• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.28-35
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• 2005

The purpose of this study was to determine whether gender differences existed in knee valgus kinematics in college students when performing a vertical drop landing. The hypothesis of this study was that females would demonstrate greater knee valgus motion. These differences in knee valgus motion may be indicative of decreased dynamic knee joint control in females. This study compared the initial knee valgus angle and maximum knee valgus angle at the instant of impact on vertical drop landings between healthy men and women. In this study, 60 participants (30 males, 30 females) dropped from a height of 43 cm. A digital camera and two-dimensional video motion analysis software were used to analyze the kinematic data. There was significant difference in the mean knee valgus angle at initial contact landing between the two groups (Mean=$7.88^{\circ}$, SD=$4.24^{\circ}$ in males, Mean=$12.93^{\circ}$, SD=$2.89^{\circ}$ in females). The range of knee valgus angle on landing (Mean=$3.25^{\circ}$, SD=$5.72^{\circ}$ in males, Mean=$11.44^{\circ}$, SD=$6.39^{\circ}$ in females) was differed significantly (p<.05). The maximal angle of knee valgus on landing (Mean=$10.91^{\circ}$, SD=$6.89^{\circ}$ in males, Mean=$24.25^{\circ}$, SD=$6.38^{\circ}$ in females) was also differed significantly (p<.05). The females landed with a larger range of knee valgus motion than the males and this might have increased the likelihood of a knee injury. The absence of dynamic knee joint stability may be responsible for increased rates of knee injury in females. No method for accurate and practical screening and identification of athletes at increased risk of ACL injury is currently available to target those individuals that would benefit from neuromuscular training before sports participation.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.41-47
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• 2012

Background: This study was designed to investigate the correlation between electromyography (EMG) activities in the vastus medialis oblique (VMO) vs vastus lateralis (VL) activity ratio and the valgus collapse knee position while stepping down. Methods: Twenty healthy women volunteered to participate in this study. We measured the frontal-plane projections of the knee valgus angle, knee valgus distance, and hip adduction angle by using a digital camcorder. After 3 repetitions of the step down (dominant side) exercise, the findings of the static and dynamic phases were analyzed. EMG activities data of the VMO:VL activity ratio were recorded during the step down exercise and were normalized to the maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) of the quadriceps. A paired t-test was used to compare the findings of the static and dynamic phases. We analyzed the Spearman's rank order correlation coefficient between the and VMO:VL ratio. Results: Hip adduction angle, knee valgus angle, VMO activity, VL activity, VMO:VL activity ratio were statistically higher in the dynamic phase than in the static phase (p<.05). Frontal-plane projections of knee valgus angle were significantly correlated with hip adduction angle (r=.459, p<.05) and knee valgus distance (r=.505, p<.05). However, the EMG activity ratio of the VMO and the VL did not show a significant change during step down exercise with respect to hip adduction angle (p=.875), knee valgus angle (p=.618), and knee valgus distance (p=.701). Conclusion: The results from this study indicate that frontal-plane projections of knee valgus angle were associated with hip adduction angle and knee valgus distance. On the basis of these results, the knee valgus distance may be used to determine the valgus collapse knee position while stepping down.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.281-286
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• 2020

Objective: This study examined the effects of dynamic tape applied to the patellofemoral joint on the knee valgus angle, muscle activity, and ground reaction force during a single leg squat (SLS) and single leg landing (SLL). Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Twenty-four subjects (11 male, 13 female) who met the inclusion criteria were screened by the knee palpation and patella compression tests. First, the knee valgus angle and muscle activity during SLS were measured. Second, the knee valgus angle and ground reaction force during SLL were measured. For the intervention, a patella joint loop using dynamic tape was used. The knee valgus angle, muscle activities in SLS and SLL after the intervention, and the ground reaction force were measured in the same way. A paired t-test was used to examine the difference between before and after the intervention. Results: The knee valgus angle showed a statistically significant improvement after dynamic taping application in SLS and SLL (p<0.05). The differences in muscle activity of the VL/VMO and ground reaction forces were not statistically significant after dynamic taping application in SLS and SLL. Conclusions: This study showed that dynamic taping applied around the patellofemoral joint was effective in improving the knee valgus angle in SLS and SLL and had a reduced risk of secondary injury during sports activity.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.240-249
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• 2024

Objective: The objective of this study is to evaluate various research that have examined dynamic knee valgus and to pinpoint a straightforward, clinically practical 2D assessment method for dynamic knee valgus that is user-friendly. Design: A literature review Methods: This literature review was conducted in Pubmed, MEDLINE^® and Google Scholar with the following key words: Knee valgus angle, Knee valgus evaluation, Knee valgus assessment, Dynamic knee valgus. After removing duplicate studies, 53 articles were initially chosen using this method, with 17 studies ultimately meeting the selection criteria. Results: Based on the comprehensive review of various studies, the Single Leg Squat (SLS) was identified as the most popular test method, followed by the Single Leg Landing (SLL) as the next most common test method. The Frontal Plane Projection Angle (FPPA) method was the most representative method for measuring dynamic knee valgus (DKV) during these tests. SLS was found in a total of 10 studies, while SLL was found in 7 studies. Conclusions: The most commonly proposed test for assessing DKV is measuring the SLS using the FPPA method. However, when applied to individuals without knee pathology, the discriminative power of this method may be limited. This suggests the need for further research to explore alternative methods for assessing DKV in this population.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.93-105
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• 2016

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of corrective exercise on hip joint range of motion, lower limb alignment, radiographs of hip and knee joints, and quadriceps muscle activity in a patient with knee joint valgus deformity. METHODS: A single-subject A-B-A experimental design was used to determine the effects of therapeutic exercise. The single-subject was a 27-year-old male, who presented with knee joint valgus deformity. Corrective exercise program was performed for 40 min/day twice a week for 12-week. Range of motion (hip flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, internal rotation, and external rotation), lower limb alignment test (Q-angle, rear foot alignment, and leg length), standing anterior-posterior radiographs (neck shaft angle and knee joint space), and quadriceps muscle activity of both lower limbs were measured before (A 1), after 6 weeks (B 1) and after 12-weeks (B 2) of corrective exercise and after 6 weeks of exercise completion (A 2). RESULTS: Hip range of motion increased in all directions of both sides at B 2 and A 2 compared to at A 1. Q-angle of both side and leg length discrepancy decreased at B 2 and A 2 compared to at A 1. Neck shaft angle and knee joint space of both sides improve at B 2 and A 2 compared to at A 1. Quadriceps of both side muscle activities improved at B 2 and A 2 compared to at A 1. CONCLUSION: We demonstrated that corrective exercise increases range of motion, and improves lower limb alignment and muscle activity in a patient with knee joint valgus deformity.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.406-413
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• 2021

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate effects of taping technique applied to knee instability. Design: Cross sectional study. Methods: Twenty-six participants with knee instabilityparticipated in this study. They were randomly assigned to the Kinesio taping (KT) group (n=13) and the dynamic taping (DT) group (n=13). Both groups applied knee stabilization taping techniques. In order to compare the effects of each taping technique, the change in the landing error scoring system (LESS) and lower extremity joint angle wasrecorded before and after the intervention. Results: Both groups significantly decreased in the change before and after the LESS (p<0.05). At the joint angle of the lower extremities, KT group significantly reduced the valgus angle at the max knee flexion (p<0.05). In DT group knee joint flexion and hip joint flexion angles were significantly increased at foot contact (p<0.05). In max knee flexion, the knee joint flexion angle was significantly increased (p<0.05). In foot contact, max knee flexion, the knee joint valgus angle was significantly increased (p<0.05). DT group showed more significant changes in knee joint flexion angle at foot contact and hip joint flexion angle at max knee flexion. Conclusions: Dynamic taping is a clinically applicable intervention method for lowering the risk of non-contact injury in participants with knee instability and for knee stability during rehabilitation exercises.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.289-299
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• 1994

This study was researched the general characteristics, the elbow-knee joint form, the varus and valgus angle and the both knee joint distance of the 215 persons form July 1, 1994 to July 15, 1994. The results were as follows : 1. The form of elbow joint was significant statistically in the sex group(p<0.05). 2. The angle of elbow joint was very significant statistically in the age group and sex. B.M.I. group(p<0.001, p<0.01, p<0.01), and the average angle was $9^{\circ}.51{\pm}4^{\circ}.79$(n=215). 3. The angle of Cubitus valgus was very significant statistically in the age group(p<0.001), and the average angle of Cubitus valgus was $10^{\circ}.85{\pm}3^{\circ}.76$(n=187). 4. The angle of Knee joint was significant statistically in the age group(p<0.05), and the its average angle was $7^{\circ}.63{\pm}4^{\circ}.52$(n=215). 5. The angle of Genu varus was significant statistically in the age and sex group(p<0.05, p<0.05), and the its average was $6^{\circ}.92{\pm}2^{\circ}.36$(n=27). 6. The angle of Genu valgus was very significant statistically in the age group(p<0.001), and the its average angle was $9^{\circ}.75{\pm}2^{\circ}.94$(n=149). 7. The distance of both Knee joint was significant statistically in the age group and B. M. I. group (p<0.001, p<0.05), and the its average distance was $2.55{\pm}1.45cm$(n=135).

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.55-60
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• 2017

Purpose: Stiffness in the first metatarsophalangeal joint after surgery for hallux valgus has been reported. The goal of this study was to test the efficacy of releasing plantar aponeurosis for improving the range of extension in the first metatarsophalangeal joint that was limited after hallux valgus surgery. Materials and Methods: Thirteen patients (1 man, 12 women [17 feet]; median age, 54.4 years; range, 44~69 years) with limited first metatarsophalangeal joint extension after hallux valgus surgery, who underwent an additional procedure of plantar aponeurosis release between March 2015 and August 2015, were included. Subsequently, the passive range of extension in the first metatarsophalangeal joint was evaluated via knee extension and flexion positions. Hallux valgus angle, inter-metatarsal angle, distal metatarsal articular angle, and talo-first metatarsal angle were measured on weightbearing dorsoplantar and lateral radiographs of the foot preoperatively. Results: The mean range of extension for the first metatarsophalangeal joint improved significantly, from $2.5^{\circ}$ to $40.9^{\circ}$ in the knee extension position (p<0.00). The mean extension range for the first metatarsophalangeal joint also improved, from $18.2^{\circ}$ to $43.2^{\circ}$ in the knee flexion position (p<0.00). In all patients, congruence of the first metatarsophalangeal joint was recovered. Conclusion: Plantar aponeurosis release is an effective additional procedure for improving the extension range of the first metatarsophalangeal joint after hallux valgus surgery.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.11-19
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• 2016

Background: Investigation in gender differences of kinetics and kinematics for individuals with patellar femoral pain syndrome (PFPS) was not sufficiently performed. Objects: The purpose of this study is that whether there is a difference depending on gender from muscle activity and strength and knee valgus angle during controlled single-leg squat which is widely used as clinical movement test for the patient with PFPS. Methods: 20 young adults (10 men, $20.0\pm}2.1$years; 10 women, $20.4{\pm}2.1$years) with PFPS were voluntarily recruited in this study. Muscle activity and strength and knee valgus angle were collected during single-leg squat. Independent t-test and Mann-Whitney test were used to compare the differences between groups of male and female. Results: Rectus femoris (t=-2.204, p=.041) and vastus medialis oblique (t=-2.151, p=.045) muscle activity of women were significantly higher than male group. Normalized muscle strength of hip and knee muscles showed a significant difference between men and women (p<.05). Valgus angle of the knee in women (t=-2.450, p=.025) were increased significantly than men. Conclusion: The therapist would consider the characteristics of these gender differences during performing movement test, exercise, and education for the individuals with PFPS.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.135-140
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• 2007

Purpose: To evaluate the incidence and describe radiologic pattern of ankle arthritis following change of mechanical loading axis by total knee arthroplasty. Materials and Methods: We reviewed radiographs of 419 cases, 243 patients underwent total knee arthroplasy from January 2002 to October 2006 retrospectively. We described radiologic parameters around the ankle joint and measured the amount of change of knee varus or valgus angle by comparing preoperative and postoperative anteroposterior standing lower extremities AP X-rays. We divided cases into two groups, one with radiologically arthritic change of the ankle joint and the other one without any radiologic change after surgery. We compared two groups in each parameters and analyzed statistically (SPSS v13.0). Results: Three hundred eighty one cases were divided into varus group and 38 cases in valgus group. 125 cases were divided into ankle arthritic change-positive subgroup among the varus group and 251 cases were in negative subgroup. The amount of varus angle correction by total knee arthroplasty showed significant difference between two subgroups. There was no significant difference in each parameters between subgroups within 38 valgus cases. Conclusion: Ankle arthritis can be aggravated after total knee arthroplasty because of the change of mechanical loading axis onto the ankle joint. Therefore it may be needed to evaluate symptoms and function of ankle joints before performing total knee arthroplasties especially in patients with huge varus deformities of knee joints.