Materials and Methods Specimens Tested

In the study of the fundamentals of human locomotion and problems of ot-thotic design, it became apparent that more knowledge of the mechanism of support for the architecture of the foot was required. Of particular interest itt this respect are the mechanical properties of the ligaments, especially their behavior under loading. According to Straub there is no difference histologically between other liga-mentous structures of the foot and the plantat- fascia. This tissue was chosen for study because its length and accessibility permit it to be tested more easily than similar structures. An earlier attempt to investigate the elastic properties of the deltoid ligament had been abandoned because of technical difficulties. In this study specimens of plantar fascia were subjected to a progressive load in the long axis and the resulting elongation and subsequent recovery were measured. In a complementary study, the elasticity of plantar fascia was tested in a living subject