The Human Foot and Ankle Essay -- Biology, Bones, Joints

IntroductionThe human foot and ankle are composed of 26 bones, 33 joints, and more than a hundred muscles, tendons and ligaments. These components work together to provide the body with support, balance and mobility. The foot acts as a rigid lever and active adapter (Amstrong Prosthetic feet, 2010). The human foot must be capable of withstanding the bodys weight and functions as a shock absorber (Swierzewski, 2007 NYU, 1990). The prosthetic foot inescapably to be capable of mimicking the missing inhering foot, to make for the most efficient rate pattern. When due to disease, accident or developmental malformation a natural foot is absent a prosthetic foot is used to mimic the missing limb in an attempt to create the most efficient gait pattern. The prosthetist must choose from numerous types of prosthetic feet, depending upon the patients physical condition and life-style needs (Swierzewski, 2007).Gait CycleThe human gait beat is comprised of multiple sequential steps. It begins with the heel of the foot contacting the state and ends when that same foot contacts the ground again (Perry, 1992). The period of the gait cycle that the foot is on the ground is called the view phase. The period when the foot is in the air is called the swing phase. The phases of the gait cycle are initial contact (IC), loading response (LR), mid-stance (MSt), terminal stance (TSt), pre-swing (PSw), initial swing (ISw), mid-swing (MSw) and terminal swing (TSw). There are three primary functions of the gait cycle, which are weight acceptance, single limb support, and limb advancement. cargo acceptance occurs during initial contact and loading response. During these phases, the limb is stabilized to prevent falling and the foot fun... ...activities. The main disadvantage of this foot is that it costs more than another(prenominal) feet, and can only be used by patients at the K3 level or above (Lusardi & Nielsen, 2007). ManufacturesThere are several different manufac tures of prosthetic feet much(prenominal) as Ossur, Ottobock, Ohio Willow Wood, and SPS. Most companies specificize in adult feet though there are some manufactures such as Ossur that have a special pediatric line. On the companies websites, feet are organized based on K level and further categorized based upon male or female. Prosthetic feet issue in different lengths in centimeters and left or right. They also are grouped by weight of the patient that can safely use the foot. some(prenominal) feet come in different skin colors and others have a space between the big toe and second toe to accommodate the substance abuser who wants to wear flip-flops or shoes with toe straps.