Validation and reliability of mechanical stiffness assessment tools in multilayered polyurethane phantom models of healthy and diabetic plantar soft tissues.

Abstract

Plantar soft tissue stiffness plays a crucial role in the development of diabetic foot complications, but in vivo assessments are constrained by anatomical variability and probe-induced measurement artifacts. To develop anatomically layered polyurethane phantom models mimicking healthy and diabetic plantar soft tissues and evaluate the reliability and concurrent validity of four mechanical stiffness assessment tools, [MyotonPRO, Shore Durometer, IndentoPRO, and Tissue Compliance Meter (TCM)] aga