THE STUDY AND DEVELOPMENT OF PERSONALIZED ORTHOTIC INSOLES THROUGH 3D PRINTING TECHNIQUE

Abstract

The human foot is the main connection of the body with the environment. It has a complex anatomical structure allowing different movements, such as gait, orthostatic position or running, on different surfaces, without any pain or injuries occurring. Upon it, there are many types of impact forces acting, therefore, the human foot has to absorb and dissipate these forces. The study of plantar pressures and their distribution across the foot aid in diagnosing and treating different pathologies. The plantar analysis helps in creating personalized tools for treating pathologies associated with the foot. Objective: This paper aimed to create a personalized insole, 3D printed, made out of flexible materials that would be fitted for this study’s participant. Material and methods: The study consisted in collecting data from 12 subjects, with no known pathologies and performing the plantar pressure analysis, both static and dynamic analysis, then, modeling and printing the anatomical insole, fitted for the participant of the study. Results: The result is an anatomical insole, personalized, 3D printed, using flexible filament, with different thicknesses along the arches of the foot and different infill densities for unloading uneven plantar pressures across the foot. Conclusions: After all the stages of the study, a personalized insole was printed. The insole strictly follows the participant’s foot anatomy, takes into account the distribution of plantar pressures across the foot and the deformities that were noticed as a result of the static and dynamic plantar analysis.