Dynamic stability in runners with and without plantar fasciitis

BackgroundPlantar fasciitis (PF) is a common overuse injury experienced by runners. PF may decrease the ability of the plantar fascia to create tension and reduce stability of the foot. Stability of the foot is necessary for whole-body dynamic stability during running which consists of cyclical periods of single leg stance. Given that a major risk factor for running-related injury is previous injury, evaluating dynamic stability in runners with PF, runners with resolved PF, and healthy runners may elucidate differences between these individuals and clarify risk for secondary injury in these groups.Research questionIs dynamic stability reduced in runners with PF and runners with resolved PF compared to healthy runners?MethodsThirty runners were recruited for this retrospective comparative study based on mileage and injury status: current PF (PF), resolved PF (RPF), or healthy (CON). Kinematic and kinetic data were collected during running and dynamic stability was determined by time-to-contact (TtC) analysis for early, mid, and late stance to the anterior, posterior, medial, and lateral boundary of the foot. Dynamic stability was compared between groups one-way ANOVAs (α = 0.05) and Tukey post-hoc tests conducted when appropriate. Cohen’s d effect sizes (d) were reported for all TtC comparisons (small = 0.20, medium = 0.50, large = 0.80).ResultsTtC values were shorter in PF compared to the other groups to all boundaries during mid-stance. TtC was significantly greater in PF compared to RPF to the anterior boundary during late stance.SignificanceShorter TtC observed in PF compared to the other groups during midstance may indicate reduced dynamic stability during the most stable portion of running which may lead to increased injury risk.     

Association of quadriceps angle with plantar pressure distribution,navicular height and calcaneo-tibial angle

ObjectiveThe aim of study was to analyze the association between Quadriceps Angle (QA) and plantar pressure, navicular height (NH), and calcaneo-tibial angle (CTA).MethodsA total of 64 volunteers (mean age: 22.25 ± 2.54 (range:19–33)) participated in this cross sectional study. EMED-m (Novel GmbH, Germany) electronic pedobarograph was employed for dynamic plantar pressure measurement using two step protocol. The angle between the vertical axis of calcaneus and the long axis of Achilles tendon for CTA. The height of navicular tubercle from the ground was measured while the subject was standing on both feet for NH. QA was measured while the subject was standing in a relaxed posture where both feet bearing equal weight.ResultsThere were significant negative correlations between QA and maximum force (MxF) under the 4th. metatarsal head (MH4). The QA was also significantly correlated with MxF and force-time integral (FTI) under the bigtoe (BT). FTI under the 3rd. metatarsal head (MH3), MH4 and 5th. metatarsal head (MH5) were significantly negatively correlated with QA. Pressure-time integral (PTI) under the MH4 and MH5 were found to be significantly negatively correlated with QA. A significant correlation was also found between QA and NH (p < 0.0001), whilst there was no correlation between QA and CTA. Regression analysis showed that NH was appeared as the major contributor for the QA (β = −0.49, p < 0.001) in the dynamic condition, followed by BT-FTI (β = 0.37, p < 0.001) and MH5-MxF (β = −0.21, p < 0.037).ConclusionThese findings may imply that the NH which can at least be controlled by appropriate shoe inserts may affect QA. This way, loading pattern of both plantar region and whole lower extremity may be altered.Level of evidenceLevel III, Diagnostic Study.     

A comparison of two rehabilitation protocols after total knee arthroplasty: does flexion affect mobility and blood loss?

We report a prospective trial comparing the effectveness of a post-operative flexion regime versus a standard extension regime on the early outcome and on the post-operative blood loss of total knee arthroplasty. Fourty-eight knees were divided to two different post-operative rehabilitation regimes: a flexion regime and an extension regime. The two groups were well matched with respect to age, gender, operation side and pre-op diagnosis All patients were implanted with a NexGen cemented total knee prosthesis and all operations were performed by the same surgeon. Patients were assessed pre-operatively, at the time of discharge, at 6 weeks and at 12 weeks, and were evaluated by means of the Knee Society Score (KSS) and the WOMAC score, the Clarkson criteria for range of motion and muscolar strength measurement, and the Verbal Numeric Scale (VNS) for the pain. Futhermore, postoperative blood loss was assessed by comparing the volume of blood in the drain at the time of their removal and measuring the difference in preoperative and postoperative blood haemoglobin (Hb) in the 2 groups. Patients subjected to the flexion regime had a better KSS and Womac score after 12 weeks and had less post-operative blood loss, requiring fewer blood transfusions. No differences were found between the two groups in terms of pain and muscolar strength. We believe a flexion regime after a total knee arthroplasty is a valid option of rehabilitation treatment and does not result in an increase in wound problems.     

膝关节 Q 角变化规律的实验研究

本研究利用精密三维位移测读仪，研究分析了Ｑ角的变化趋势，以及对髌股关节运动的影响。研究结果表明，Ｑ角是一空间夹角，随屈膝角的增大而增大。力线在平面上的投影所呈的平面夹角Ｑｐ也就是通常所指的Ｑ角，在屈膝１５°左右达最大，而在９０°左右达最小。整个屈膝过程中，ＱＰ在５°－１５°之间变化，变化幅度达１０°左右。     

A review of the effects of external pressure on skin blood flow

The human foot is a complex mechanical structure consisting of bones, ligaments and joints. They act together to provide a robust system capable of absorbing and dissipating the intermitted pressure that is subjected to its plantar surface during walking to prevent soft tissue breakdown. Current studies suggest that plantar foot pressure may lead to soft tissue breakdown (e.g. neuropathic ulceration) and hence research has so far concentrated on investigating the mechanical effects of plantar foot pressure on the foot’s integrity. This has been possible through the widely available pressure and force platforms as well as in-shoe pressure systems. However, to understand how plantar foot pressure causes soft tissue breakdown it is vital to investigate both the physiological–mechanical interactions between the skin and plantar foot pressure. This review suggests that with the current advances in technology, the physiological response of skin blood flow to mechanical plantar foot pressure should be investigated and correlated further, both during static and dynamic loading, by developing a new system capable of either measuring both variables simultaneously or by synchronising two systems in real time.     

Reconstruction of plantar defects

Plantar defects are a challenge for the plastic surgeon; from 1984–1995 59 operations were performed in 57 patients. The radial forearm flap and the latissimus dorsi (LD) flaps were mainly used depending on the amount of tissue loss. Local flaps such as dorsalis pedis and instep flaps were used for smaller defects. The radial forearm flap is ideal in terms of thickness and stability for the sole but limited in its size. The LD flap is a safe procedure especially for severe injuries and osteitis, but has the disadvantage of being bulky and debulking procedures are frequently performed. For nerve reconstruction deep sensibility seems to be sufficient in order to obtain stable postoperative results. In this report the different operative methods are evaluated. Since 1991, the patients were monitored with static and dynamic foot pressure measurements and gait analysis to assess the postoperative result and prevent pressure ulcers, scar irritation and hyperkeratosis. Preoperative investigations may contribute to an optimal schedule for planning and stabilization of the operative regimen.     

蝎毒素Ⅳ的中枢镇痛作用

从东亚钳蝎粗毒中分离纯化出蝎毒素Ⅳ，经套管注入侧脑室，用辐射热测痛和屈肌反射检测两种方法，观察蝎毒素Ⅳ的中枢镇痛作用，结果蝎毒索Ⅳ可以明显延长大鼠缩腿潜伏期，并可显著抑制Ｃ纤维诱发的屈肌反射。提示蝎毒素Ⅳ具有显著的中枢镇痛作用。     

The significance of somatosensory stimulations to the human foot in the control of postural reflexes

 The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible pathways in the somatosensory system that relate to the postural reflexes in the leg muscles during a sudden, toes-up platform rotation. The inputs to the cutaneous mechanoreceptors in the sole of the foot as well as to the joint receptors in the ankle joint were modulated by standing on different supporting surfaces and by immobilizing the ankle joints; and three leg muscle responses (characterized by short latency, medium latency, and long latency) to the platform movement were recorded in 15 healthy young subjects. It was found that: (1) the short latency was not affected by the changes in either plantar pressure or ankle joint movement; (2) the medium latency was regulated by the plantar pressures under the foot, as sensed by the cutaneous mechanoreceptors in the sole of the foot, and by the ankle joint movement, as perceived by the joint receptors in the ankle joint; (3) the long latency was also related to the ankle joint movement, but this relation seems to be modulated by the plantar pressures under the foot; and (4) both medium and long latencies were well correlated with the time derivative of the pressure difference between the forefoot and the rear foot regions (r=0.7), as well as with the static pressure in the antagonist foot region (r>0.6). Received: 12 January 1996 / Accepted: 30 September 1996     

男子下蹲式抓举技术动作的生物力学特征分析

目的研究不同抓举重量下男子抓举技术动作的生物力学特征。方法利用8通道EMG测量系统、三维测力平衡系统和数码摄像机,对上海市举重队现役男子举重运动员在不同重量下抓举过程中的8块具有代表性的浅层骨骼肌的表面肌电、足底反力和抓举视频做同步采集。结果不同抓举重量下举重运动员的足底反力变化曲线趋势一致,基于足底反力曲线中的特征点对抓举技术动作阶段可划分为7个阶段,预备阶段、伸膝提铃阶段、引膝提铃阶段、发力阶段、惯性上升阶段、下降定铃阶段和起立阶段。抓举过程中肌群活动的时间顺序为:背阔肌、竖脊肌、肌直肌、三角肌、肱三头肌、胫骨前肌、肱二头肌和斜方肌。其中,斜方肌的积分肌电值最大,背阔肌的积分肌电值最小。随着抓举重量的增加,肱三头肌和三角肌的积分肌电值增加最大。结论为提高举重运动员抓举项目的比赛成绩,运动员应该重视斜方肌、肱三头肌和三角肌的训练。