• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.9-15
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• 2022

Syndesmotic injuries are found frequently in clinical practice, and they remain controversial because of the variety of diagnostic techniques and management options. Bony avulsions or malleolar fractures are commonly associated with syndesmotic disruptions. Even unstable isolated syndesmosis injuries are associated with a latent or frank tibiofibular diastasis and should not be ignored in the early phase. A relevant instability of the syndesmosis with diastasis results from collateral ligaments tears and requires operative stabilization. The treatment involves an anatomic reduction of the distal tibiofibular articulations followed by stable fixation. Syndesmotic transfixation screws or suture button implants are being proposed as a means of fixation. Recently, suture button fixation has shown more favorable outcomes, but the outcomes can still be controversial. Syndesmotic malreduction can lead to hardware failure, adhesions, heterotopic ossification, tibiofibular synostosis, chronic instability, and posttraumatic arthritis. In particular, the correct diagnosis and evidence-based treatment options for unstable syndesmotic injury should be considered.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.70-74
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• 2017

Fractures and fracture-dislocations of the ankle are caused by a variety of mechanisms. In addition to fractures, injuries of soft tissue, such as ligaments, tendons, nerves, and muscles may also occur. Among these, a tibialis posterior tendon injury is difficult to be identified due to swelling and pain at the fracture site. It is difficult to observe tibialis posterior tendon injury on a simple radiograph; it is usually found during surgery by accident. There are some studies regarding irreducible ankle fracture-dislocations due to interposition of the tibialis posterior tendon; however, to the best of our knowledge, there has not been any report about interposition of injured tibialis posterior tendon. Herein, we report a case of an irreducible fracture-dislocation of the ankle due to injured tibialis posterior tendon interposition that was observed intraoperatively, interrupting the reduction of ankle fracture-dislocation. We obtained satisfactory clinical result after reduction of the trapped tendon, fracture reduction, and internal fixation; therefore, we are willing to report this case with the consent of the patient. This study was conducted with an approval from the local Institutional Ethics Review Board.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.123-129
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• 2010

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of the arthroscopic exploration combined with modified Brostrom operation (MBO) for the treatment of chronic lateral ankle instability (CAI). Materials and Methods: Sixty patients who diagnosed a CAI were performed MBO. We divided to 2 groups, whether simultaneously inspected by arthroscopy (group B) or not (group A). The both group's results were compared according to American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society Ankle-hindfoot score (AOFAS), functional ankle score and visual analog scale (VAS) at preoperative and final follow-up period. Results: There were no significant differences of AOFAS, functional ankle score and VAS between both groups at final follow-up. However, in group A, 2 cases associated with medial ankle instability and syndesmotic injuries were did not diagnosed preoperatively, showed poor prognosis. In group B, one case had a permanent peroneal nerve symptom. The match rate of intra-articular lesions between preoperative diagnosis and postoperative arthroscopic diagnosis was 30% in group B. Conclusion: Combination of arthroscopic exploration and MBO is effective strategy for intra-operatively discrimination of intra-articular associated lesions for CAI.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.10-15
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• 2021

Objective: Limited ankle dorsiflexion is related to ankle injuries. There are various exercises to increase the flexibility of the gastrocnemius for improving the passive range of motion in ankle dorsiflexion. However, to performances in daily activities and athletic sports and higher efficiency of walking and running, both ankle dorsiflexion passive and active range of motion are needed. To investigate the effects of combined gastrocnemius stretching and tibialis anterior resistance exercise on ankle kinematics (passive and active range of motion of ankle dorsiflexion) and tibialis anterior muscle activity in subjects with limited ankle dorsiflexion. Design: Cross-sectional single-group repeated measures design. Methods: Fourteen subjects with limited ankle dorsiflexion were recruited (in the right ankle in 7 and the left ankle in 7). All subjects performed gastrocnemius stretching alone and tibialis anterior resistance exercise after gastrocnemius stretching. The passive and active range of motion of ankle dorsiflexion were measured after interventions immediately. The tibialis anterior activity was measured during active range of motion of ankle dorsiflexion measurement. Results: There was no significant difference of ankle dorsiflexion passive range of motion between gastrocnemius stretching alone and the tibialis anterior resistance exercise after gastrocnemius stretching. The tibialis anterior resistance exercise after gastrocnemius stretching significantly increased active range of motion of ankle dorsiflexion compared to gastrocnemius stretching alone (p<0.05). The tibialis anterior resistance exercise after gastrocnemius stretching significantly increased tibialis anterior activity better than did gastrocnemius stretching alone. Conclusions: Thus, subjects with limited ankle dorsiflexion should be encouraged to perform tibialis anterior resistance exercises.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.129-133
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• 2019

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate effect of ankle instability on peripheral muscle activation among female ballet dancers to provide information on the development of prevention programs for ankle injury rehabilitation. Methods: 32 female ballet dancers were randomly divided into two groups: experience ankle sprain group (n=16, age, $20.7{\pm}0.8years$, BMI $18.6{\pm}1.2kg/m2$) and non-experience ankle sprain group (n=16, $age=21.0{\pm}0.8years$, BMI $19.6{\pm}2.0kg/m2$). Activation of the peroneus longus, tibialis anterior muscle, and gastrocnemius during vertical landing, half pointe, and gait between the two groups were measured. Body composition analyzer was used to examine skeletal muscle mass and body fat mass. Results: A total of 32 patients were included. In the experience ankle sprain group (n=16: left sprain 14, right sprain 2), average ankle sprain injury occurred 7.5 months before the study. The average age of the dancers in the experience ankle sprain group and non-experience ankle sprain group was $20.7{\pm}0.8$ and $21.0{\pm}0.8years$, major period was $64.5{\pm}23.8$ and $71.6{\pm}25.8months$, BMI was $18.6{\pm}1.2$ and $19.5{\pm}2.0kg/m2$, respectively. No significant differences were found on body composition between the two groups (p>0.05). The experience ankle sprain group showed significantly lower tibialis anterior and peroneus longus muscle activation (p<0.5), while gastrocnemius muscle activation appeared to be significantly higher (p<0.05) during landing, half pointe, and normal gait. Conclusion: Ankle sprain can cause a decline in peripheral muscle activation and coordination, which increased the risk for repetitive ankle sprain in the future. Moreover, ankle peripheral muscle selective strength training, coordination program development, and application need to be considered to prevent ankle sprain.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.23-30
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• 2024

Purpose: Ankle instability is a common issue in both daily activities and sports, often leading to recurrent injuries. Elastic taping is a non-pharmacological intervention used to improve ankle stability. This study aimed to investigate the immediate effects of elastic taping on ankle stability, center of pressure (COP) movement, and foot pressure distribution. Methods: A single-group pre-posttest design was employed, with 30 participants included in the study. Plantar pressure and COP parameters were measured before and after the application of elastic taping. Taping was administered in three distinct patterns to enhance ankle stability. Results: Immediate effects of elastic taping were evident in COP parameters. Following taping application, there was a significant decrease in COP total displacement, COP area, and COP velocity. However, no significant changes were observed in plantar pressure parameters. Conclusion: The application of elastic taping in this study demonstrated immediate effects on ankle stability and COP parameters, indicating its potential as a viable intervention for improving balance. Further research with larger sample sizes and long-term follow-up is needed to elucidate the sustained effects of elastic taping on ankle stability.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.69-77
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• 2022

Background: Ankle sprains, and the resulting ankle instability worsen to chronic due to recurrent ankle injuries or sprains, 78% of which are accompanied by posture instability and damage due to changes in the position of the talus of the ankle. The purpose of this study is to investigate the immediate effect of applying MWM taping on the patient's muscle strength and balance ability in patients with chronic ankle instability. Methods: 15 people with MWM taping and 15 people with Kinesio taping were applied, and after applying the taping of the ankle, 10 minutes of walking treadmill and 10 times of forward lunge operation, the change in ankle muscle strength and balance ability was confirmed. The strength test of the ankle was performed using a test device called Biodex system 4 (USA) for the movement of the dorsi-flexion and plantar flexion of the foot, and the balance of the two groups was measured using Biodex balance system (USA) to test balance ability. Results: The comparison of muscle strength changes in the ankle does not show a significant increase in the group applying MWM compared to the group applying kinesio taping (p<.05). In the comparison of equilibrium capabilities, the MWM taping group also showed a significant increase in the MWM taping group compared to the kinesio taping group (p<.05). Conclusion: When applying MWM taping and kinesio taping to patients with chronic ankle instability, there was no significant difference in comparison of muscle strength changes, but there was a significant difference in comparison of balance ability.

• 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 Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.170-174
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• 2011

Acupuncture has been widely used to treat a variety of disease and symptoms. But various complications have been reported. Among them, peripheral nerve injuries have been reported less frequently than other complications. The purpose of this report is to describe what we believe to be the first case of delayed superficial and deep peroneal nerve compressive neuropathy caused by fibrotic mass formed by neglected broken acupuncture needle.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.130-137
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• 2007

Purpose: Ultrasound is of proven accuracy in abdominal and thoracic trauma and may be useful for diagnosing extremity injury in situations where radiography is not available, such as disasters and military and space applications. However, the diagnosis of fractures is suggested by history and physical examination and is typically confirmed with radiography. As a alternative to radiography, we prospectively evaluated the utility of extremity ultrasound performed by trained residents of emergency medicine (EM) one patient with wrist and ankle extremity injuries. Methods: Initially, residents of EM performed physical examinations for fractures. The emergency ultrasound (EM US) was performed by trained residents, who used a portable ultrasound device with a 10- to 5-MHz linear transducer, on suspected patients before radiography examination. The results of emergency ultrasound and radiography and the final diagnosis were recorded, and correlation among them were determined by using Kappa s test Results: Thirty-nine patients were enrolled in our study. The average age was $36.6\;{\pm}\;19.3$ years. There were radius Fx. (n=21), radius-ulna Fx. (n=1), ulna Fx. (n=1), and contusion (n=2) injuries among the wrist injury and lat.-med. malleolar Fx. (n=13), lat. malleolar Fx. (n=6), and med. malleolar Fx. (n=3) injuries among the ankle injury. Comparing EM US with radiography, we found the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of EM US for Fx. diagnosis to be 100%, 66.7%, 97.3%, 100% and those of radiography to be 97.2%, 100%, 100%, and 75%, respectively. Kappa s test for a correlation between the Fx. diagnosis of EM US and the final diagnosis of Fx was performed, and Kappa's value was 0.787 (P = 0.004).Conclusion: EM US for Fx. can be performed quickly and accurately by EM residents with excellent accuracy in remote locations such as disaster areas and in military and aerospace applications. EM US was as useful as radiography in our study and had a high correlation to the final diagnosis of Fx. Therefore, ultrasound should performed on patients with extremity injury to determine whether extremity evaluation should be added to the FAST (focused abdominal sonography trauma) examination.