Pedobarographic Analysis Following Pemberton's Pericapsular Osteotomy for Unilateral Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip: An Observational Study

Characteristics of surface electromyogram signals after Pemberton pelvic osteotomy combined with femoral osteotomy in children with unilateral developmental dysplasia of the hip

This study aimed to assess the surface electromyogram (sEMG) signal characteristics of the muscle around the hip joint after Pemberton osteotomy in children with unilateral developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). A total of 21 children with unilateral DDH who had received Pemberton osteotomy were selected as the DDH group, and 21 healthy children of the same age were selected as the control group. The children in both groups were tested using sEMG, the Root mean square (RMS) values of the tensor fascia lata, rectus femurs, and medial head of the hamstring and gluteus maximum on both sides in standing and walking status were recorded. The value on the affected side in the DDH group was compared with the value on the healthy side himself and the value in the control group. The mean postoperative follow-up in the DDH group was 27.76 ± 24.30 months. The RMS value of the affected gluteus maximum muscle in the DDH group was significantly larger while standing (P < 0.05), the RMS value of bilateral tensor fascia lata muscle was significantly larger while walking (P < 0.05), and the RMS value of the affected hamstring muscle medial head was significantly less in the DDH group compared with the control group (P < 0.05). An asymmetry and compensatory increase in the sEMG activity of the muscles around the hip joint when standing and walking was noted in children with unilateral DDH who underwent Pemberton osteotomy combined with a femoral osteotomy. The rehabilitation training of the muscles around the hip joint after unilateral DDH should be strengthened.

Clinical, radiographic and pedobarographic analysis of skeletally immature patients with surgically treated distal metaphyseal fractures of the tibia: is concomitant fixation of the fibula necessary?

This study evaluated the outcomes of distal tibia metaphyseal fractures (DTMFs) managed surgically and compared the outcomes of patients with and without associated fibula fracture fixation. Thirty-two consecutive patients (14 males; mean age at the time of injury: 7.8 years) with closed displaced DTMFs, with (22 patients; group A) or without associated fibula fractures fixation (10 patients; group B), were included. Besides standard radiographic measurements, the following static and dynamic pedobarographic parameters were evaluated: foot total static plantar pressure percentage (PP%), static plantar pressure percentage of the forefoot (PP%) and of the rear foot (PP%), landing sequence of the metatarsals during contact with the ground (MT), and impulse percentage of the metatarsal heads (MT%) and the medial and lateral heel (MH% and LH%). All patients were followed for at least 2 years (range: 2-4.5 years). Functional outcomes were excellent to good in all but two patients (93.8%) at the last follow-up visit using the Johner-Wruths criteria'. Radiographic measurements, PP%, PP%, PP%, MT%, MH% and LH% were not significantly different between two groups as well as between injured and uninjured side of patients within the same group (P > 0.05). Abnormal MT sequence was found in 40.9% of group A (9/22) and in 40% of group B patients (4/10) (P > 0.05). Stabilization of associated fibula fractures did not significantly impact the clinical, radiographic and pedobarographic outcomes of the children with displaced DTMFs who were surgically treated. Level of evidence: Level III.

Comparative Study of the Effects of Customized 3D printed insole and Prefabricated Insole on Plantar Pressure and Comfort in Patients with Symptomatic Flatfoot

BACKGROUND There are many shortcomings in traditional prefabricated rehabilitation insoles for symptomatic flatfoot patients. This study investigated the effects of customized 3-dimensional (3D) printed insoles on pressure and comfort of the plantar foot in symptomatic flatfoot patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS Eighty patients with bilateral flatfoot participated in this study. At week 0, patients were randomly assigned into 1 of 2 groups. In the control group, the patients wore standardize shoes with prefabricated insoles; and in the experimental group the patients wore standardize shoes and customized insoles. The Footscan® system recorded peak pressure, peak force, and peak contact area in 10 areas of the sole at weeks 0 and at week 8. Patients used visual analogue scale scores at week 0 and at week 8 to assess overall comfort of insoles. RESULTS At week 0, compared with the control group, the peak pressure in the metatarsal was significantly lower in the experimental group (P<0.05) while the peak pressure in the mid-foot was significantly higher than the control group (P<0.05). At week 8, in the experimental group, the peak pressures in the mid-foot were significantly higher than the control group (P<0.05). The comfort scores (measured by pain scale) reported by the experimental group were significantly lower than those reported by the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Customized 3D printed insoles reduced the pressure on the metatarsals by distributed it over the mid-foot area, thus reduced the damage from symptomatic flatfoot. Customized 3D printed insoles were more effective than prefabricated insoles and offered better comfort for patients with symptomatic flatfoot.

Effect of 3D Printing Individualized Ankle-Foot Orthosis on Plantar Biomechanics and Pain in Patients with Plantar Fasciitis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND Traditional ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) are not effective in treating plantar fasciitis, while customized 3-dimensional (3D) printed ankle-foot orthoses are effective in treating many ankle-foot diseases. This study investigated the effects of customized 3D printed AFOs on biomechanics and comfort of the plantar foot in plantar fasciitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS Sixty patients with bilateral plantar fasciitis aged 31-60 years participated in this study. At week 0, patients were randomly assigned into 2 groups: the control group consisting of those wearing separate shoes with prefabricated AFOs; and the experimental group consisting of those wearing a separate shoe and customized 3D-printed AFO. The Footscan® system recorded maximum pressure, maximum strength, and contact area of patients' hallux, toes 2-5, first to fifth metatarsal, midfoot, lateral heel, and midfoot heel at weeks 0 and 8. Patients used visual analogue scale scores at weeks 0 and 8 to assess overall comfort of foot orthosis, to determine the credibility and comfort of both orthopedic insole conditions. RESULTS At week 0, in the experimental group, peak pressure in the hallux and first metatarsal area was significantly higher than the control group (P<0.05), while mid-heel and lateral heel peak pressures were significantly lower than the control group (P<0.05). After 8 weeks, all groups reported more comfort compared with the same group in week 0 (P<0.05). The comfort scores reported by the experimental group were significantly lower than those of the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS This study supports the efficiency of customized 3D printing AFO for reducing damage associated with plantar lesions and improving comfort in patients with plantar fasciitis compared with prefabricated AFO. Customized AFO is useful in the treatment of plantar fasciitis compared with prefabricated AFOs.

Pedobarographic Analysis following Ponseti Treatment for Unilateral Neglected Congenital Clubfoot

Recent trends have led to an interest in Ponseti treatment for correcting neglected congenital clubfoot. Although good clinical and functional outcomes have been reported, the plantar pressure distribution after the treatment of neglected clubfoot has not been explored yet. The present study aimed to investigate whether plantar pressures normalized following Ponseti treatment in patients with neglected congenital clubfoot. Pedobarographic, clinical, and functional examinations were performed in 22 children (aged, 91.0 ± 40.3 months) with unilateral neglected congenital clubfeet, treated using Ponseti method at 27.8 ± 12.1 months of age. Plantar pressure parameters were recorded using a Footscan pressure plate. The contact time, contact area, peak pressure, and pressure-time integral were determined. The data of the affected feet were compared with those of the unaffected feet and healthy controls. Although clinical and functional examinations showed satisfactory results according to the Dimeglio and Pirani scores, considerable differences in plantar pressure parameters were identified among the affected feet, unaffected feet, and healthy controls. Internal foot progression angle and a load transfer from the medial forefoot and hindfoot to the lateral forefoot and midfoot were observed in the affected feet. Future studies should attempt to investigate the factors accounting for plantar pressure deviations and the possible effect of these deviations on the lower limb musculoskeletal development of children.

The effect and biomechanical mechanisms of intradermal needle for post-stroke hemiplegia recovery: Study protocol for a randomized controlled pilot trial

The incidence of stroke has increased significantly in recent years. Post-stroke hemiplegia is a common stroke complication with long-term negative consequences. Several studies have suggested that acupuncture could be an effective intervention for the rehabilitation of post-stroke hemiplegia. Intradermal needling is a kind of acupuncture which is widely used in clinical settings. This study attempts to investigate the biomechanical effects of intradermal needle for post-stroke hemiplegia recovery.This proposed study is a single-centered, prospective, single-blinded (patient-assessor-blinded), randomized clinical pilot trial involving 40 patients with post-stroke hemiplegia. Patients will be randomized to an experimental group or control group in a 1:1 ratio. All of them will receive conventional rehabilitation therapies. Patients in the experimental group will be treated with intradermal needle, whereas patients in the control group will receive sham intradermal needle. The primary outcome measures will be biomechanically validated from the parameters of RSSCAN gait system: plantar pressure distribution, step length, and stride. The scores of clinical scales such as National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, Fugl-Meyer Assessment, Berg Balance Scale, Barthel Index, and Stroke-specific Quality of Life Scale will be assessed as secondary outcome measures. All assessments will be conducted at baseline, 4 weeks after intervention and at the end of 3 months' follow-up.The purpose of this study is to explore the potential effect and biomechanical mechanisms of intradermal needle for post-stroke hemiplegia recovery, as well as to provide a basis for future larger clinical studies.

Reliability of the Footscan® Platform System in Healthy Subjects: A Comparison of without Top-Layer and with Top-Layer Protocols

The Footscan platform is a useful tool for plantar pressure measurement. However, there is still controversy over whether or not the platform should be covered by top-layer during the test. This study was designed to compare the reliability of the Footscan platform and identify the differences of the foot loading parameters between without top-layer (WOT) and with top-layer (WT) protocols. Measurements were taken from thirty-two healthy subjects. Participants were tested with a Footscan platform using the WOT and WT protocols. Three trials were performed during two separate testing sessions with a 7-day interval. Peak pressure, contact time, contact area, and pressure-time integral at ten foot zones were recorded and calculated for intra- and intersession reliability using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and coefficients of variation (CVs). The reliability and values of the analyzed parameters for the two protocols were compared. Both protocols produced a moderate to good level of intra- and intersession reliability. Compared with the WT protocol, the WOT protocol showed higher ICCs, lower CVs, and higher values in most of the parameters analyzed. The results suggest that the WOT protocol showed better reliability than the WT protocol. We recommend not using the top-layer when performing the plantar pressure test.

Normal foot loading parameters and repeatability of the Footscan® platform system

Background

The Footscan® platform system is one of the most commonly used clinical tools for the measurement of the foot pressure. The present study was designed to assess the repeatability of the system and identify the range of loading parameters observed in the normal foot.

Methods

Measurements were collected from 32 healthy participants, 15 females and 17 males, twice at an interval of 1 week. Peak pressure (PP), contact time (CT), contact area (CA), pressure-time integral (PTI), and maximum force (MaF) were recorded; these parameters were investigated in 10 areas of the foot: medial heel, lateral heel, midfoot, first to fifth metatarsals, hallux, and toes 2–5. The intra-session repeatability was evaluated by calculating the intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and coefficients of variation (CVs) across the three repeated trials within the same session. The inter-session repeatability was assessed using the average of the three trials in each session to determine the ICCs and CVs.

Results

The ICCs showed moderate to good repeatability for every variable of interest, and the CVs were all <28%. The highest zones of PP were found under the second and third metatarsals, followed by the medial heel. The CT was 68.5–82.8% of the total stance time under the metatarsal heads. CA was highest under the midfoot, PTI was highest under the second metatarsal, and MaF was highest under the medial heel.

Conclusions

Footscan® platform system was found to be repeatable. Thus, it can be used as a valuable tool in the assessment of plantar pressure distribution, and the normal values of the foot loading parameters identified in this study can be employed to provide a reference range for the gait analysis performed by the Footscan® system.