OBJECTIVE To determine whether maternal prepregnancy shoe size can be used to reliably predict infant birth weight. METHOD This is a cross-sectional study of 111 consecutive patients admitted to the maternity care unit of a small community hospital. Data collected included prepregnancy height, maternal weight, maternal shoe size, maternal age, gravidity, parity, ethnicity, and method of deliv...

The foot's response to load during weightbearing is investigated using finite element stress analysis of a two-dimensional model. The analysis predicts the stress states within the plantar aspect tissue during a variety of shoe conditions. Shoe soles with a range of elastic properties are modeled in an attempt to find a shoe sole that minimizes peak stresses within the foot's soft tissue. This ...

This study reports an investigation into the effect of shoe mass on the gait patterns of below-knee (BK) amputees. Ten established unilateral BK, patellar-tendon-bearing prosthesis wearers were assessed using a VICON system of gait analysis. Incremental masses of 50g (up to 200g) were added to the subjects' shoes and data captured as they walked along a 15m measurement field. Coefficients of sy...

PURPOSE This study tests if running economy differs in minimal shoes versus standard running shoes with cushioned elevated heels and arch supports and in forefoot versus rearfoot strike gaits. METHODS We measured the cost of transport (mL O(2)·kg(-1)·m(-1)) in subjects who habitually run in minimal shoes or barefoot while they were running at 3.0 m·s(-1) on a treadmill during forefoot and rea...

BACKGROUND Excessive shoe heel abrasion is of concern to patients and shoe manufacturers, but little scientific information is available about this feature and its possible causes. The purpose of this study was to relate this phenomenon with biomechanical factors that could predispose to shoe heel abrasion. METHODS Ninety-seven recruits (median age 25) were enrolled in this study. Shoe abrasi...

Methods and material Twenty-four participants (mean age 21.8 yrs ± 3.5 yrs, height 1.75 m ± 0.09 m and body mass 71.0 kg ± 10.6 kg) were recruited. A marker set consisting of 20 x 10 mm markers was developed to track in-shoe joint kinematics [1]. Reliability and accuracy estimates of calibration marker placement on the shoe were determined. To track inshoe foot motion, 12 mm diameter holes were...

Background Various sizes of implants need to be available during surgery. The purpose of this paper is to compare body height and shoe size with implant sizes in patients who underwent total knee replacement surgery to see which biomarker is a better predictor for preoperative planning to determine implant size. Methods A total of 100 knees, belonging to 50 females and 50 males, were observed...

Neuropathy may bring about changes in form and function of the foot, which may lead to ulceration and progressive deformity. These manifestations often require specially adapted footwear. A comprehensive concept of the medical, functional, and technical requirements for this type of footwear is still lacking to date. In this article, We present an algorithm that should facilitate prescription a...