• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.53-57
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• 2010

Purpose: This study was designed to evaluate the clinical and radiographical results of anatomical reconstruction by Chen method for chronic lateral ankle instability. Materials and Methods: Fifteen patients with chronic lateral ankle instability who had undergone anatomical reconstruction of anterior talofibular and calcaneofibular ligaments by Chen method were evaluated retrospectively. Average age of the patients was 31.3 years, and average follow-up period was 15.5 months. Preoperative and postoperative radiographs including varus stress view and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were analyzed. The clinical evaluation was performed according to the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) scale. Results: Radiographically average talar tilt angle was $15.3^{\circ}$ preoperatively, and the difference with contralateral normal side was $10.1^{\circ}$. At last follow up, talar tile angle and the difference with contralateral side improved to $5.9^{\circ}$ and $1.3^{\circ}$ respectively. AOFAS scale was 66.6 preoperatively and 87.3 postoperatively. In MRI findings, four patients had associated intra-articular lesion such as articular cartilage defect, synovitis and osteoarthritis. The talar tilt angle improvement and AOFAS scale of patients without intra-articular lesion was better than those of four patients with intra-articular lesions. Surgical wound pain occurred in six patients and sural neuropathy in three patients. Conclusion: The anatomical reconstruction by Chen method was an easy and effective procedure for symptomatic chronic lateral ankle instability. Careful operative technique may prevent the surgical wound pain and sural neuropathy.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.145-151
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• 2016

Purpose: To evaluate the reliability of preoperative and postoperative distal metatarsal articular angle (DMAA) measurements and to determine whether such reliability is different in accordance with the foot and ankle fellowship and the number of years in practice. Materials and Methods: Between July 2012 and June 2014, a total of 20 patients (24 feet) were treated with proximal chevron osteotomy and distal soft tissue procedure for symptomatic hallux valgus deformity. DMAA were measured twice with an interval of two weeks between the preoperative and postoperative dorsoplantar radiographs by four observers; two of whom were foot and ankle surgeons (A and B), one knee surgeon, and one senior resident. The intraobserver reproducibility and interobserver reliability were assessed by intraclass correlation coefficients. Moreover, the limit of agreement between the preoperative and postoperative DMAA measurements were assessed using a Bland-Altman plot. Results: The intraobserver reproducibility of the foot and ankle surgeon A, knee surgeon, and senior resident improved from 0.796, 0.575, and 0.586 preoperatively to 0.968, 0.864, and 0.864 postoperatively, respectively. The interobserver reliability of foot and ankle surgeon A-B, foot and ankle surgeon A-knee surgeon, and foot and ankle surgeon A-senior resident improved from 0.874, 0.688, and 0.677 preoperatively to 0.971, 0.917, and 0.838 postoperatively, respectively. Conclusion: The intra- and interobserver reliabilities for DMAA measurement improved after proximal chevron osteotomy. Therefore, the necessity of additional procedures to correct the increased DMAA should be reevaluated after proximal chevron osteotomy in the hallux valgus with an increased DMAA.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.61-70
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• 2019

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of the declination of the subtalar joint rotation axis and the structural features of the ankle joint complex such as rear-foot angle alignment and ligament laxity test between chronic ankle instability (CAI) patients and healthy control. Method: A total of 76 subjects and CAI group (N=38, age: $23.11{\pm}7.63yrs$, height: $165.67{\pm}9.54cm$, weight: $60.13{\pm}11.71kg$) and healthy control (N=38, age: $23.55{\pm}7.03yrs$, height: $167.92{\pm}9.22cm$, weight: $64.58{\pm}13.40kg$) participated in this study. Results: The declination of the subtalar joint rotation axis of the CAI group was statistically different from healthy control in both sagittal slope and transverse slope. The rear-foot angle of CAI group was different from a healthy control. Compared to healthy control, they had the structure of rear-foot varus that could have a high occurrence rate of ankle varus sprain. CAI group had loose ATFL and CFL compared to the healthy control. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the deviation of the subtalar joint rotation axis and the structural features of the ankle joint complex were different between the CAI group and the healthy control and this difference is a meaningful factor in the occurrence of lateral ankle sprains.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.26-32
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• 2023

Objective: This study attempted to compare the effects of bridge exercise using a sling according to the angle of the ankle to confirm the effective lower extremity muscle activation posture of patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome(PFPS). Design: Cross-sectional study Methods: Seventeen patients with PFPS were recruited and the muscle activities of the vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, rectus femoris, and gluteus maximus were measured according to the ankle position (dorsiflexion, neutral, plantar flexion). After measuring the maximum number of isometric contractions of vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, rectus femoris, and gluteus maximus, bridging exercise using a sling according to each ankle posture was applied to measure lower extremity muscle activity. The evaluation was performed 3 times for 10 seconds. The three ankle postures were randomly performed and the average values were compared. Results: As a result of this study, the vastus medialis muscle showed high muscle activity in the order of dorsiflexion, plantar flexion, and neutral position bridge exercise (p<0.05). And the vastus lateralis showed high muscle activity in the order of dorsiflexion, neutral, and plantar flexion (p<0.05). However, rectus femoris and gluteus maximus did not show significant muscle activity according to the ankle posture, but muscle activity was highest in the dorsiflexion posture. Conclusions: As a result of this study, muscle activity was high in the order of vastus medialis and vastus lateralis during ankle dorsiflexion. This is thought to be a major factor that can be applied in various ways in clinical practice according to the ankle angle when treating PFPS patients.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.176-180
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• 2015

Purpose: The aim of the current study is to report on the clinical and radiographic results after calcaneo-stop procedure in Korean children with symptomatic flexible flatfoot. Materials and Methods: Twenty-two children suffering pain along the medial aspect of midfoot with flexible flatfoot whose symptoms did not improve with conservative measures and therefore underwent calcaneo-stop procedure were identified retrospectively. Clinically, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot scale and visual analogue scale (VAS) were evaluated. Radiographically, standing anteroposterior and lateral radiographs of the foot and Saltzman's alignment views were taken and talonavicular coverage angle, lateral talo-first metatarsal angle, and hindfoot alignment angles were measured and analyzed. Results: Clinically, AOFAS ankle-hindfoot scale improved from $70.3{\pm}5.6$ to $97.3{\pm}2.5$ and VAS improved from $6.4{\pm}1.6$ to $0.2{\pm}0.4$. Radiographically, talonavicular coverage angle improved from $28.3^{\circ}{\pm}12.3^{\circ}$ to $10.9^{\circ}{\pm}8.1^{\circ}$, lateral talo-first metatarsal angle improved from $-19.3^{\circ}{\pm}9.0^{\circ}$ to $-2.4^{\circ}{\pm}8.1^{\circ}$, and hindfoot alignment angle improved from valgus $11.9^{\circ}{\pm}10.0^{\circ}$ to $3.5^{\circ}{\pm}4.3^{\circ}$ at minimum 2-year follow-up. No complications occurred postoperatively. Conclusion: Calcaneo-stop procedure is a simple and very effective procedure for management of pediatric symptomatic flexible flatfoot that does not respond to conservative treatment.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.165-172
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was to determine effects of 12-week wearing of unstable shoe on the standing posture and gait mechanics. Nine healthy men were asked to wear the unstable shoes for 12-week and walk for 30 minute everyday. Their standing posture and gait mechanics were measured before and after treatment. Standing posture was measured for each side(anterior, posterior, lateral) for standing position. And gait analysis was measured joint angle of a right lower limb between first right heel contact and second right heel contact. Kinematic data were collected using video camera at 30 frame per seconds. Statistical analysis was paired t-test(p<.05) to compare before training with after that. A head tilt angle was significantly decreased for posterior side(p<.05). The angle of between center of line and surface was significantly decreased at midstance and take off during walking(p<.05). Ankle dorsiflexion significantly increased at heel contact2(p<.05) and ankle plantarflexion significantly increased at midstance and midswing(p<.05). The increase of ankle dorsiflexion showed that our results consisted with previous study. In conclusion, there was not large significant difference in static standing posture but joint angle of lower limb represented many changes with increasing of ankle motion during walking. These were of benefit to body by increasing leg muscle activity but it was necessary for man having a ankle problem to consider. Further studies concerning optimum outsole angle of unstable shoes are necessary.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.293-299
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• 2014

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of functional training using a sliding rehabilitation machine (SRM) on the mobility of the ankle joint and balance in children with cerebral palsy (CP). METHODS: The subjects consisted of 11 children who were diagnosed with spastic CP. They carried out the functional training using the SRM for 30 minutes, three times a week, for 8 weeks. Before and after all of the training sessions, the subjects were tested using the Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS) and Gross Motor Function Measurement (GMFM), range of motion (ROM) in the ankle joint, the pennation angle of the gastrocnemius muscle and the fascicle length of gastrocnemius muscle were measured to determine the mobility of the ankle joint and balance ability. RESULTS: There were significant differences between the pre-test and post-test in the PBS and GMFM. The ROM of the ankle joint was significantly increased after the functional training using the SRM. Moreover, the fascicle length was increased and the pennation angle was decreased after the functional training using the SRM, but the difference was not significant. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that functional training using the SRM may have some effect on the mobility of ankle joint and balance in children with CP. According to the results, this study could present an approach to the rehabilitation or treatment of children with CP.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.37-42
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• 2022

Objective: The aim of this study is to analyze the effect of the strength of the ankle support on the walking characteristics and ankle joints when men with flexible flat feet walk. Method: 13 adult male subjects (age: 23.9 ± 2.4 yrs, height: 173.0 ± 5.0 cm, weight: 76.9 ± 13.2 kg, Navicular Drop Test (NDT): 10.2 ± 0.8 mm) participated in this study. Each participant had to walk with the 3 conditions, barefoot, soft arch support and hard arch support, along a walkway while their kinematics was recorded at 100 Hz. Results: Based on the results of this study, it is considered that men with flexible flat feet should use hard arch support rather than bare feet to induce normal arch shape, relieve foot damage caused by excessive ankle joint abnormalities and improve stability. Conclusion: Our results for men with flat flexibility, there was a significant difference in the value of step length when walking was performed using two arch supports with different strengths. The angle of ankle dorsiflexion was significantly increased, and the ankle eversion angle was significantly decreased.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.56-59
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• 2006

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to find out the normal distal tibial articular surface angle in coronal plane in Koreans. This would be helpful as the basic data for ankle reconstruction after trauma or deformity correction. Materials and Methods: Weight bearing anteroposterior radiographs of 123 normal ankles were reviewed. A line parallel to the shaft of the tibia was made. Another line was drawn parallel to the articular surface of the distal tibia. The superolateral angle that subtended by these two lines was measured. Results: There were 72 males and 51 females. The mean age overall was 35.7 years old. The mean age for males was 31.9 ($28{\sim}36$) years old. The mean age for females was 41.1 ($37{\sim}45$) years old. The mean distal tibial articular surface angle was $90.8^{\circ}$. The mean distal tibial articular surface angle for males was $91.5^{\circ}$ and for females $89.9^{\circ}$. Conclusion: The mean distal tibial articular surface angle in coronal plane for Koreans is $90.8^{\circ}$. We can avoid the error of the varization at the ankle alignment when the correction was performed vertical or minimal valgus to tibia tuberosity axis in Korean people.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.133-139
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• 2020

Background: The gastrocnemius (GCM) is one of the lower extremity muscles that tend to tighten easily. GCM tightness results in limited ankle dorsi-flexion (DF), especially when the knee joint is fully extended. Joint flexibility is determined by the morphological and physiological characteristics of joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Impaired joint flexibility can be attributed to increased susceptibility to muscle injury. High-frequency diathermy is clinically used to reduce pain and muscle tightness and to improve limited range of motion. Objects: This study aimed to investigate the immediate effects of high-frequency therapy in subjects with GCM tightness. Methods: The study was designed as a one-group before-after trial. The subjects included 28 volunteers with GCM tightness (an active ankle DF angle of less than 12°) without any known neurological and musculoskeletal pathologies in the ankle and calf areas. WINBACK Transfer Electrode Capacitive and Resistive Therapy equipment was used to apply high-frequency therapy to the subjects' GCMs for 10-15 minutes. The pennation angle and the fascicle length of the GCM were measured using ultrasonography. The flexibility of the ankle joint, peak torque to the passive ankle DF (Biodex), and soft tissue stiffness (MyotonPRO) were also measured. Results: The pennation angle was significantly decreased following the treatment; however, no significant difference in the fascicle length was found (p < 0.05). The flexibility was significantly increased and both the passive peak torque to passive ankle DF and the soft tissue stiffness significantly decreased (p < 0.05). Conclusion: High-frequency therapy is immediately effective for improving the muscle's architectural properties and functional factors in subjects with GCM tightness. Further longitudinal clinical studies are required to investigate the long-term effects of high-frequency therapy on subjects with GCM tightness from various causes.