Search Results
Varus and valgus wedging are commonly used by podiatric physicians in therapy with custom-made foot orthoses. This study aimed to provide scientific evidence of the effects on plantar foot pressure of applying in-shoe forefoot or rearfoot wedging. The plantar foot pressure distribution of 23 subjects walking on a treadmill was recorded using a pressure insole system for seven different wedging conditions, ranging from 3° valgus to 6° varus for the forefoot and from 4° valgus to 8° varus for the rearfoot. The results demonstrate that increasing varus wedging magnifies peak pressure and maximal loading rate at the medial forefoot and rearfoot, whereas increasing valgus wedging magnifies peak pressure and maximal loading rate at the lateral forefoot and rearfoot. As expected, the location of the center of pressure shifts medially with varus wedging and laterally with valgus wedging. However, these shifts are less significant than those in peak load and maximal loading rate. Timing variables such as interval from initial impact to peak load do not seem to be affected by forefoot or rearfoot wedging. Finally, rearfoot wedging does not significantly influence pressure variables of the forefoot; similarly, rearfoot pressure remains unaffected by forefoot wedging. (J Am Podiatr Med Assoc 94(1): 1-11, 2004)
The objective of this study was to determine whether a correlation exists between abnormal pronation and functional leg-length discrepancies. Visual assessment and a pelvic thrust maneuver were used to identify the functionally short leg in 56 indigenous Mexicans (20 males and 36 females; mean age, 33 years; mean weight, 59 kg; and mean height, 1.60 m). The Foot Posture Index was used with a modified stance position to identify the more pronated foot. The posterosuperior iliac spines were used to identify the “relative” position of the innominate bones. The raw data obtained from this study were evaluated using the McNemar test for paired proportions. A significant positive correlation was found between abnormal pronation and hip position and between hip position and functional leg-length discrepancy. These results are consistent with a theoretical ascending dysfunctional pelvic model: Abnormal pronation pulls the innominate bones anteriorly (forward); anterior rotation of the innominate bones shifts the acetabula posteriorly and cephalad (backward and upward); and this shift in the acetabula hyperextends the knees and shortens the legs, with the shortest leg corresponding to the most pronated foot. (J Am Podiatr Med Assoc 96(6): 499-507, 2006)
Background
Morton's neuroma is a frequently painful condition of the forefoot, causing patients to seek medical care to alleviate symptoms. A plethora of therapeutic options is available, some of which include injection therapies. Researchers have investigated injection therapy for Morton's neuroma, and latterly the evidence base has been augmented with methods that use diagnostic ultrasound as a vehicle to deliver the injectate under image guidance for additional accuracy. To date, there seems to be no consensus that ultrasound-guided injections provide better therapeutic outcomes than nonguided injections for the treatment of Morton's neuroma.
Methods
A systematic review was chosen because this method can undertake such a process. The review process identified 13 key papers using predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria, which then underwent methodological quality assessment using a pretested Quality Index. A narrative synthesis of the review findings is presented in light of the heterogeneity of the data from the extraction process.
Results
This systematic review provides an argument that ultrasound guidance can produce better short- and long-term pain relief for corticosteroid injections, can reduce the need for additional procedures in a series of sclerosing alcohol injections, can reduce the surgical referral rate, and can add efficacy to a single injection.
Conclusions
Ultrasound guidance should be considered for injection therapy in the management of Morton's neuroma.
Background: Distal fibula fractures at the ankle level are common and are usually accompanied by ligament injuries. This study aims to evaluate the effects of ankle ligament ruptures on ankle joints, fracture instability, and plate stress after distal fibula fracture fixed with a plate created by finite element analysis modeling and loading applied to ligament rupture models that may accompany this fracture.
Methods: A finite element model consisting of three-dimensional fibula, tibia, foot bones, and ankle ligaments was designed to investigate the effects of ligament injuries accompanying plate-detected AO type 44B2.1 fractures on fracture detection, fixation material, and ankle joints. Then, the results were evaluated by modeling ligament rupture in six different ways.
Results: In the modeling where the deltoid and talofibular ligaments are broken together, instability is highest in the ankle (2.31 mm) and fracture line (0.15 mm). The rupture of the anterior and posterior tibiofibular ligaments associated with syndesmosis caused less instability in the fracture and ankle than the single-ligament rupture models of both the deltoid and talofibular ligaments.
Conclusions: In the finite element modeling of AO type 44B2.1 fractures detected with plate, the importance and potential effects of often-overlooked ankle ligament injuries are pointed out. Note that when treating ankle injuries, the ankle should be treated as a whole, with both bone and soft tissue. In some cases, the fracture may represent the visible tip of the iceberg.