubMed1996

Plantar foot pressures during treadmill walking with high-heel and low-heel shoes.

The effect of walking with high-heel shoes on plantar foot pressure distribution was investigated. Ten normal women walking in shoes with low heels were compared to women walking in high-heel shoes. It was shown that high-heel shoes increased the load on the forefoot and relieved it on the hindfoot. The load passed toward the medial forefoot and the hallux. The lateral side of the forefoot showed a decrease in contact area, reduced forces, and peak pressures. The medial side of the forefoot had a higher force-time and pressure-time integral. It is suggested that these higher loads on the medial forefoot may aggravate symptoms in patients with hallux valgus deformity.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

The use of heel posting orthotic techniques for relief of heel pain.

The case history is reported of a 56 year old male patient with heel pain. The treatment consisted of the design of a cushioned accomodative orthotic with high density rubber cushioning (Rubazote). The Podiatrist and technician combined to fabricate an orthotic device which relieved the heel pain. The orthotic was fabricated form heavy rubazote in order to cushion the heel strike. An assessment of the gait pattern and subsequent adjustment to the foot-ankle complex resulted in a satisfactory treatment.

Heel↗
PubMed2004

[The treatment of heel pressure ulcer with V.A.C. therapy using the new V.A.C. GranuFoam "Heel-Dressing"].

The treatment of heel pressure ulcer represents one od the difficulties in treatment of pressure ulcer, because of its pressure load conditional on the calcaneus, the missing of muscle buffer and the huge number of tender insertions. With the V.A.C.-Therapy based upon interdisciplinary pretreatment (debridement, control of infection, circulation and metabolism and pressure relief) the growth of granulation tissure succeeds in a very fast time. The new V.A.C.-GranuFoam Heel Dressing contains the possibility to apply the V.A.C.-Therapy safe and very quick, in spite of the difficult ulcer location at the heel. Moreover it includes the necessary transfer of the T.R.A.C-Pad on the top of the foot to prevent new increase of pressure.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Symptomatic low-energy shockwave therapy in heel pain and radiologically detected plantar heel spur].

QUESTION: The long-term analgetic effect of low-energetic shock-wave therapy in heel spur for two different numbers of applicated impulses is investigated. METHODS: 50 patients with recalcitrant heel pain and a plantar calcaneal spur on the X-ray received in a controlled, prospective and randomized study low-energetic extracorporal shock-wave-therapy. The first group received 3 x 500 impulses and the second group 3 x 100 impulses of 0.08 mJ/mm2 with an experimental device. The follow-up was 1 1/2, 3 and by telephone after 12 months. RESULTS: There was clear improvement and relief of pain in both groups on manual pressure and while walking and an increase of the pain-free walking ability from 10 minutes before the treatment to 2 and 3 hours respectively after 12 months. We saw a significantly better results after the treatment with 3 x 500 impulses. CONCLUSION: The extracorporal shock-wave therapy is an effective treatment in refractory heel pain. An amount of at least 3 x 500 impulses in the low energetic treatment is useful.

Adult↗