• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.38-45
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• 2021

Subtalar joint instability (STI) is one of the causes of persistent hindfoot pain even after treatment for ankle instability. Diagnosis of STI is often neglected because it is a poorly understood concept. However, understanding of the anatomy and injury mechanism of the subtalar joint is a prerequisite of appropriate treatment. Patients with STI usually complain of several symptoms, such as recurrent sprains or a giving way sensation and rolling over. Recently, various diagnostic tools and treatment methods have been investigated. This study was undertaken with the aim of helping clinicians by providing a comprehensive understanding of STI.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.12-17
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• 2022

Purpose: Ankle dorsiflexion is an essential element of normal functions, including walking, activities of daily living and sport activities. The tibialis anterior (TA) muscle functioned as a dorsiflexor and as a dynamic stabilizer of the ankle joint during walking and jumping. This study aimed to compare TA muscle thickness using ultrasonography according to the four different toe and ankle postures for the selective TA strengthening exercise. Methods: This study were recruited 26 (males: 15, females: 11) aged 20-30 years, with no injury ankle and calf in the medical history, had normal dorsiflexion and inversion range of motion (ROM). The thickness of the TA muscle was measured by ultrasonography in the four different toe and ankle postures: 1. Ankle dorsiflexion with all toe extension and ankle inversion (ITEDF); 2. Ankle dorsiflexion with all toe flexion and ankle inversion (ITFDF); 3. Ankle dorsiflexion with all toe extension and neutral position (NTEDF); 4. Ankle dorsiflexion with all toe flexion and neutral position (NTFDF). One-way repeated analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Bonferroni correction were used to confirm the significant difference among conditions. The level of statistical significance was set at α=0.01. Results: TA muscle thickness with ITFDF was significantly greater than in any other ankle positions, including ITEDF, NTFDF, and NTEDF (p<0.01). Conclusion: Among the four toe and ankle postures, isometric contraction in ITFDF postures showed the greatest increase in thickness of TA rather than ITEDF, NTEDF, and NTFDF postures. Based on these results, ITFDF can be recommended in an efficient way to selectively strengthen TA muscle.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.261-264
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• 2002

Purpose: To investigate the clinical features of fistulas of the ankle joints. Materials and Methods: Seven fistulas in seven patients were reviewed during Apr. 2000 to Mar. 2002, retrospectively. There are five men and two wemen. Average age was 47.7 years (range, 42-65 years). Average follow-up period was 1.4 years. There were six cystic lesions after ankle sprain and one patient with persistent discharge after excision of bursa over lateral malleolus. Results: Duration from injury to presentation was average 9.8 years. The site of preoperative swelling was mostly over the lateral malleolus in five patients. In one patient, the area of swelling was extended to the anterolateral ankle joint and in another patient there was extensive swelling from Achilles tendon to the anterolateral ankle joint. Concomitant symptoms were instability in three patients, pain and instability in three patients. Methods of surgery were simple repair in one, modified Brostrom in three, augmentation with periosteal flap in addition to modified Brostrom in two and Chrisman-Snook in addition to augmentation with periosteal flap and modified Brostrom in one. There were no recurrence of instability as well as fistula. Conclusion: We think that the fistula of the ankle joint should be included in the differential diagnosis of the cystic lesion over the lateral malleolus and the result of surgical treatment would be satisfactory in most cases.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.62-72
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• 2023

Objective: Although balance training has been used as an effective ankle injury rehabilitation program to restore neuromuscular deficits in patients with chronic ankle instability, it is not effectively used in terms of motor learning. Attentional focusing can be an effective method for improving ankle kinematics to prevent recurrent ankle injuries. This study aimed to 1) evaluate the effects of attentional focus, including internal and external focus, and 2) determine a more effective focusing method for patients with chronic ankle instability to learn balance tasks. Method: Twenty-four patients with chronic ankle instability were randomly assigned to three groups (external focus, internal focus, and no feedback) and underwent four weeks of progressive balance training. The three-dimensional ankle kinematics of each patient were measured before and after training as the main outcomes. Ensemble curve analysis, discrete point analysis, and post hoc pairwise comparisons were performed to identify interactions between groups and time. Results: The results showed that (1) the external focus group was more dorsiflexed and everted than the internal focus group; (2) the external focus group was more dorsiflexed than the no feedback group; and (3) the no feedback group was more dorsiflexed than the internal focus group. Conclusion: Because dorsiflexion and eversion are ankle motions that oppose the mechanism of lateral ankle sprain, using the external focus method during balance training may be more effective in modifying these motions, thereby reducing the risk of ankle sprain.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.124-131
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• 2010

Purpose: This study was intended to examine an effect of taping therapy for adults suffering from ankle pain. Method: A non-equivalent control group pretest-posttest design was used for the study. An experimental group had 32 subjects and a control group 23 subjects. Subjects from the experimental group were taped for 24 hours and thereafter their range of motion [ROM], pain, and discomfort in the injured ankle were evaluated. SPSS Windows was used for data analysis. Result: The degree of ROM of the taped experimental subjects was greater compared to that of non-taped control subjects. The score of ankle pain of the taped subjects was lower than that of non-taped subjects. The score of ankle discomfort of the taped subjects was lower than that of non-taped subjects. Conclusion: This taping therapy can be used independently by nurses as an effective nursing intervention to decrease ankle pain and discomfort after the injury of ankle, which would contribute to expanding a realm of nursing.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.167-172
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• 2005

Purpose: We report our results of arthroscopic treatment of symptomatic avulsion fracture of the malleolus in chronic ankle pain, and also analyzed the clinical and radiological features for evaluating the good candidate for arthroscopic treatment. Materials and Methods: Fourteen patients who were diagnosed with intra-articular avulsion fractures of the malleolus received arthroscopic surgery and were followed up for at least a year. The clinical and radiological characters including MRI and arthroscopic findings were reviewed. Clinical assessments were done according to the AOFAS score system. Results: There was a history of inversion type of the injury in most cases and local tenderness of lesion site was a unique. MRI study showed thickened anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) in 8 cases (57%) and discontinued ATFL in 3 cases (21%). Enhanced signal surrounding soft tissue corresponding to synovial inflammation and impingement was found in 12 cases (86%). Preoperative score of all patients were $74.0{\pm}5.5$, which improved to $89.3{\pm}6.7$ at the follow-up after the treatment (P<0.001). Conclusion: Most patients had history of injury and localized tenderness in the area coinciding with radiological findings. Thickened ATFL and contrast enhancement around the ossicle were frequently found. Symptomatic avulsion fractures of the malleolus associated with the clinical and radiological findings above could be a good candidate for arthroscopic treatment.

• Journal of Korean Orthopaedic Sports Medicine
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.13-18
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• 2007

Lateral ankle instability is one of common injury in sports medicine. Already many studies were done with scientific data and clinical relationship. This review article wants to discuss about controversial subject of ankle instability. It will be conducted more precise diagnosis and treatment.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.1608-1613
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• 2018

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of sling exercise on muscle activity and balance on football players with chronic ankle instability. Eight subjects performed Biodex and sling exercises for four weeks and compared the muscle activity and balance ability of the uninjured and injured feet. Stable and unstable foot % MVIC did not change significantly after treatment in all muscles. The total balance ability was not significantly different between the two groups, however, increased only in the unstable side. The anterior/posterior balance ability also represented no significant difference between the groups and was significantly improved only in the unstable side. The medial/lateral balance ability was not significantly different between the groups and was significantly improved only in the unstable side. This study suggests that sling exercise contributes to improving % MVIC, total balance ability, anterior/posterior balance ability, and medial/lateral balance ability of the unstable side.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.165-169
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• 2017

Secondary soft tissue injuries can occur from the pressure of the displaced fragment of posterior calcaneal tuberosity in calcaneal tongue-type fractures and calcaneal tuberosity avulsion fractures. The soft tissue injury can be prevented by immediate reduction of the displaced fragments. Various techniques can be used to fix the fracture fragments, but the stability of fixation and minimal invasiveness to soft tissue should be considered. This paper reports the successful outcomes of patients with soft tissue compromises in calcaneal tongue-type fractures and calcaneal tuberosity avulsion fractures. The fixation technique of a large cannulated screw and simple cerclage wiring is believed to be a useful surgical option for the treatment of secondary soft tissue compromised calcaneal fractures.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.182-186
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• 2020

We report our experience of treating two patients with ankle amputation with different presentations. The first case was a clean-cut sharp amputation. The second case was an avulsion injury following a motor vehicle accident in a patient who arrived 8 hours after the injury. Replantation was successful in both cases. In avulsion injuries, a secondary operation for wound coverage is required at a later stage. With good strategy and a support team, encouraging limb survival outcomes are possible post-replantation.