• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.99-107
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• 2004

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of foot orthotic on postural sway. Subjects were 15 patients(7 men and 8 women) who prescribed foot orthotic at B hospital and L rehabilitation medicine clinic in Seoul. Postural sway during a single limb stance was measured using the CMS 10 Measuring System when subjects positioned on the balance trainer under two treatment conditions(orthotic and nonorthotic). RCSP(resting calcaneal stance position) while subjects were standing on the glass plate was measured using the angle finder after subjects were positioned in prone to divide equally lower leg and calcaneus using the goniometer. The result was as follows. There were significant difference between postural sway of orthotic and nonorthotic conditions(t=4.888, 4.589, p<0.001), and the leg of the small RCSP within a subject has the small postural sway index($x^2=26.000$, p<0.001). In conclusion, foot orthotics provide structural support for detecting and controlling postural sway in patients prescribed foot orthotics.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.64-70
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was to determine whether a relationship existed between foot type and the location of plantar callus in healthy subjects. Twenty-five healthy subjects with plantar callus were recruited for this study. Foot deformities were classified according to the operational definitions as 1) a compensated forefoot varus, 2) an uncompensated forefoot varus or forefoot valgus, or 3) a compensated rearfoot varus. The location of plantar callus was divided into two regions. Fourteen of the 19 feet with compensated forefoot varus and six of the 9 feet showed plantar callus at the second, third or fourth metatarsal head. Five of the 6 feet with uncompensated forefoot varus and twenty of the 16 feet with forefoot valgus showed plantar callus at the first or fifth metatarsal head. A significant relationship was found between foot type and location of callus (p<.01). The results support the hypothesis that certain foot types are associated with characteristic patterns of pressure distribution and callus formation. We believe diabetic patients with insensitive feet and with the types of foot deformity should be fit with foot orthoses and footwears that accommodate their respective deformity in a position as near to the subtalar joint as possible with the goal of preventing plantar ulceration.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.187-193
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• 2003

Purpose: To provide baseline data for prevention and education of diabetic foot in Korea. Materials and Methods: 216 diabetic patients are included in this survey. The average age is 58.64 year old with average 9.92 years of diabetes mellitus periods. Among them, 41% used insulin injection, 42% oral medication, 14% both and 3% diet were used for their blood sugar control. The diabetic foot survey was done. Results: The survey of patients symptom and disease of their feet results: 49% had sensory decrease in their feet. Associated disease in foot were callus(15%), heel pain(10%), bunion(4%), toe deformity(2%), Tinea pedis were 9%, tingle sensation were 17%, and swelling on feet were 2%, The survey of patients privious history of foot problems are: 8% had previous operation history on their feet and 17% had history of infection on their feet, 23% had bullae history, The survey of patients prevention and education are: Those who have had more than one diabetic foot education were 45.7%, and among them 24% had routine regular foot check up. Only 5% wear special diabetic shoe and 3% had custom orthotics. Conclusion: Interests to diabetic foot care is increasing in diabetic patients in Korea. However still we need more education, and efforts for prevention. Special education and diabetic shoe is still low, The survey data could be good baseline for diabetic prevention and education.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.51-63
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• 2007

Diabetic foot ulcers result from abnormal mechanical loading of the foot, such as repetitive pressure applied to the plantar aspect of the foot while walking. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy causes changes in foot structure, affecting foot function and subsequently leading to increased plantar foot pressure, which is a predictive risk factor for the development of diabetic foot ulceration. To early identify the insensitive foot makes it possible to prevent diabetic foot ulceration and to protect the foot at risk from abnormal biomechanical loading. Abnormal foot pressures can be reduced using several different approaches, including callus debridement, prescription of special footwear, foot orthosis. injection of liquid silicone, Achilles tendon lengthening, and so forth. Off-loading of the diabetic wound is a key factor to successful wound healing as it is associated with reduced inflammatory and accelerated repair processes. Pressure relief can be achieved using various off-loading modalities including accommodative dressing, walking splints, ankle-foot orthosis, total contact cast, and removable and irremovable cast walkers.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.2060-2064
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• 2020

Background: Recently, the kinesiology taping (KT) method was reported to be effective in improving walking ability in foot drop patients after stroke, but the clinical basis is still unclear. Objectives: The KT method was compared with ankle-foot orthotics (AFO) to investigate gait ability in foot drop patients after stroke. Design: Crossover study design. Methods: In this study, 11 stroke patients with foot drop participated. Walking ability of all subjects for both conditions (KT and AFO) was measured using the GAITRite system. The order of application of the two conditions was determined randomly by drawing lots. Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare walking ability between the two conditions. The level of statistical significance was set at P<.05. Results: There were no significant differences between the KT and AFO methods in terms of velocity, cadence, step length, and stride length (P>.05, all). Conclusion: This study recommends KT as an alternative to the AFO, since KT provides evidence of preventing of foot drops and improving gait ability in stroke patient.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.33-39
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• 2016

Purpose : The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of plastic ankle foot orthosis on adult post-stroke hemiplegic patients walking ability and balance. Method : The searched for the case controlled clinical trials about the effects of plastic ankle foot orthosis(pAFO) for walking ability and balance using quantitative gait analysis in adult post-stroke patients. Ten trials were selected from Riss4U databases published until June 2016 in Korea. The selected trials contained a control group with pre-test and post-test design, measured walking ability and balance as a dependent variable. Result : The selected ten trials involved a total of 180 patients. The walking speed, cadence, the portion of double limb supporting, stride length on affected side were improved by plastic ankle foot orthosis. Conclusion : The plastic ankle foot orthosis has some evidence to improve the walking ability and balance in post-stroke hemiplegic patients.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.41-46
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• 2008

Purpose: This study was designed to evaluate characteristics of foot pressure distribution with or without partial prosthetic foot in transmetatarsal amputee. Materials and Methods: The subjects were 9 transmetatarsal amputees. Foot pressures were measured at hallux, the $1^{st}-5^{th}$ metatarsal head (MTH), mid-foot, condyle area by F-scan system in amputated or contralateral foot during active walking. Results: In amputated foot, mean peak pressure was greatest in midfoot without prosthetic foot but it was greatest in hindfoot with prosthetic foot. In unaffected foot, although mean peak pressure was higher in hallux, and $1-5^{th}$ MTH compared to amputated foot, it was greatest in hind foot both with and without prosthetic foot. However, in unaffected foot, mean peak pressure significantly decreased in hallux and $5^{th}$ MTH after wearing the prosthetic foot. There was a significant difference in mean peak pressure in hallux and $5^{th}$ MTH between amputated and unaffected foot after wearing prosthetic foot. However, other region had no significant difference with or without prosthetic foot between feet. Conclusions: The use of partial prosthetic foot tends to shift weight bearing from the heel area to forefoot and could significantly reduce hind foot peak pressure and redistributed to peak pressure. The partial prosthetic foot can also offer the peak pressure to reduction both amputated foot and unaffected foot and help to toe off during walking.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.85-90
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• 2007

In many manufacturing occupations, industrial workers reported foot or lower leg problems such as discomfort, pain or orthopedic deformities. This study investigated the effects of two different working conditions upon assembly worker's perception of discomfort and foot pain associated with various body parts. Twenty-three male volunteers performed work in the factory. Ergonomic intervention has been to modify the flooring in an attempt to alleviate the problems associated with constrained standing and walking work. The worker's standing conditions consisted of standing on a hard floor while wearing shoe insoles. Questions were asked regarding body discomfort and foot pain. Significant differences in body discomfort and foot pain were found when comparing the overall effects of wearing shoe insoles on a hard floor (p<.05). This investigation indicated that shoe insoles reduced body discomfort and foot pain (p<.05).

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.93-99
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• 2016

Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain. The diagnosis of plantar fasciitis is primarily based on the presentation of symptoms and physical examination. Patients usually complain of heel pain at the medial calcaneal tubercle when taking their first step in the morning or when walking after resting. Diagnostic imaging is rarely required for the initial diagnosis of plantar fasciitis; however, it can be used for differential diagnosis. Conservative treatments, such as stretching, rest, ice massage, oral analgesics, foot orthotics, use of night splint, and corticosteroid injection, may be effective. The majority of patients report improvement with conservative treatments, and those who show no response from conservative treatments for a duration of six months or longer can consider extracorporeal shock wave therapy or surgery.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.57-61
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• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the effect of active foot arch support on the muscles of lower extremity electromyographic activity during squat exercise in persons with pronated foot. Methods: The study subjects were 16 persons with pronated foot. They have no history of surgery in lower extremity and trunk and limitation of range of motion or pain when performing squat exercise. Each subject was measured the navicular drop (ND) to determine the pronated foot. And then the subjects were asked to perform three repetitions of a $90^{\circ}$ knee flexion squat in both conditions which are 1) preferred squat and 2) squat with active foot arch support. Results: Paired t-test revealed that squat with active foot arch support produced significantly greater EMG activities in abductor hallucis (p=0.00), proneus longus (p=0.03) and gluteus medius (p=0.04) than preferred squat. But the EMG activities of tibialis anterior, vastus medialis oblique and vastus lateralis were not showed significantly different between the both squat conditions. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that active foot arch support during squat increase the activities of lower extremity muscles which are the abductor hallucis, proneus longus and gluteus medius. Also, the abductor hallucis which is one of the planter intrinsic muscle and peroneus longus play a role in support of the foot arch and active foot arch support induced the increase of the activity of gluteus medius. Therefore active foot arch support can change the lower extremity biomechanics as well as passive foot support such as foot orthotics and taping.