title: [Application of computer image process to the research on the contact characteristics of subtalar joint].
abstract: With the use of computer image processing technology, a new method was proposed for studying the contact characteristics of the subtalar joint. The results showed the total subtalar articulation area was 9.52 +/- 0.40 cm2. On neutral position and under 600 N load, the contact area of the subtalar joint was 2.00 +/- 0.11 cm2. The contact area of the posterior articulation was significantly larger than that of the anterior and medial articulation (p < 0.01). The average contact pressure was 19.3 +/- 1.38 N, the force transmitted by the subtalar was 389.16 +/- 28.75 N, which accounted for about 64.86% of the applied shank load (600 N), and 69.39% of the force was transmitted by the posterior articulation. The posterior articulation plays an important role in the load. The fracture line of the calcaneus often appears in this area.
authors.affiliation: Biomechanics Lab, Shanghai Second Medical University, Shanghai 200011.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gu
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Dai
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Shui
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D009716:Numerical Analysis, Computer-Assisted; D012984:Software; D013380:Subtalar Joint / Q000033:anatomy & histology*