Wang, C.-L.C.-L.WangShau, Y.-W.Y.-W.ShauHsu, T.-C.T.-C.HsuChen, H.-C.H.-C.ChenYIO-WHA SHAU2020-04-282020-04-281999https://scholars.lib.ntu.edu.tw/handle/123456789/486508We compared the mechanical properties of normal and reconstructed heel pads in seven patients. Four had latissimus dorsi flaps and one each an anterior thigh flap, a local dorsalis pedis flap and a sural arterial flap. The thickness of the heel pad was measured under serial incremental loads of 0.5 kg to a maximum of 3 kg and then relaxed sequentially. The load-displacement curve of the heel pad during a loading-unloading cycle was plotted and from this the unloaded heel-pad thickness (UHPT), compressibility index (CI), elastic modulus (Ep), and energy dissipation ratio (EDR) were calculated. The EDR was significantly increased in the reconstructed heels (53.7 ± 18% v 23.4 ± 6.5%, p = 0.003) indicating that in them more energy is dissipated as heat. Insufficient functional capacity in the reconstructed heel pad can lead to the development of shock-induced discomfort and ulceration.[SDGs]SDG3adult; article; clinical article; compression; diabetes mellitus; diabetic foot; energy; female; foot injury; heat; heel; human; latissimus dorsi flap; male; mechanics; priority journal; thickness; tissue flap; treatment outcome; young modulusjournal article10.1302/0301-620X.81B2.90562-s2.0-0032796859https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-0032796859&doi=10.1302%2f0301-620X.81B2.9056&partnerID=40&md5=74ca14ed7f02b9e9782e9ef42ae33f4f