• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.165-175
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• 2008

An ankle-foot orthosis(AFO) is a brace for persons with gait disabilities to support or replace the function of ankle joint. Ankle-foot orthoses(AFO's) are usually prescribed to alleviate the drop-foot by constraining the excessive plantar flexion. The shape and the strength of the AFO are often based on 'trial and error' due to a lack of knowledge of the stress distribution in the AFO. In this study, an improved stress-freezing method was proposed to measure the stress distribution characteristics in the AFO. As a result, a photoelastic material with low freezing temperature was developed to measure the stresses under a person's direct contact loading condition. The three-dimensional stress-1rozen photoelastic models of AFO's for five stages of stance phase such as heel contact, foot flat, mid stance, heel off, and toe off were produced. The results of photoelastic analysis revealed that the stresses developed in the AFO were varied considerably from tensile to compressive or vice versa, during walking. At the posterior part of ankle joint in the AFO, the maximum compressive stress of 1.81MPa was observed in the mid stance, and the maximum tensile stress of 0.74MPa was observed during heel contact. The overall stress levels in the AFO's were low in the toe off phase. The results suggested that the posterior part of ankle joint might be the most fragile part in the AFO.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.165-169
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• 2001

Cavovarus deformities of both feet in 28 years old female patient with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease were treated by one-staged pantalar arthrodesis. Excellent results were achieved at 6 years after surgery. She could walk without brace or stick and she was satisfied with the result of one-staged pantalar arthrodesis. One-stage pantalar arthrodesis is an effective method of treatment for cavovarus deformity of foot in Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.693-699
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• 2001

The use of AFO in the management of patients with hemiplegia has been somewhat controversial. The purpose of the study was to identify the influence of the plastic ankle foot orthoses(AFO) on the characteristics of pelvic tilt in the patients with hemiplegia. Sixteen hemiplegic patients participated. The angle of pelvic tilt were measured using the BROM II . Results showed that the hemiplegia who weared plastic AFO, the angle of pelvic tilt was significantly less than not weared subjects. However. duration of wearing a plastic AFO and the degree of spasticity were not affected to the angle of pelvic tilt. Therefore the patients with hemiplegia should consider using the brace for the right purpose, also need to maintain the mobility of ankle joint while wearing the plastic AFO.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.212-215
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• 2019

Symptomatic neuromas after amputation can be troublesome to treat and make it difficult to properly fit a brace. Surgical management is required when conservative management such as prosthetic socket modification or local injections fail. However, small cutaneous nerves adhere to adjacent soft tissue and they are difficult to locate. The authors suggest that ultrasonography guided tattoo localization using a charcoal suspension is useful to find a visually indistinguishable neuroma.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.21-27
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• 2002

Pressure sores are an ulceration and necrosis of the skin and underlying tissue usually occur after prolonged or repeated pressure by interruption of blood flow from the small. vessels to the skin and deep tissue. The management of pressure sores is mostly difficult and requires prolonged hospitalization or repeated surgical interventions with a high recurrence rate. In this article we reviewed 14 cases of National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Pannel staging III, IV over the lateral malleolar area of the ankle in 2 years period from January 1999 to October 2001. The pressure over lateral malleolar area was mainly due to unique Korean sitting position with cross legs at flexed hips and knees or supine position of patient with external rotation of low extremity. Male to female ratio was 11: 3 and ages were between 36 and 83 (mean age: 67.1 years). Associated diseases were DM(7 cases), Hemiparesis caused by CVA(2 cases), Liver cirrhosis(2 cases), disarticulation of opposite hip due to squamous cell ca.(1 case), Intertrochanteric Fx.(1 case). Wound cultures reported Staphylococus, Pseudomonas and others. Abnormally elevated ESR and CRP were seen in 6 cases. Operative treatments were irrigation and debridement, direct closure with gravity drainage and skin grafting. The most important aspect of pressure sore treatment is pressure relief of the lateral malleolar area. Pressure-relieving Cast or Brace was helpful for local management and preventing recurrence.

• Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.150-156
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• 2021

Purpose: To determine how the location, displacement, intra-articular involvement, comminution of a 5th metatarsal base fracture affect results of early weight-bearing treatment. Materials and Methods: From January 2013 to July 2017, 34 cases of 34 patients diagnosed with a fracture of the zone I and II 5th metatarsal base were enrolled. The mean follow-up period was 13 months (6-15 months). One patient was excluded as a refracture during the follow-up period, and 33 patients underwent conservative treatment. Anteroposterior, lateral, and simple oblique radiography and computed tomography of the foot were performed to evaluate the location and displacement of the fracture, the degree of joint involvement, and comminution. In all 33 patients, a short leg cast or boot brace was selected immediately after the injury, tolerable weight bearing was allowed. If the pain disappeared, full weight bearing was performed after wearing a plain shoe or postoperative shoe. As a clinical result, the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score was evaluated at the final follow-up. During outpatient follow-up, a simple radiograph of the foot was taken to confirm the time of radiological bone union and return to work. Results: Nine males and 24 females, with an average age of 48.7 years, were enrolled in the study. Twenty-four patients had zone I fractures, and nine patients had zone II fractures. Twenty-two out of 33 patients had a fracture displacement of 2 mm or more. Nine and five patients had joint involvement and comminution, respectively. There was a statistically significant return to work from zone I to zone II. The AOFAS score was excellent at the final follow-up and there was no significant difference. When classifying and comparing the degree of fracture displacement, joint involvement, and comminution, there were no significant differences in the radiological union time and return to work. In all cases, satisfactory results were obtained at the final follow-up. Conclusion: Satisfactory clinical results can be obtained by allowing early weight-bearing regardless of the fracture location, displacement, joint involvement, or comminution in zone I and II 5th metatarsal base fractures.