• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.1259-1267
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• 2023

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a acute ankle mobility exercise (AE) program on the range of motion and pain levels associated with chronic ankle instability (CAI). Twenty adult women with an average score of 24 or less on both sides in the ankle instability questionnaire were selected and divided into two groups: the Ankle Mobility Exercise Program group (AE, n=10) and the control group (CON, n=10). The AE treatment involved a one-time, 20-minute exercise session for each ankle, conducted separately on the left and right ankles, to examine the response to a acute exercise. Measures of ankle instability, pain, and ankle range of motion were evaluated before and after the treatment. In the AE group, which underwent the AE program, a significant decrease in pain was observed post-AE compared to pre-AE (p<.01). In addition, an increase in dorsiflexion was observed in the AE group post-AE compared to pre-AE following the AE program(p<.05). These results suggest that a acute AE program can effectively alleviate some aspects of ankle instability by improving ankle pain and range of motion in adult women with chronic ankle instability (CAI).

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.63-72
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• 2022

Purpose : Several studies have investigated the effects of dynamic stretching (DS) and self-mobilization (SM), however, studies comparing the two interventions are rare. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare the effects of DS and SM on ankle strength, dorsiflexion range of motion (DFROM), and balance to determine which is superior. Methods : Thirty-two healthy young adults participated in this study. Participants were randomly assigned to two groups (SM and DS). DS was performed for the purpose of stretching the medial gastrocnemius muscle. For the SM group, ankle joint SM was performed in three ways. For all participants, the following measurements were performed as pre- and post-tests: isometric strength of dorsiflexor and plantar flexor, weight-bearing lunge test (WBLT) to evaluate DFROM, Tetrax system to evaluate static balance, and y balance test (YBT) to evaluate dynamic balance. Differences before and after the intervention within each group were compared using paired t-test. Also, the variable's variation was compared between groups using an independent t-test. Results : Significant differences were found in ankle dorsiflexor strength, WBLT, YBT, weight distribution index (WDI) (pillow and opened eyes; PO), and stability index (ST) (normal and closed eyes; NC) before and after intervention in the SM group (p<.05). In the DS group, significant differences were found in ankle dorsiflexor and plantar flexor strength, WBLT, YBT anterior, WDI (normal and opened eyes; NO, PO), and ST (NO, NC, PO, pillow and closed eyes) before and after the intervention (p<.05). Ankle plantar flexor strength and WDI (PO) were significantly different between groups. Conclusion : Based on the results of this study, DS or SM can be considered as a possibility for selective use according to variables for improving ankle joint function (DFROM, muscle strength, balance).

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.40-47
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• 2010

Purpose : To exam the effects of active ankle range of motion(ROM) exercise on sciatic nerve movement and provide the evidence that use it to patients with hypomobile sciatic nerve as a nerve mobilization technique. Methods : The subjects consist of 32 asymptomatic healthy adults(male; 15, female; 17) who have limited passive straight leg raising(PSLR) ranges below 70 degrees. First, examiner measures PSLR angles at three times. Then, subject was instructed perform the active ankle ROM exercise(dorsiflexion and plantarflextion) at limited angle. After each subject completed the active ankle ROM exercise, return the starting position and examiner measures the PSLR angles at three times again. Results : First, PSLR range was no significant differences between dominant and non-dominant leg(p >.05). Second, active ankle ROM exercise significantly increased PSLR range by mean of degrees(p <.05). Third, there was no learning effects among the measurement trials(p >.05). Conclusion : These data show that active ankle ROM exercise can mobilize the sciatic nerve. Therefore, it can be applied to patients with hypomobile sciatic nerve(sliding dysfunction) as a neural mobilization technique.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.401-412
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• 2015

Objective : The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of hip joint exercises and orthotics on RCSP, ankle's range of motion, and core muscle strength of middle school students with pes planus. Method : Out of the original pool of 200 students, 60 students with pes planus (RCSP < -2) were selected for the study. The selected 60 students were then divided into four groups. The first group was a combined orthotics and exercise group (12 students), the second was the orthotics-only group (9 students), the third was the exercise-only group (8 students), and the last was the control group (10 students). Exercise groups worked out twice a week for 60 minutes per session over 8 weeks. The independent variables were corrective hip joint exercises and orthotics. The dependant variables consisted of kinematic and kinetic variables. The kinematic variables were RCSP, and ankle's range of motion (dorsiflexion and plantarflexion). The kinetic variables were muscles forces that consist in core muscle strength, which are hip joint adduction, abduction, and flexion muscles forces. Statistical analysis was performed via SPSS 18.0 with multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) and a paired t-test was used. Results : The left foot was more responsive to the treatments, both exercise and orthotics, than the right foot. RCSP improved significantly in the left foot for the first and third groups. Only the first group significantly improved hip joint adduction, abduction, and flexion muscles' strengths. As for the ankle's range of motion of the left foot, plantarflexion showed improvement when treated with exercise, orthotics, or both. Conclusion : This study found that exercise is more effective in correcting RCSP and foot orthotics is more effective in reinforcing core muscle strength. Future studies should expand on these results to examine the relationship between the ankle, hip, and pelvis.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.799-802
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• 2009

Purpose: Schwannoma is one of common neoplasm in the central and peripheral nervous systems. However, schwannoma of sciatic nerve is rare, especially large schwannoma arising in sciatic nerve is extremely rare. This is a report of our experience with large schwannoma arising in sciatic nerve with minimal neurologic symptoms. Methods: A 65 - year - old man presented with palpable mass in middle portion of posterior thigh. No definitive neurologic deficits were detected on physical examinations. CT and sonography showed well - defined mass with large dimension. The mass was excised and confirmed histologically as a schwannoma. In postoperative period, NCS and EMG were followed. Results: The patient complained of difficulty in dorsiflexion of ipsilateral ankle joint postoperatively. NCS and EMG obtained immediately and showed sciatic neuropathy. After 2 months postoperatively, NCS and EMG were followed and abnormal findings of previous NCS and EMG were not found. Dorsiflexion of ankle joint was improved to normal range of motion. Conclusion: We report a rare case of large schwannoma arising in sciatic nerve with no definitive neurologic symptoms.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.28-33
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• 2009

Purpose: This retrospective study was designed to evaluate the treatment results of chronic Achilles tendon rupture by Lindholm method. Materials and Methods: Between 2002 and 2006, we performed the reconstruction of the Achilles tendon by using of the gatrocnemius-sloeus fascia known as Lindholm method. Ten cases of ten patients were enrolled in this study (8 men and 2 women). The mean age of the patients at the time of operation was 49 years (range, 32${\sim}$66 years). The mean follow-up duration was 15.2 months (range, 12${\sim}$19 months). The retrospective review of the clinical history, physical examination, the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score were conducted. Results: The mean AOFAS score before surgery was 74.10${\pm}$2.56 and that of the latest follow-up was 90.60${\pm}$5.72. The excellent results were six and good results were four patients. Eight patients were normal triceps power and the others were good. The average of heel to floor distance was 4.5 mm less in the operated legs than the contralateral ones in each patient, but there was no significant difference (p>0.05). The average of calf muscle circumference in the mid-leg was 7.5 mm less in the operated legs than the contralateral ones and there was significant difference (p<0.05). The active range of motion of the ankles, mean plantarflexion was 40 degrees and dorsiflexion was 16.8 degrees in operated side. The contralateral side was 43 degrees in plantarflexion and 19 degrees in dorsiflexion. No case showed rerupture of the reconstructed Achilles tendon. One patient had the superficial wound infection which was treated successfully by antibiotic therapy. Conclusion: It was suggested that the overall results of Lindholm method for the chronic Achilles tendon rupture indicated satisfactory outcomes.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.457-467
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• 2005

Physiotherapyists frequently use manipulative therapy technique to treat dysfunctionand pain resulting from ankle sprain. Despite the high prevalence of lateral ankle ligament injuries, few studies are available indicating any physical associations with the development of lateral ankle ligament injuries, or information of treatment for lateral ankle ligament injuries. To investigate the effect of passive joint mobilization, the anteroposterior glide on the talus, on increasing weight-bearing dorsiflexion, single support time and VAS. Sixty lateral ankle ligament injuries (grade I and grade II) aged between 17 and 27 years (mean age 21) were recruited. Subjects were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 treatment groups. The control group received a protocol of rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE) and massage. The experimental group received the anteroposterior mobilization, using a force that avoided incurring any increase in pain, in addition to the RICE protocol. Subjects in both groups were treated every second day for a maximum of 2 weeks or until the discharge criteria were met, and all subjects were given a home program of continued RICE application. Outcomes were measured after each treatment. The results showed that the experimental group than the control group. Weight-bearing dorsiflexion (F=7.640, P<0.05), single support time (F=85.532, P<0.05) and VAS (F=10.610, P<0.050). Between-groups differences were observed as; experimental group is increased weight-bearing dorsiflexion, single support time and reduced VAS.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.10-18
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• 2012

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of weight shift training with joint mobilization on the ankle joint passive range of motion (PROM), balance capacity and gait velocity in hemiplegic patients. Fourteen subjects were randomly assigned to either the experimental group (EG) or the control group (CG), with seven subjects in each group. The EG received weight shift training with joint mobilization in the paretic leg's subtalar joint in order to increase ankle dorsiflexion. The CG received general physical therapy training. Both groups received training five times a week over a period of two consecutive weeks. The figures for PROM of ankle dorsiflexion on the paretic leg, the functional reach test (FRT), the timed up and go (TUG) test, and gait velocity were recorded both before and after the training sessions for both groups. The EG's results in gait velocity, the FRT and the TUG test improved after training (p<.05). The PROM of ankle dorsiflexion improved both in the EG and the CG (p<.05), the EG demonstrated a significantly higher increase (p<.05) than that of the CG. The results of this study suggest that increased joint mobilization positively affects balance and gait velocity of hemiplegic patients. Further studies with a greater sample size are necessary in order further prove the accuracy of the results of this study.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.219-225
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• 2018

Objective: Epidemiological research shows that 47 to 73% of athletes suffer from recurrent ankle sprains. Joint mobilization techniques (JMT) implemented in correcting may be beneficial in the management of ankle injuries. The purpose of this study is to examine the immediate JM on ankle complex as clinical measures in individuals with chronic ankle instability (CAI) through intervention. Method: Thirteen subjects with CAI (8 males and 5 females) participated in this study. Each subject tried total four alignments (Navicular drop test: NDT, Standing rearfoot angle: SRA, Tibia torsion: TT, and dorsiflexion range of motion: DFROM). The participants were performed the 10 meter shuttle run after JMT for post-task. Finally, it was tried to compare between pre-post tasks after shuttle run. Results: SRA and DFROM after intervention showed significant differences. SRA (p=.026), and DFROM (p=.034). Conclusion: We concluded that the JMT has resulted in improvement in SRA, DFROM. Increased DFROM and varus shapes of foot would be closed kinetic chain, indicating that reduce the risk factors of ankle sprain. Future study needs to be conducted in order to measure the effects of prolonged intervention of JMT.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.55-62
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• 2014

For professional drivers, there is a possibility to have musculoskeletal disorders on ankle joint due to repetitive pedaling operation. Therefore, this study have focused to examine ankle active range of motion (AROM), dorsiflexor strength, and pressure pain threshold (PPT) of tibialis anterior muscle (TA) in taxi drivers compared to a age-matched control group. Thirty male taxi drivers with at least 10 years of driving experience and thirty male sedentary workers were evaluated for ankle AROM, dorsiflexor strength, and PPT of TA. Multiple independent t-tests were used to identify significant differences between two groups. For the results, taxi drivers had significantly less AROM in dorsiflexion and greater AROM in external tibial rotation compared to the control group. Also, dorsiflexor strength and PPT of TA in taxi drivers was significantly lower than in the control group. This study indicates that the repetitive ankle movements associated with driving have an effect on ankle AROM, dorsiflexor strength, and PPT of TA and may lead to work-related musculoskeletal disorders on ankle. Professional drivers may need to be educated to prevent a potential musculoskeletal disorders associated with repetitive movement.