Dear all,
Jay ended his message with the words::
>I think you have me sold on the "stiffness" term. Now
>I think we should evaluate the unit or method by which
>we can communicate this variable.
And that is exactly my point. How will we do that in a way that can be
implemented during a normal podiatric session ?
I tried to come up with something simple. How do you like the following
device.
Everybody normally has some sofft PPT like material of different densities
around. Cutting a small piece of a square centimeter and glueing a stiff
thin plate at the top and the bottom end of it, produces a crude pressure
measurement device.
Next step is to calibrate this "load cell" by loading it with known weights
till top and bottom plate are at their closest position, with the soft
material maximally flatten. Sophisticating the devise attaching a small
scale at the side of the device enables intermediate readings.
Using different material densities produces load cells with different
sensitivities.
Now, in order to measure stiffness of the first ray, we proceed as usual as
for measuring 1st ray mobility according to Root, but with the load cell
under the 1st meta head. Monitoring the deflection of the 1st meta with
the load cell maximally ( or partially when using the attache scale
division) flatten, enables a crude estimation of the joint stiffness.
I did not try this device, it is just a first mental exercise. Who is
willing to try it out or come up with a different solution? The
competition for the best hobyist among us is open.
Have fun,
Bart
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Bart Van Gheluwe
Laboratory of Biomechanics
Vrije Universiteit Brussel -Fac. LK
Vakgroep BIOM
Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussel, Belgium
Tel.: 02/629.27.33 (31)
Fax: 02/629.27.36
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