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> Anatomy > Body Part > Heel

Heel

The heel is the posterior part of the foot, composed of the calcaneus bone and the overlying soft tissues.
It plays a crucial role in weight-bearing and ambulation, providing a stable base for the rest of the foot.
Common conditions affecting the heel include plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinitis, and heel spurs, which can cause pain and disrupt normal foot function.
Proper foot care, including appropriate footwear and stretching exercises, can help maintain heel health and prevent or manage these issues.
Undestaanding the anatomy and function of the heel is essential for healthcare providers to diagnose and treat a variety of foot and ankle disorders.

Most cited protocols related to «Heel»

1
Biomechanical Analysis of Human Gait
Twelve healthy subjects (11 males and 1 female) volunteered to participate in this study which was approved by the Institutional Review Board of the Cleveland VA Medical Center. Average subject characteristics were: age 28.3 ± 3.9 years, body mass (with shoes) 75.9 ± 11.2 kg, and height 175 ± 8 cm. Subjects walked on a split-belt instrumented treadmill (ADAL3DM-F-COP-Mz, Tecmachine, France) for 30 s at their preferred walking speed and wearing their own shoes. Preferred walking speed was 0.97 ± 0.12 m/s with a gait cycle of 1.23 ± 0.09 s. During walking, kinematic marker data were collected at 100 Hz via a 16-camera passive marker motion capture system (Vicon, Oxford Metrics, UK) with the marker set described in “Supplementary Material”. Ground reaction forces were collected at 1,000 Hz from load cells in the treadmill.
For data processing, 100 frames were averaged from a standing trial for initialization of the subject-specific model. The low-pass filter was set to 6 Hz. Computation time limits for the iterative solvers were set to 1 ms for inverse kinematics, and 5 ms for static optimization. HBM was executed under Windows 7 on a 2.4 GHz Intel i5 CPU. All output variables were ensemble averaged over the 30-s trial to obtain one average gait cycle for each subject, from right heel strike to right heel strike. It was verified that the subjects had symmetrical gait, and therefore only the results from the right lower extremity will be presented.
On one subject, the analysis was performed at various computation time settings. Error due to premature termination of the iterative solvers was quantified as the overall root mean square (RMS) difference in joint angles and muscle forces between the test result and a result where there was no time limit for computation.
van den Bogert A.J., Geijtenbeek T., Even-Zohar O., Steenbrink F, & Hardin E.C. (2013). A real-time system for biomechanical analysis of human movement and muscle function. Medical & Biological Engineering & Computing, 51(10), 1069-1077.
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Publication 2013
Cells Ethics Committees, Research Females Healthy Volunteers Heel Human Body Joints Lower Extremity Males Muscle Tissue Passive Range of Motion Plant Roots Premature Birth Reading Frames
2
Gait Characteristics of Young and Older Adults
Twenty-six healthy young adult (25.9±3.0 years; 175.7±8.8 cm; 72.9±11.9kg; 12 male) and 24 healthy older adult (70.9±4.1 years; 173.2±11.2 cm; 76.2±13.2 kg; 13 male) subjects were recruited and provided informed consent for this study. All subjects were independently residing in the community, were able to ambulate independently for a distance of 60 meters without an assistive device and were not diagnosed with a progressive neurologic condition. All subjects were free of any pathological condition that directly affects the musculoskeletal system, leading to an abnormal walking pattern. The University’s Institutional Review Board approved all study procedures.
Prior to data collection, subjects were asked to walk on a treadmill for a maximum of eight minutes. This eight-minute warm-up has been considered sufficient for individuals to achieve a proficient treadmill movement pattern 12 (link) . During the eight-minute warm-up a self-selected speed was found. If a subject indicated that a speed was comfortable, they continued to walk at that speed for one minute and then asked again if the speed was too fast or too slow. If they indicated it was too fast, the treadmill was slowed or vice versa. This continued until a comfortable speed was found. After the warm-up period, subjects were asked to walk on the treadmill at their selected speed for a total of three minutes while three-dimensional marker trajectories were recorded. Active rigid body markers were placed on the lateral sides of the foot and six position sensors recorded at 100 Hz (Optotrak Certus system; Northern Digital Inc., Waterloo, Canada). In addition, virtual markers were identified prior to data collection through the use of wand marking. These markers included the location of the toe, heel and the first and fifth metatarsal heads. The position data of the virtual markers was tracked in real-time (First Principles software; Northern Digital Inc., Waterloo, Canada) with reference to the corresponding rigid bodies. The unfiltered position data for the x, y, and z coordinates of each virtual marker were exported and processed using custom computer code (MatLab; Mathworks Inc., Natick, Massachusetts). This software calculated step length, step width and step time for each subject. Step length was defined as the distance between heel contact and subsequent heel contact of the contralateral foot. Step width was defined as the mediolateral distance between heel markers at successive heel strikes. Step time was defined as the amount of time from heel strike of one foot to the subsequent heel strike of the contralateral foot. All subjects walked a minimum of 200 steps during the data collection period. Therefore, the time series of step length, step width and step time were cut to 200 data points.
Yentes J.M., Hunt N., Schmid K.K., Kaipust J.P., McGrath D, & Stergiou N. (2012). The appropriate use of approximate entropy and sample entropy with short data sets. Annals of biomedical engineering, 41(2), 349-365.
Publication 2012
Aged Ethics Committees, Research Foot Head Heel Human Body Males Metatarsal Bones Movement Muscle Rigidity Musculoskeletal System Nervous System Disorder Pathologic Processes Self-Help Devices Young Adult
3
Standardized Anthropometric Measurements in School Health
Measurements were conducted in school nurses' offices from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm. All measurements were taken in duplicate by trained staff: anthropologists, nurses, public health professionals, and physicians using standard, calibrated equipment. Each study team consisted of two professionals. The exact ages of the participants were calculated from birth and examination dates.
Height was measured using a SECA 214 stadiometer. The subject was in the standing upright position (no shoes), with hips and shoulders perpendicular to the central axis, heels against the footboard, knees together, arms hanging loosely at the sides, and the head in the Frankfurt plane. Height was recorded to the nearest millimeter; if the difference between measurements exceeded 4 mm, a third measurement was taken. Body weight was recorded in light underwear to the nearest 0.05 kg, using a digital medical scale (Radwag WPT 100/200, Poland). In the case of a difference between measurements equal to or exceeding 0.3 kg, a third measurement was taken. Body mass index was calculated as body weight divided by height in meters squared.
Kułaga Z., Litwin M., Tkaczyk M., Palczewska I., Zajączkowska M., Zwolińska D., Krynicki T., Wasilewska A., Moczulska A., Morawiec-Knysak A., Barwicka K., Grajda A., Gurzkowska B., Napieralska E, & Pan H. (2010). Polish 2010 growth references for school-aged children and adolescents. European Journal of Pediatrics, 170(5), 599-609.
Publication 2010
Arm, Upper Body Weight Childbirth Coxa Epistropheus Fingers Head Health Personnel Heel Index, Body Mass Knee Light Nurses Physicians Shoulder
4
Automated Gait Analysis Using GaitMat II

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Publication 2008
Acceleration Deceleration Foot Gait Analysis Heel Neoplasm Metastasis Pressure
5
Generating Synthetic Cryo-EM Datasets

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Publication 2013
Acceleration Heel Microtubule-Associated Proteins Ribosomes

Most recents protocols related to «Heel»

1
Appendicitis-MISC Score for Diagnosis
Both groups were evaluated using NSS parameters [10 (link)]. These parameters were;

sex

type (continuous or intermittent), duration and migration of abdominal pain

anorexia, bilious vomiting, pyrexia (body temperature ≥ 38.0 °C [11 (link)])

presence of localized right lower quadrant abdominal tenderness, guarding, gurgling, a positive heel drop test, and rebound tenderness in physical examination

leukocytosis (> 10.600/mm3), neutrophilia (> 75%), elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) levels (> 5 mg/L) in blood examination

scoliosis on the right side, localized air-fluid level, gas deposition in the right lower quadrant on standing abdominal radiography

appendix diameter (> 7 mm), presence of a thickened wall, and surrounding loculated fluid collection on US

Consistent with the previous study, an NSS score ≥ 12 was accepted as the cutoff level for the diagnosis of AA [10 (link)].
Both groups were compared by new parameters thought to be MISC-specific (fatigue (feeling extra tired [12 ]), headache, maximum body temperature, and total fever [11 (link)] days in the history, serum lymphocyte and platelet counts, serum procalcitonin (PRC), alanine transferase (ALT), CRP, and D-dimer value). Statistically significant parameters were included in the scoring. A scoring system named the Appendicitis–MISC Score (AMS) was created using eight new parameters including the NSS score.
Toker Kurtmen B., Ekemen Keles Y., Tekindal M.A., Koyluoglu G, & Yilmaz Ciftdogan D. (2023). Differentiating abdominal pain due to COVID-19 associated multisystem inflammatory syndrome from children with acute appendicitis: a score system. Pediatric Surgery International, 39(1), 151.
Publication 2023
Abdomen Alanine Appendicitis BLOOD Body Temperature C Reactive Protein Diagnosis Fever fibrin fragment D Headache Heel Lymphocyte Neutrophil Physical Examination Platelet Counts, Blood Procalcitonin Serum Transferase
2
Lower Limb Kinematic Analysis in FUS
The kinematic data of both lower limbs of FUS were gathered in this study using the plug-in gait lower limb model (Figure 1). The experimental operators calibrated the athletes once they became accustomed to the experimental setting and constructed the three - dimensional image before the experiment. Then, using a ruler, the scientist completed the work required for personalized static modeling and measured the athletes’ bilateral lower limbs’ leg length, knee width, and ankle width. The lower limb joints of the athletes were then calibrated using reflecting markers by a scientist. The plug-in gait had 16 anatomical positions, including the left anterior superior spine (LASI), the right anterior superior spine (RASI), the left posterior superior spine (LPSI), the right posterior superior spine (RPSI), the left and right knees, the left and right tibias, the left and right ankles, the left and right toes, and the left and right heels (RTOE).
Liang Z., Wu J., Yu J., Ying S., Liu Z., Zhang Y., Gu Y, & Li J. (2023). Comparison and analysis of the biomechanics of the lower limbs of female tennis players of different levels in foot-up serve. Frontiers in Physiology, 14, 1125240.
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Publication 2023
Ankle Athletes Heel Joints Knee Knee Joint Lower Extremity Tibia Toes Vertebral Column
3
Zebris Plantar Pressure Evaluation
The Zebris plantar pressure measurement system (Zebris FDM 1.12) was used to complete the evaluation. The participants had to take off their shoes, stand on the running platform, and hold their hands on the railings on both sides of the runway while a safety device was clamped on their chest. The runway was open, and the participant was instructed to follow it. The speed of the running platform gradually increased, and when it reached the speed at which the participant was comfortable, the participant was asked to release the railings, turn on the evaluation device, and then stop the device after walking for 30 s. The device mainly recorded the data of both lower limbs while walking, including the peak plantar pressure (N/cm2) of the forefoot, midfoot, and heel, and the gait parameters. The gait parameters included the proportions of the stand, swing, and dual stand phases (%), and the step width (cm), stride length (cm), and the center of plantar (COP) included the anterior to posterior (ant/post) position (mm) and lateral symmetry (mm).
Liu S., Yu H., Wang Z, & Dai P. (2023). Correlation analysis of balance function with plantar pressure distribution and gait parameters in patients with cerebral infarction in the basal ganglia region. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 17, 1099843.
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Publication 2023
Chest Heel Lower Extremity Medical Devices Pressure
4
Plantar Pressure and Joint Trajectory Measurement
We used a high-definition camera (EOS 200D II, Canon) to record the joint trajectory. In the experiment, we placed the camera on the left side of the subjects and collected the video at a rate of 60 fps/s. In order to obtain plantar pressure, we used a flexible film pressure sensor (MD30-60, Leanstar, Suzhou, China) with a range of 10kg, thickness < 0.6mm, response point < 200g, response time < 1ms, and measurement diameter of 23mm. Flexible film pressure sensor is a kind of resistance sensor. The output resistance decreases with the increase of the pressure applied to the surface of the sensor. The pressure can be measured by a specific pressure-resistance relationship. In order to ensure the accuracy of the data, pressure sensors were set on the soles and heels of the subjects.
Yang S., Yi Z., Zhou B, & Xue Q. (2023). Effect of initial foot angle (IFA) on kinematics and dynamics of body during sit-to-stand transfer. Medicine, 102(10), e33184.
Publication 2023
Heel Joints Pressure
5
Quantitative Ultrasound Bone Density Assessment
BMD measurement was performed on one leg for all the participants using QUS technique: Lunar Achilles Insight TM-GE Healthcare (a water-bath ultrasound system). The heel of the non-dominant leg (left) was placed between two ultrasonic transducers in a 37 °C water bath. The ultrasound used high-frequency sound waves to measure the heel’s BMD, following which the T-score and Z-score were recorded using a standard protocol supplied by the manufacturer. The measurement results (including measurement values and fracture-risk color graphs) were displayed, stored, and printed, allowing for easy clinical assessment and visual communication with the participant.
The reliability of QUS has been confirmed as for the osteopenia, osteoporosis and fracture risk.5 (link),9 (link) We elected to use it for our study as to avoid DEXA exposure for the young female subjects enrolled, some may be in their early pregnancy.
The T-score compares the subject’s BMD to the mean value in a healthy and young reference population, while the Z-score compares the subject’s BMD to the age-matched population. Because of the young age of the participants, we considered the Z-score rather than the T-score and relied only on the age-matched Z-score to determine normal BMD (>–2 Z-score). Moreover, in the young age group, QUS cannot be used to diagnose osteopenia or osteoporosis; therefore, according to the position statement by the International Society for Clinical Densitometry (ISCD), we categorized the T-score as a risk category. A T-score of ≥−1.0 was classified as low risk; a score <−0.1 – >−2.5 was classified as being at some risk of having osteopenia, while a T-score of ≤−2.5 was classified as being at a high risk of osteoporosis, as per the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA’s) Agency approval.
Al Nozha O.M., El Tarhouny S., Taha I., Sultan I., Abdu Allah A.M., Hammoda M.A., Elmehallawy G., Elmehallawy Y., Eysawi E.A, & Desouky M.K. (2023). Association Between Vitamin D Level and Z-Score Changes of Bone Density in College-Age Saudi Girls: A Cross-Sectional Study. International Journal of General Medicine, 16, 865-874.
Publication 2023
Age Groups Bath Densitometry Diagnosis Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry Food Fracture, Bone Heel High Frequency Waves Osteopenia Osteoporosis Pregnancy Silver Sound Transducers Ultrasonics Woman

Top products related to «Heel»

1
Matlab by MathWorks
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MATLAB is a high-performance programming language and numerical computing environment used for scientific and engineering calculations, data analysis, and visualization. It provides a comprehensive set of tools for solving complex mathematical and computational problems.
2
Visual3d by C-Motion
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Visual3D is a software application developed by C-Motion for analyzing and visualizing motion capture data. It provides a comprehensive set of tools for processing and interpreting three-dimensional movement data obtained from various motion capture systems.
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Stadiometer by Seca
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A stadiometer is a medical device used to measure a person's height. It consists of a vertical scale, typically marked in centimeters or inches, with a horizontal headpiece that can be lowered to rest on top of the person's head, allowing for an accurate measurement of their stature.
4
Sahara clinical bone sonometer by Hologic
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The Sahara Clinical Bone Sonometer is a medical device designed for the assessment of bone density. It utilizes ultrasound technology to measure the bone mineral content and structure, providing information about the overall bone health of the patient.
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Instrumented treadmill by Bertec
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The Instrumented Treadmill is a laboratory equipment designed to assess an individual's gait and balance. It features embedded force plates that measure ground reaction forces, allowing for the analysis of various biomechanical parameters during walking or running.
8
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The Vicon motion capture system is a professional-grade motion tracking technology designed for applications that require high-precision motion data. It utilizes advanced cameras and software to accurately capture the movement of objects or individuals in three-dimensional space. The system is capable of recording and analyzing complex kinematic data with a high degree of accuracy and reliability, making it a valuable tool for a wide range of industries and applications.
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The wall-mounted stadiometer is a device used for measuring the height of an individual. It consists of a vertical ruler attached to a wall, with a sliding horizontal arm that can be lowered to the top of the person's head to record their height.
10
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The Electronic Scale is a device used to measure the weight of objects. It utilizes electronic sensors to detect the force applied by the object and displays the corresponding weight measurement on a digital display.

More about "Heel"

The posterior part of the foot, also known as the calcaneus or the rearfoot, plays a crucial role in weight-bearing and ambulation.
This anatomical structure, composed of the calcaneus bone and the overlying soft tissues, provides a stable base for the rest of the foot.
Understanding the anatomy and function of the heel is essential for healthcare providers to diagnose and treat a variety of foot and ankle disorders, such as plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinitis, and heel spurs.
These conditions can cause pain and disrupt normal foot function.
Proper foot care, including the use of appropriate footwear and stretching exercises, can help maintain heel health and prevent or manage these issues.
Diagnostic tools like MATLAB, Visual3D, Stadiometer, Sahara Clinical Bone Sonometer, Digital scale, and Vicon motion capture system can be used to assess the biomechanics and structure of the heel.
The Wall-mounted stadiometer and Electronic scale can also provide valuable information about the individual's height and weight, which can impact heel function.
By understanding the anatomy, function, and common conditions affecting the heel, healthcare providers can develop more effective treatment plans and preventive strategies to help patients maintain optimal foot health and improve their quality of life.