Search Results
Abstract
Background: The effectiveness of different energy levels used in extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) have been investigated in previous studies, but controversy remains regarding which energy levels should be used in the treatment of plantar fasciitis. The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy of different energy levels used in ESWT in the treatment of plantar fasciitis through comparisons of plantar fascia thickness and pressure distribution.
Methods: Between July 2020 and September 2020, a total of 51 patients (71 feet) with plantar fasciitis were randomized into three treatment groups using the sealed envelope method. Group 1 (n = 25) received low energy density (0.09 mJ/mm2 ), Group 2 (n = 25) received medium energy density (0.18 mJ/mm2), and Group 3 (n = 21) received high energy density (0.38 mJ/mm2). All groups received three sessions of ESWT with a frequency of 2,000 shocks/min at one week intervals. The patients were evaluated before and after treatment using a visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, the Foot Function Index (FFI), and plantar fascia thickness measured by ultrasonography, and plantar pressure distribution.
Results: The posttreatment VAS and FFI scores were determined to be statistically significantly lower than the pretreatment values in all three groups (p<0.001). There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of the pre and post treatment values of VAS, FFI scores, plantar fascia thickness and pressure distribution (p>0.05). No statistically significant difference was found between the groups in terms of percentage changes in all the outcome parameters (p>0.05).
Conclusions: The results of the study suggest that neither low, medium, or high levels of ESWT were superior to one another in terms of pain, foot functions, fascia thickness and pressure distribution in the treatment of plantar fasciitis.
Abstract
Background: It’s important to determine the plantar pressure distribution of school children by applying static and dynamic foot analyses using a pedobarography device. However, it’s difficult to obtain clear interpretations from results which can be explained by a large number of plantar pressure variables. The aim of this study is to use Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to predict main components for reducing the size of big data sets, provide a practical overview and minimize information loss on the subject of plantar pressure assessment in youths.
Methods: In total, 112 school children were included in the current study (average age 10.58 ± 1.27 years, body mass index 18.86 ± 4.33 kg / m2). During the research, a Sensor Medica Freemed pedobarography device was used to obtain plantar pressure data. Each foot was divided into six anatomical regions and evaluated. Global and regional plantar pressure distribution, load and surface areas, pressure time integrals, weight ratios and geometric foot properties were calculated.
Results: PCA yielded ten principal component (PC) that together account for 81.88% of the variation in the data set and represent new and distinct patterns. Thus, 137 variables affecting the subject were reduced to ten components.
Conclusions: Static and dynamic plantar pressure distribution, which is affected by many variables, can be reduced to ten components by PCA, making the research results more concise and understandable.
BACKGROUND: Although pilon fractures are rare, they are important for orthopedic surgeons because of the difficulty of treatment and adverse effects on gait function. The aim of the study to evaluate the relationship between the reduction quality of the fracture, functional results, ankle arthrosis and plantar pressure distribution in patients with tibia pilon fractures. METHODS: In this study, a total of 62 patients treated for an intraarticular pilon fracture in our clinic between January 2015 and January 2019 were evaluated retrospectively. Postoperative reduction qualities of the patients were evaluated with the Ovadia-Beals criteria, ankle functional scores with the Teeny-Wiss score, and ankle arthrosis with the Takakura classification. In the last follow-up of the patients, foot loading analysis was performed and the results of the patients were evaluated for their relation with postoperative reduction quality, ankle functions and ankle arthrosis. RESULTS: There were 62 patients (50 men and 12 women). The average age was 43.3 years (range 19-78). The mean follow-up was 34.3 months (range 24 - 58). The mean Ovadia-Beals score was 12.35 {plus minus} 4.6 in the postoperative plain radiographs of the patients; the mean Teeny-Wiss score in the last follow-up was 76.82 {plus minus} 17.69, and the Takakura score was 1.47 {plus minus} 1.35. Based on the pedobarographic measurements, 47.58% of the patients put weight on the anterior and 52.42% on the posterior of the foot in the anteroposterior plane. In the mediolateral plane, 42.15% loaded on the medial of the ankle and 57.85% loaded on the lateral of the foot. CONCLUSION: Intra-articular tibia pilon fractures can be demonstrated by lateralization of the walking axis and changes in gait patterns and can be associated with clinical outcome.
