A Study on Flatfoot Modeling and Surgical Simulation using Finite Element Method

Abstract

Flatfoot deformity has large individual differences. Therefore, surgeons have to choose appropriate surgery for individual patients. In this paper, we introduced a finite element (FE) model of flatfoot. This model was used to study the influence of different surgeries. We aimed at providing useful information to the surgeons through simulation prior to real surgery. This paper presented the modeling procedure and two examples of surgical simulation. Results validated the feasibility of using FE simulation to study the influence of different flatfoot surgeries.