• 한국전문물리치료학회지
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• 제27권2호
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• pp.133-139
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• 2020

Background: The gastrocnemius (GCM) is one of the lower extremity muscles that tend to tighten easily. GCM tightness results in limited ankle dorsi-flexion (DF), especially when the knee joint is fully extended. Joint flexibility is determined by the morphological and physiological characteristics of joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Impaired joint flexibility can be attributed to increased susceptibility to muscle injury. High-frequency diathermy is clinically used to reduce pain and muscle tightness and to improve limited range of motion. Objects: This study aimed to investigate the immediate effects of high-frequency therapy in subjects with GCM tightness. Methods: The study was designed as a one-group before-after trial. The subjects included 28 volunteers with GCM tightness (an active ankle DF angle of less than 12°) without any known neurological and musculoskeletal pathologies in the ankle and calf areas. WINBACK Transfer Electrode Capacitive and Resistive Therapy equipment was used to apply high-frequency therapy to the subjects' GCMs for 10-15 minutes. The pennation angle and the fascicle length of the GCM were measured using ultrasonography. The flexibility of the ankle joint, peak torque to the passive ankle DF (Biodex), and soft tissue stiffness (MyotonPRO) were also measured. Results: The pennation angle was significantly decreased following the treatment; however, no significant difference in the fascicle length was found (p < 0.05). The flexibility was significantly increased and both the passive peak torque to passive ankle DF and the soft tissue stiffness significantly decreased (p < 0.05). Conclusion: High-frequency therapy is immediately effective for improving the muscle's architectural properties and functional factors in subjects with GCM tightness. Further longitudinal clinical studies are required to investigate the long-term effects of high-frequency therapy on subjects with GCM tightness from various causes.

• 한국정밀공학회지
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• 제27권6호
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• pp.82-89
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• 2010

Ankle-foot orthosis with an artificial pneumatic muscle which is intended for the assistance of plantarfelxion torque was developed. In this study, power pattern of the device in the various pneumatics and the effectiveness of the system were investigated. The pneumatic power was provided by ankle-foot orthosis controlled by user‘s physiological signal, that is, muscular stiffness in soleus muscle. This pneumatic power can assist plantarflexion torque of ankle joint. The subjects performed maximal voluntary isokinetic plantarflexion motion on a biodexdynamometer in different pneumatics, and they completed three conditions: 1) without wearing the orthosis, 2) wearing the orthosis with artificial muscles turned off, 3) wearing the orthosis activated under muscular stiffness control. Through these experiments, we confirmed the effectiveness of the orthosis and muscular stiffness control using the analyzing isokinetic plantarflexion torque. The experimental results showed that isokinetic torques of plantarflexion motion of the ankle joints gradually increased in incremental pneumatic. The effectiveness of the orthosis was -7.26% and the effectiveness of the muscular stiffness control was 17.83% in normalized isokinetic plantarflexion torque. Subjects generated the less isokinetic torques of the ankle joints in wearing the orthosis with artificial muscles turned off, but isokinetic torques were appropriately reinforced in condition of wearing the orthosis activated under muscular stiffness control(17.83%) compared to wearing the orthosis(-7.26%). Therefore, we respect that developed powered orthosis is applied in the elderly that has weak muscular power as the rehabilitation equipment.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• 제27권6호
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• pp.381-385
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• 2015

Purpose: This study was to identify the relationship between the game score and muscle strength in order to elucidate whether the obtained score for the dorsiflexor and plantar flexor muscles in the ankle joint using an EMG-based interactive game system can reflect muscle strength as measured conventionally. Methods: Forty adults were enrolled in the present study. They had no congenital deformities, and no neurological or orthopedic disorders in the 6 months prior to the start of the study. The Biodex were used to measure the isokinetic concentric maximal strength of the plantar flexor and dorsiflexor muscles in the ankle joint. EMG electrodes were attached to the tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius. Results: (1) There was a positive relationship between the obtained game score by the plantar flexor (sPF) and muscle strength of the plantar flexor (tPF) and dorsiflexor (tDF). In addition, the tPF affected the sPF, but the tDF did not. Thus, the higher the tPF, the higher the sPF. (2) There was no relationship between the obtained game score of dorsiflexor (sDF) and tPF or tDF. In addition, neither the tDF or tPF affected the sDF. Conclusion: The game score had a relationship with muscle strength, which is related to ankle instability and re-impairment. Thus we suggest that this game system can be used to predict the degree of weakness of muscle strength.

• 한국소음진동공학회논문집
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• 제21권10호
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• pp.934-939
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• 2011

This paper experimentally deals with the relationship between the ankle electromyogram(EMG) and walking motion in order to activate the ankle joint of a walking-assistance robot for rehabilitation. Based on the anatomical structure and motion pattern of an ankle joint, major muscles were selected for EMG measurements. Surface EMG signals were monitored for several human bodies at various stride distances and stride frequencies. Root-mean-squared magnitude of EMG signals were related with the walking conditions. It appeared that the magnitude of the ankle EMG signal was linearly proportional to the stride distance and stride frequency, and thus to the walking speed.

• 대한정형도수물리치료학회지
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• 제24권1호
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• pp.39-46
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• 2018

Background: In most human lives, 80 percent have problems with the ankle and can be solved with a treatment that is objective in proper assessment. Discrepacts in the ankle are also associated with walking patterns and affect hip and knee joints. An evaluation of hip flexion and extensor muscles was performed to check the strength of hip joints after ankle sprain patients application of arthesis. Methods: In the hospital in Bucheon, 20 outpatients who visited the hospital for treatment with ankle sprain were tested with 10 male and 10 female patients. The criteria for selection of the study subjects were randomly divided into those with joint movement techniques applied to the ankle joints and those with conservative physical therapy. Results: In applying arthrography and preservation physical therapy to patients with ankle sprain, a difference in muscle strength between hip flexion and extensor was noted in post-evaluation comparisons. There were significant differences in the assessment of walking speed and walking time between the two counties in the gait analysis assessment (p<.05). Conclusion: Studies have shown that applying arthrography to people with ankle sprain has a greater therapeutic effect than using conservative physical therapy.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• 제24권1호
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• pp.7-14
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• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of motor imagery on the onset time of the leg muscle and ankle injury score of patients with functional ankle instability. Methods: The study included 16 patients with ankle instability after their ankle sprains. Motor imagery was performed 3 times a week for 4 weeks. The onset time of leg muscles was measured by using the surface EMG in one leg standing position on tibialis anterior, peroneous longus and medial, lateral gastrocnemius. The pre- and post-intervention was measured by using the ankle injury score. Data was analyzed by a paired t-test. Results: The onset time was reduced but there was no significant difference (p>0.05). The order of muscle recruitment was changed. Anke injury score increased significantly after motor imagery (p<0.05). Conclusion: The results suggest that motor imagery was effective by showing delayed onset time of peroneal muscle in patients with functional ankle instability. In future studies, various conditions and disorders should all be considered for the effective analysis of motor imagery.

• 국제물리치료학회지
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• 제12권1호
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• pp.2272-2278
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• 2021

Background: Vibration stimulation has emerged as a treatment tool to help reduce spasticity during physical therapy. Spasticity includes problems of reduced range of motion (ROM) and stiffness. However, the benefits of vibration rolling (VR) on interventions for stroke patients are unclear. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effect of VR intervention on the ankle ROM and ankle stiffness in stroke patients. Design: A randomized crossover study. Methods: Seven stroke patients completed two test sessions (one VR and one non-VR [NVR]) in a randomized order, with 48 hours of rest between each session. Participants completed intervention and its measurements on the same day. The measurements included ankle dorsiflexion and plantarflexion ROM and stiffness of ankle muscles, including the tibialis anterior, medial, and lateral gastrocnemius muscle. Results: After VR, ankle dorsiflexion ROM, lateral gastrocnemius stiffness, and medial gastrocnemius stiffness improved significantly (all P<.05). After NVR, only the lateral gastrocnemius stiffness improved significantly (P<.05). Furthermore, in the cases of changed values for ankle dorsiflexion ROM and lateral gastrocnemius stiffness were compared within groups, VR showed a more significant difference than NVR (P<.05) Conclusion: VR improved ankle ROM and muscle stiffness. Therefore, we suggest that practitioners need to consider VR as an intervention to improve dorsiflexion ROM and gastrocnemius stiffness in stroke patients.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제21권1호
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• pp.168-175
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• 2004

Objective: This report was designed to investigate characteristic of ankle sprain due to cause, degree of injury, treatment process, sex, age etc Methods: We selected 36 patients who visited our clinic at last over two times complaining of ankle-sprain since 8th, March, 2002. Results: The results were summarized as follows. 1. The major cause of ankle-sprain was injury of lateral collateral ligament. 2. Ankle-sprain was distinguished three degree, and generally presented pain, regional tenderness, swelling, limited movement, muscle spasm, redness, deformity. 3. In early stage of ankle-sprain, ice massage, compression, elevation, rest were very important. 4. In oriental medicine, the principle of treatment were promoting blood circulation to remove blood stasis, relaxing muscles and tendons and activating the flow of Gi and blood in the channels and collaterals, reducing edema or swelling, and alleviating pain. 5. There were more effective result to using three-edged needle with acupuncture. Conclusions: Ankle-sprain were treated successfully using acupuncture and three-edged needle.

• 대한족부족관절학회지
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• 제21권2호
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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.

• 대한인간공학회지
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• 제24권4호
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• pp.55-62
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• 2005

This study examined the effect of ergonomic heel rest that was designed for drivers who have physical handicap in the low leg muscles or have to drive prolonged hours with frequent foot pedaling. An experiment was designed to test the ergonomic heel rest with traditional foot pedal. Forty subjects participated in the experiment. Electromyography(EMG) was used to monitor the muscle activity and fatigue of right leg, and Electro-goniometer was used to measure the ranges of motions of the knee and ankle. A simulator of driver's seat was built for the experiment and the heel rest was installed on it. In order to examine the low muscle activity and range of motion, subjects used the foot pedal for 15 minutes repetitively for each experimental condition. Another 15 minutes test without the heel rest was also performed for comparison. The Root Mean Square(RMS) and Mean Power Frequency(MPF) Shift were used to quantify the level of muscle activity and local muscle fatigue. In results, statistically significant decreases of muscle activity and fatigue were found in all the low leg muscles. The range of motion of the knee and ankle joint also decreased when the heel rest was used. The mechanism of the heel rest effect was discussed in this study. This type of heel rest can be applied to real driving situation after ensuring the safety, or overcoming the psychological discomfort possibly due to unfamiliarity.