• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.137-147
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• 2004

Objective : The aim of the study was to compare the therapeutic effect of the superficial and in-depth insertion of acupuncture needles in the treatment of patients with ankle sprain. Design : A prospective randomized single-blind study of superficial and deep acupuncture was conducted. Setting : The study was conducted in the Kang-nam Oriental Hosp. of Dong-Guk University. Patients: The study comprised 14 patients with ankle sprain who were divided into two groups (A and B). Intervention : In group A, the needle was introduced in the skin at a depth of 2 mm, whereas in group B the needle was placed deeply into muscular tissue or the articular capsule at a depth more than 1.5 Cm The treatment was planned for a duration of 1 week, 3 times. Outcome Measures : The intensity of pain was evaluated with the Ankle grade pain chart(AGPC) before and after treatment and at the 1-week follow-up examination. The AGPC includes Swelling, Tenderness, Exudation, Bruise, Medial/Lateral. stability test, Anterior drawer test, Squeeze test, Bearing weight, Pressure Algometer, Walking state and VAS. Results : Although at the end of the treatment there was no evidence of significant statistical differences between the two different groups, Pain reduction(VAS) was greater in the group treated with deep acupuncture. A statistical difference existed between the two groups at the 1 week follow up, with a better result in the deeply stimulated group in VAS. Conclusion : Clinical results show that deep stimulation has a better analgesic effect when compared with superficial stimulation in pain reduction(VAS, Visual analogic scale).

• Journal of Korean Orthopaedic Sports Medicine
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.88-91
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• 2007

Persistent instability following an acute lateral ankle sprain eventually require ligamentous reconstruction in some cases. Over 50 surgical procedures have been described to reestablish lateral ankle stability varying from direct in situ repair of the anterior talofibular ligament and the calcaneofibular ligament to augmented reconstructions with either autograft or allograft tissue. The author describes the rationale and the technique of anatomic ankle ligament reconstruction with the 4th extensor digitorum longus tendon.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.29-39
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• 2024

Background: Landing from a step or stairs is a basic motor skill but high incidence of lateral ankle sprain has been reported during landing with inverted foot. Objects: This study aimed to investigate the effect of landing height and visual feedback on the kinematics of landing and supporting lower limbs before and after the touch down and the ground reaction force(GRF)s. Methods: Eighteen healthy females were voluntarily participated in landing from the lower (20 cm) and the higher (40 cm) steps with and without visual feedback. To minimize the time to plan the movement, the landing side was randomly announced as a starting signal. Effects of the step height, the visual feedback, or the interaction on the landing duration, the kinematic variables and the GRFs at each landing event point were analyzed. Results: With eyes blindfolded, the knee flexion and ankle dorsiflexion on landing side significantly decreased before and after the touch down. However, there was no significant effect of landing height on the anticipatory kinematics on the landing side. After the touch down, the landings from the higher step increased the knee flexion and ankle dorsiflexion on both landing and supporting sides. From the higher steps, the vertical GRF, anterior GRF, and lateral GRF increased. No interaction between step height and visual feedback was significant. Conclusion: Step height and visual feedback affected the landing limb kinematics independently. Visual feedback affected on the landing side while step height altered the supporting side prior to the touch down. After the touch down, the step height had greater influence on the lower limb kinematics and the GRFs than the visual feedback. Findings of this study can contribute to understanding of the injury mechanisms and preventing the lateral ankle sprain.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.175-178
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• 2011

Inversion injury of the lateral ankle ligaments is very common. Few studies, however, have focused on avulsion fracture of the lateral ankle ligaments. A fracture producing a small fragment usually avulsed from lateral malleolus and may be easily misdiagnosed as a sprain because the fragment is superimposed on the lateral malleolus and goes undetected on early radiographs, especially in skeletally immature patients. We present a case of isolated avulsion fracture of the talar attachment of the anterior talofibular ligament in 13-year-old male patient. Diagnosis was confirmed by computed tomography and avulsed fragment was fixed to original talar footprint with suture anchors. A high level of suspicion must be maintained to obtain an accurate diagnosis of avulsion fracture in inversion ankle injury because of the high incidence in children and to prevent recurrent instability.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.73-79
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• 2022

Purpose : Kinesio taping applied to the ankle varies, and if the overall ankle is taped as much as possible, several effects, including balance, can be expected, but clinically the cost reduction for intervention is very important. Therefore, this study attempted to find out the optimal way to the effect and cost of kinesio taping on ankle dynamic balance. Methods : The subject of this study was 24 university students in their 20s (male: 13, female: 11), who received sufficient explanation of the purpose and method of the study. The Cumberland ankle instability tool (CAIT) questionnaire was used for the degree of ankle instability of the study subjects. If the subject's CAIT score was 28 points or more, it was classified as a stable ankle, and if the score was 24 points or less, it was classified as functional ankle instability (FAI). In this study, Biodex Balance System^® measurement equipment was used to calculate the dynamic balance of study participants. The application of kinesio taping was performed by one physical therapist to attach in the same way, and a method of wrapping the ankle joint was applied in the eight-shaped bandage. Results : The results are as follows in before and after taping of the stable ankle and FAI group. There was no significant difference in the overall, anterior-posterior, and medial-lateral stability index. The comparison is as follows between groups for the differences (post-pre value) in before and after the application of kinesio taping. There were no significant differences between groups in all the overall, anterior-posterior, and medial-lateral stability index. Conclusion : In this study, no significant difference in kinesio taping was found in the dynamic balance of stable ankle and FAI (overall, anterior-posterior, and medial-lateral). It is necessary to continue to study ways to find the maximum effect while minimally attaching them to the application method of ankle kinesio taping.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.1-15
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• 2021

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate 1) the difference in static lower extremity alignment (SLEA) according to a history of lateral ankle sprain (LAS), 2) to identify SLEA factors affecting LAS, and 3) to present the cut-off value and 4) the usefulness and limitations of the SLEA measurement. Method: This case-control study recruited 88 men (age: 27.78±4.69 yrs) and 39 women (age: 24.62±4.20 yrs) subjects with and without LAS. SLEA measurement protocol included Q angle, tibiofemoral angle, genu recurvatum, rear foot (RF) angle, tibal varum and torsion, navicular drop, ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (DF ROM). Independent t-test, logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve were used for statistical analysis. Results: Men with a history of LAS had significantly smaller Q angles both in standing and in supine position, while women with a history of LAS had significantly greater DF ROM in non-weight bearing (NWB; p < 0.05). Logistic regression model suggests tibial varum (OR = 0.779, p = 0.021) and WB DF ROM (OR = 1.067, p = 0.045) were associated with LAS in men. In case of women, there were no significant SLEA factors for LAS, however, ROC curve analysis revealed standing RF angle (AUC = 0.647, p = 0.028) and NWB DF ROM (AUC = 0.648, p = 0.026) could be affecting factors for LAS. Conclusion: There are differences in SLEA according to the history of LAS, furthermore, the identified items were different by sex. In case of men, tibial varum and WB DF ROM affect LAS occurrence. Standing RF angle and NWB DF ROM of women could be a predictor for LAS. However, since the sensitivity and specificity in most of the SLEA measurements are low, kinematic in dynamic tasks should be considered together for a more accurate evaluation of LAS risk.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.200-207
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• 2021

Background: Postural control deficit is a major characteristic in patients with chronic ankle instability (CAI). Elastic ankle tapings are commonly used to facilitate postural control in patients with CAI as well as prevent relapse of a lateral ankle sprain. However, equivocal evidence exists concerning the effect of elastic ankle taping on postural control. Objects: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of elastic ankle tapings using kinesio taping (KT) and dynamic taping (DT) on static and dynamic postural control in patients with CAI. Methods: Fifteen subjects with CAI were participated in this study. The participants performed tests under three conditions (barefoot, KT, and DT). Static postural control was evaluated using the one-leg standing test (OLST) and dynamic postural control using the modified Star Excursion Balance Test (mSEBT). One-way repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to compare center of pressure (CoP) data and normalized mSEBT reach distances among the three conditions (with α = 0.05). Results: The CoP parameters (path length, ellipse area, and mean velocity) of the OLST significantly decreased on applying KT and DT compared with those when barefoot. The normalized reach distances in the anteromedial (AM), medial (M), and posteromedial (PM) directions of the mSEBT significantly increased with DT compared to that in the control condition. Further, the higher reach distances with KT compared with those in the control condition were obtained in the M and PM directions of the mSEBT. No significant differences were identified in any of the OLST and SEBT parameters between the two different taping applications. Conclusion: KT and DT improved static postural control during the OLST compared with the control condition. Moreover, these tapes improved dynamic postural control during the mSEBT compared to the control. Therefore, elastic ankle tapings are useful prophylactic devices for the prevention and treatment of ankle sprain in people with CAI.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.93-103
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• 2024

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether dancers with chronic ankle instability (CAI) exhibit different characteristics in dynamic postural control ability and ankle joint laxity compared to dancers without CAI and non-dancers with CAI. Method: Twelve dancers with CAI, 14 dancers without CAI, and 12 non-dancers with CAI participated in the study. Dynamic balance was evaluated using the Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) and the single-leg hop balance. The laxity of the ankle joint was evaluated through the anterior drawer test and the talar tilt test. SEBT measured maximum reach distances in anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral directions. Single-leg hop assessed center of pressure (COP) and time-to-boundary (TTB) outcomes. One-way ANOVA and Chi-square tests were performed to compare the outcome variables among the three groups. Results: Dancers with CAI demonstrated greater reach distance in the posterolateral direction compared to non-dancers with CAI during SEBT (p=.014). Secondly, dancers without CAI showed greater reach distance in the posterolateral (p<.001) and posteromedial (p=.001) directions during SEBT compared to non-dancers with CAI. Additionally, dancers without CAI exhibited better postural control with higher TTB AP mean of minima (p=.003) and TTB AP standard deviation of minima (p=.012) during single-leg hop compared to nondancers with CAI. Thirdly, dancers with CAI showed a lower positive rate during the anterior drawer test compared to non-dancers with CAI (p=.019). Conclusion: Dancers with CAI demonstrated better ankle function and reduced mechanical instability compared to non-dancers with CAI. Therefore, to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of lateral ankle sprain and CAI development exacerbation in dancers, additional factors that can affect ankle sprain, such as visual dependence during postural control and evaluation in dance movements, should be explored.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.9-16
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• 2022

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate how the chronic ankle instability affects postural control during forward jump landing. Method: 20 women with chronic ankle instability (age: 21.7 ± 1.6 yrs, height: 162.1 ± 3.7 cm, weight: 52.2 ± 5.8 kg) and 20 healthy adult women (age: 21.8 ± 1.6 yrs, height: 161.9 ± 4.4 cm, weight: 52.9 ± 7.2 kg) participated in this study. For the forward jump participants were instructed to stand on two legs at a distance of 40% of their body height from the center of force plate. Participants were jump forward over a 15 cm hurdle to the force plate and land on their non-dominant or affected leg. Kinetic and kinematic data were obtained using 8 motion capture cameras and 1 force plates and joint angle, vertical ground reaction force and center of pressure. All statistical analyses were using SPSS 25.0 program. The differences in variables between the two groups were compared through an independent sample t-test, and the significance level was to p < .05. Results: In the hip and knee joint angle, the CAI group showed a smaller flexion angle than the control group, and the knee joint valgus angle was significantly larger. In the case of ankle joint, the CAI group showed a large inversion angle at all events. In the kinetic variables, the vGRF was significantly greater in the CAI group than control group at IC and mGRF. In COP Y, the CAI group showed a lateral shifted center of pressure. Conclusion: Our results indicated that chronic ankle instability decreases the flexion angle of the hip and knee joint, increases the valgus angle of the knee joint, and increases the inversion angle of the ankle joint during landing. In addition, an increase in the maximum vertical ground reaction force and a lateral shifted center of pressure were observed. This suggests that chronic ankle instability increases the risk of non-contact knee injury as well as the risk of lateral ankle sprain during forward jump landing.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.292-297
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• 2020

Background: Ankle sprain is one of the most common musculoskeletal injuries in the sports population or during usual daily life activities. The sprain can cause functional ankle instability (FAI), and it is very important to treat FAI. However, the optimum intervention method for FAI has yet to be determined. Objects: This study investigated the impact that virtual reality (VR) training program on balance with ankle kinesio taping for FAI. Methods: Twenty-two people were selected for the study and randomly divided into the experimental (n = 11) and the control group (n = 11). The experimental group had attached kinesio taping on the ankle and then implemented a virtual reality exercise program for 30 minutes a day. Nintendo Wii Fit Plus was used for the VR intervention three times a week for four weeks. The control group performed only two measurements without intervention. Results: There were no statistically significant differences in overall, anterior-posterior (AP), medial-lateral (ML) index of the static balance, and significant differences in overall, AP, ML index of the dynamic balance when taping and VR exercise were applied at the same time (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences in overall and ML index of static and dynamic balance compared with before and after assessment between the experimental and the control group, and found differences in AP index of static and dynamic balance (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Kinesio taping may not influence the balance of FAI as great as people expected. VR approach does not affect the static balance of FAI, but it influences dynamic balance in overall, AP, ML index. The authors suggest that VR-based exercises can be used as an additional concept in clinicians for FAI or as part of a home program because the exercises still have limitations.