• Proceedings of the KIEE Conference
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• 2006.10c
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• pp.193-195
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• 2006

In this study, we developed an active controlled ankle-foot orthosis(AAFO) which can control the dorsiflexion/plantarflexion of the ankle joint during gait to prevent foot drop and toe drag for paralysis patients. To prevent dropping foot after heel strike, ankle joint was actively controlled to minimize forefoot collision with the ground. It was also controlled to provide toe clearance and to help push-off during late stance. The 3D gait analysis was performed on two healthy subjects equipped with the developed AAFO to compare with the normal gait and the conventional AFO gait. In the developed AAFO gait, differently from the conventional AFO gait, significant push-off was observed during pre-swing and the maximum flexion moment during pre-swing phase was similar to that of normal gait. A remarkable dorsiflexion also occurred during initial swing. These results indicated that the developed AAFO could have certain clinical benefits to prevent foot drop for paralysis patients, compared to conventional AFOs.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.53 no.5
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• pp.269-273
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• 2013

Objective : Posture induced common peroneal nerve (CPN) palsy is usually produced during the prolonged squatting or habitual leg crossing while seated, especially in Asian culture and is manifested by the onset of foot drop. Because of its similarity to discogenic foot drop, patients may be diagnosed with a lumbar disc disorder, and in some patients, surgeons may perform unnecessary examinations and even spine surgery. The purpose of our study is to establish the clinical characteristics and diagnostic assessment of posture induced CPN palsy. Methods : From June 2008 to June 2012, a retrospective study was performed on 26 patients diagnosed with peroneal nerve palsy in neurophysiologic study among patients experiencing foot drop after maintaining a certain posture for a long time. Results : The inducing postures were squatting (14 patients), sitting cross-legged (6 patients), lying down (4 patients), walking and driving. The mean prolonged neural injury time was 124.2 minutes. The most common clinical presentation was foot drop and the most affected sensory area was dorsum of the foot with tingling sensation (14 patients), numbness (8 patients), and burning sensation (4 patients). The clinical improvement began after a mean 6 weeks, which is not related to neural injury times. Electrophysiology evaluation was performed after 2 weeks later and showed delayed CPN nerve conduction study (NCS) in 24 patients and deep peroneal nerve in 2 patients. Conclusion : We suggest that an awareness of these clinical characteristics and diagnostic assessment methods may help clinicians make a diagnosis of posture induced CPN palsy and preclude unnecessary studies or inappropriate treatment in foot drop patients.

• Journal of Electrodiagnosis and Neuromuscular Diseases
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.135-138
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• 2018

Peroneal neuropathy scarcely can develop after massive weight reduction. A 21-year-old man complained left foot drop after 28% weight reduction (from 94 kgs to 67.5 kgs). During previous seven months, he played PC games with sitting cross-legged more than seven hours a day. In addition, he started a heavily restricted diet three months ago. Except for those, he had neither any medical history nor trauma to his knee. Electrophysiologic study showed the partial conduction block of left peroneal neuropathy at the fibular head. Four-week well balanced diet and physical therapy improved his foot drop. For the prevention of peroneal neuropathy related to weight reduction, well balanced diet and lifestyle modification are needed.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.1486-1489
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• 2018

This study aimed to investigate the influence of walking on crural muscle tone and stiffness in individuals with bilateral pronated foot. This study consisted of 16 healthy male. Subjects were divided into a pronated foot group (n = 8) and a normal foot group (n = 8). The navicular drop test on both foot and muscle tone and stiffness in tibialis anterior muscle, medial gastrocnemius muscle, and peroneus longus muscle of both lower extremities were measured before and after 30 min of walking. In this study, the measured navicular drop test before walking was significantly different between pronated foot group and a normal group(p < .05). After 30 min of walking, significantly, increased medial gastrocnemius muscle stiffness of the non-dominant leg was found in the pronated foot group (p < .05). However, there was no significant difference in medial gastrocnemius muscle stiffness between the two groups (p > .05). Based on this study, pronated foot needs to be managed to prevent the abnormally increased medial gastrocnemius muscle stiffness.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.149-153
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• 2004

This report present on a case of common peroneal nerve palsy effectively treated with oriental medical therapy. Common peroneal nerve palsy caused by compression of nerve, general illness(diabetes mellitus) etc. It occur foot drop, disorder of ankle dorsi-flexor and eversion, disorder of foot sensory. If nerve palsy is progressed, muscle atropy is occurred. This patient fall foot drop before two month ago without reason. He is diagnosed as peroneal nerve palsy by brain MRI, EMG and doctor's physical examination. This patient effectively treated by oriental medical therapy. Oriental medical therapy is herb medicine(kamisamul-tang), acupuncture(S36, S38, S40, S41, G34, G39, G40, G41, LIV3, LIV4, K3, B60), Electro-acupuncture, bee venom acupuncture, moxibustion, electro physical therapy(EST, SSP). Time of therapy is two months and sequela is nothing.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.47-55
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• 2021

Background: Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common conditions of the lower limbs. The present study aimed to compare the effect of hip muscle strengthening exercise and stretching of lower extremity in plantar fasciitis, with regard to pain, navicular drop and foot and ankle functional ability. Methods: A total of 42 patients diagnosed with plantar fasciitis were randomly assigned to the experimental group (n=21) that applied the hip muscle strengthening exercise and the control group(n=21) that applied the general lower limb stretching. The intervention period was 6 weeks. Results: The results of the experiment showed that the exercises for strengthening the hip muscle had significant effects on pain, navicular drop and foot and ankle functional ability In addition, lower extremity stretching showed improvement effects in pain, navicular drop and foot and ankle functional ability, however, the difference between the groups except navicular drop did not reach statistical significance Conclusion: Both interventions tested in this study were confirmed to be effective treatment options for patients with plantar fasciitis.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.9-14
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• 2019

Background: Pes planus, or flat foot, causes lower limb malalignment and foot pain during walking or exercise. Therefore, a highly reliable evaluation method to accurately diagnose flat feet is necessary. This study investigated the intra-and inter-rater reliability of the navicular drop test in different postures. Design: Cross sectional study. Methods: Forty healthy volunteers performed the navicular drop test in three different combinations of non-weight-bearing and weight-bearing postures (standing/standing, sitting/sitting, and sitting/standing). Two examiners alternately performed the measurements five times in each subject, and in each posture. Significant differences in measurements were obtained among the three postures, with the highest navicular drop being observed in the sitting/standing posture. Results: Inter-rater reliability was high in the sitting/standing and sitting/sitting postures. Intra-rater reliability was high in all three postures. In the sitting/sitting and sitting/standing postures, large navicular drop values and high inter- and intra-rater reliability were observed. Conclusion: Therefore, the sitting/standing and sitting/sitting postures are recommended for use in navicular drop tests to diagnose flat feet.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.115-123
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• 2012

It is important to assess foot posture when investigating the relationship between lower extremity dysfunctions and foot types. Although several measurements of static foot posture have been used, there is no consensus regarding clinical measurements for foot posture. The aim of this study is to explore the differences among navicular drift (NDt), foot posture index (FPI), arch index (AI), dorsal arch height ratio (DAHR), normal navicular height truncated (NNHt) and to discover the most effective measurement. After foot types were classified by navicular drop test (NDp), clinical measurements of NDt, FPI, AI, DAHR, and NNHt were performed on 64 subjects' feet. ANOVA analysis was used for the variance of the difference between the NDp and the five kinds of clinical measurements, and the level of significance was set at ${\alpha}$=.05. The results showed that all five clinical measurements demonstrated significant differences with navicular drop. In post-hoc, FPI and NNHt showed significant differences in all foot types. The five clinical measurements are suitable the classification of foot types through the NDp. Therefore, it could be possible to assess correct and objective foot posture by using FPI and NNHt.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.131-136
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• 2007

In this study, we developed an active ankle-foot orthosis(AAFO) which can control dorsi/ plantar flexion of the ankle joint to prevent foot drop and toe drag during walking. 3D gait analyses were performed on five healthy subjects under three different gait conditions: the normal gait without AFO, the SAFO gait with the conventional plastic AFO, and the AAFO gait with the developed AFO. As a result, the developed AAFO preeminently induced the normal gait compared to the SAFO. Additionally, AAFO prevented foot drop by proper plantarflexion during loading response and provided enough plantarflexion moment as a driving force to walk forward by sufficient push-off during pre-swing. AAFO also could prevent toe drag by proper dorsiflexion during swing phase. These results indicate that the developed AAFO may have more clinical benefits to treat foot drop and toe drag, compared to conventional AFOs, and also may be useful in patients with other orthotic devices.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.302-306
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• 2020

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate comparisons of vastus medialis (VMO) and vastus lateralis (VL) muscle activities according to different heights during drop landing in flatfooted adults. Methods: Fifteen subjects with a flat foot arch and 15 subjects with a normal feet arch were participated. Subjects performed a double limb drop landing task from 20, 40, and 60 cm heights. Surface electromyography was used to measure the muscle activities of the VMO and VL during drop landing. Results: There were significant differences of muscle activities in the VMO, VL, and the VMO and VL ratio between groups. The electromyography values of VMO, VL, and the VMO and VL ratio in the normal group were significantly greater than in the flat foot group, and muscle activities and the VMO and VL ratio significantly increased with landing heights in the both groups. Conclusion: Our results indicated that muscle activity patterns of VOM and VL in the flat foot group were lower at heights than in the normal group, so calf tightness was negative effects on balance and gait ability, so assessment of muscle activation patterns in the knee extensors should be considered during exercise and treatment of flat feet.