• PNF and Movement
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.191-199
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• 2024

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effects of ankle stretching with intrinsic muscles on ankle range of motion, static and dynamic balance, and gait speed in chronic stroke patients. Methods: The participants were 20 chronic stroke patients, divided into two groups, 10 in the ankle stretching with intrinsic muscles group and 10 in the slant board exercise group. Both groups performed their respective interventions once daily, with three sets per session, five times a week for four weeks. Ankle range of motion, dynamic and static balance, and gait speed were measured before and after the intervention. An independent t-test was used to compare the results between the two groups before and after the intervention. Results: Both groups showed significant improvements in ankle range of motion, dynamic and static balance, and gait speed after the intervention (p < .05). The ankle stretching with intrinsic muscles group showed more significant improvements in ankle range of motion, dynamic and static balance, and gait speed after the intervention compared to the slant board group (p < .05). These results suggest that ankle stretching with intrinsic muscles may be more effective than the slant board for certain outcomes. Conclusion: Ankle stretching with intrinsic muscles is effective in improving ankle range of motion, dynamic and static balance, and walking speed.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.41-50
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• 2024

Background: The purpose of this study aimed to examine the effects of adding a gluteus-medius exercise to an ankle stability exercise on ankle function and balance in adults with chronic ankle instability. Methods: The study included 30 adults with chronic ankle instability living in Daegu province who were randomly divided into an experimental group performing the gluteus-medius exercise during ankle stability exercise and a control group performing the ankle stability exercise only (n=15 each). Before the test, the Cumberland ankle instability tool (CAIT) was used to identify chronic ankle instability, the Y-balance and hop (square, figure of eight, and side) tests were used to assess dynamic stability, and the balance error scoring system (BESS) was used to examine static stability. SPSS statistics version 27 (IBM) was used to analyze the data. Results: Both groups showed statistically significant differences in the CAIT, Y-Balance test, hop test. There was a meaningful difference between the groups. Conclusion: According to the results, it is considered an effective intervention to incorporate gluteus-medius strengthening exercises along with ankle stabilization exercises in the rehabilitation program for improving balance and ankle function in adults with chronic instability.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
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• 2009.06a
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• pp.75-76
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• 2009

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.89-94
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• 2016

Objective: This study was aimed to compare the thickness and pennation angle of gastrocnemius through ultrasonography during the heel-drop exercise on ankle dorsiflexion angle. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Nineteen normal adults in their 20s had voluntarily participated in this study. All subjects performed the ankle heel-drop exercise with ankle dorsiflexed to $0^{\circ}$, $10^{\circ}$, and $20^{\circ}$: heel-drop exercise with ankle dorsiflexed to $0^{\circ}$ was executed on floor-level, heel-drop exercise with ankle dorsiflexed to $10^{\circ}$ on a wooden-block of 2.3 cm in height, and heel-drop exercise with ankle dorsiflexed to $20^{\circ}$ on a wooden-block of 5.5 cm in height. In each regimen, the subjects completed a session of 100 heel-drop exercises (10 repetitions${\times}$10 sets; with 30 seconds rest following each set; with 24 hours rest following each exercise). Before and immediately after each heel-drop exercise, the thickness and pennation angle of gastrocnemius were measured using an ultrasonography. Results: After the performance of the heel drop exercises with ankle dorsiflexed to $0^{\circ}$, $10^{\circ}$, and $20^{\circ}$, the thickness of the gastrocnemius was significantly higher than pre-exercise (p<0.05), and furthermore heel-drop exercise with ankle dorsiflexed to $10^{\circ}$ was significantly higher than exercise with the ankle dorsiflexed to $0^{\circ}$ (p<0.05). However, as for the pennation angle of the gastrocnemius, there were no significant changes after each heel-drop exercise. Conclusions: This finding suggest that the heel-drop exercise with ankle dorsiflexed to $0^{\circ}$, $10^{\circ}$, and $20^{\circ}$ is effective on the strengthening of the gastrocnemius. Furthermore, the heel-drop exercise with the ankle dorsiflexed to $10^{\circ}$ is more effective than with the ankle dorsiflexed to $0^{\circ}$.

• The Journal of Korea Robotics Society
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.48-54
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• 2010

Ankle-foot orthosis with a pneumatic rubber actuator, which is intended for the assistance and the enhancement of ankle muscular activities was developed. In this study, the effectiveness of the system was investigated during plantarflexion motion of ankle joint. To find a effectiveness of the system, the subjects performed maximal voluntary isokinetic plantarflexion contraction on a Biodex-dynamometer. Plantarfexion torque of the ankle joint is assisted by subject's soleus muscle that is generated when ankle joint do plantarflexion motion. We used the muscular stiffness signal of a soleus muscle for feedback control of ankle-foot orthosis as physiological signal. For measurement of this signal, we made the muscular stiffness force sensor. We compared a muscular stiffness force of a soleus muscle between with feedback control and without it and a maximal plantarflexion torque between not wearing a ankle-foot orthosis, without feedback control wearing it and with feedback control wearing it in each ten elderly adults. The experimental result showed that a muscular stiffness force of a soleus muscle with feedback control was reduced and plantarflexion torque of an ankle joint only wearing ankle-foot orthosis was reduced but a plantarflexion torque with feedback control was increased. The amount of a increasing with feedback control is more higher than the amount of a decreasing only wearing it. Therefore, we confirmed the effectiveness of the developed ankle-foot orthosis with feedback control.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.119-122
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• 2010

Purpose: One of the main contributors to proximal fifth metatarsal fracture is ankle inversion and the incidence of recurrence may increase in patients with ankle instability. So, the authors confirmed the patients of proximal fifth metatarsal fracture with ankle instability by checking the history and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and assessed the value of MRI as therapeutic prognosis and clinical indicators for prevention of recurrence. Materials and Methods: Patients with proximal fifth metatarsal fractures visited our hospital during recent five years were reviewed. 35 patients with suspected damage by ankle inversion had been identified a history of ankle instability and checked the hindfoot malalignment through hindfoot alignment view and MRI was performed prospectively. The patients was devided to three groups on the location of fracture site and the groups were compared each other. Results: The mean time from injury to checking MRI was 10.7 days. There was no structural abnormality and was no significant difference according to the location of fracture. The patients with history of ankle inversion were 31(88.6%) and the patients with history of chronic or recurrent injury were 22 patients (62.9%). The lesion of MRI related to lateral ankle instability were identified in all patients. Conclusion: This study noted a high incidence of lateral ankle instability that was identified by MRI in the patients of proximal fifth metatarsal fracture. Aggressive treatment for lateral ankle instability should be needed for complications as proximal fifth metatarsal fracture to reduce the recurrence and occurrence.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.19-29
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• 2008

Background : Ankle inversion sprains are one of the most common injuries in sports and activities of daily living that mostly concern physically active individuals. In most researches, proprioceptive deficit, muscle weakness and/or absent coordination have been regarded as a contributing factors. Despite the high incidence of ankle sprain and instability, therapeutic approaches to properly manage the symptoms have rarely been investigated. This study aimed to identify the effect of proprioceptive exercise program that is easy to integrate in normal training program. Methods : Subjects were randomly allocated to control group and experimental group consisting of 11 and 10 patients, respectively. The conservative treatment for the control group consisted of hot packs, ultrasound and TENS. In addition, the experimental group performed 7 exercises to enhance proprioceptive function of ankle joint. The therapeutic intervention of the controland experimental groups was performed a total of 20 exercise sessions, averaging 50 hour each, 5 times per week for 4 weeks. To compare the two groups, the level of ankle disability was assessed by using the ankle injury score scale in pre- and post-treatment. Results : On assessment of post-treatment, there were statistically significant differences in the scores of all sub-items, except for ankle laxity and range of motion, and the total score of ankle injury score scale between the two groups(p<0.05). In comparison between pre- and post-treatments, the significant difference in the scores of all sub-items and total score didn't appear for the control group, while the scores of most sub-items and total score of the experimental group were shown the statistically significant difference(p<0.05). Conclusion : The findings suggest that the proprioceptive exercise program is more effective for relieving ankle disability than conservative treatment therefore, the program to improve proprioceptive function should be recommended for prevention and rehabilitation of recurrent ankle inversion injuries.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.81-86
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• 2024

The International Federation of Foot and Ankle Societies (IFFAS) is a global organization for foot and ankle societies, comprising the Asian Federation of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (AFFAS), the European Foot and Ankle Society (EFAS), the Latin American Federation of Medicine and Surgery of the Foot and Leg (FLAMECIPP), the North American Federation of Foot and Ankle Societies (NAFFAS), and the Southern Federation of Foot and Ankle Society. Since 2005, IFFAS has organized worldwide conferences every three years, starting in Naples, Italy. The 2020 conference in Chile was postponed to 2022 due to COVID-19 pandemic and became biennial with the founding of the Southern Federation. Consequently, the conference is set to take place in Seoul in 2024. IFFAS 2024 was the first global foot and ankle conference held post-pandemic and significant as the first IFFAS event in Asia since the 2011 conference was canceled because of the Great East Japan Earthquake. Under the theme "Meet the knowledge and beautifulness," the event was hosted in Seoul. The academic program included an AFFAS-hosted event on May 30, followed by the IFFAS-hosted conference from May 31 to June 1, with all events organized by the Korean Foot & Ankle Society (KFAS).

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.11-15
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• 2004

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the usefulness of mortise angle and fibular length measured in radiologic findings in predicting the ankle stability. Materials and Methods: One hundred cases fifty cases were randomly selected volunteers with normal ankle function and the other fifty cases were randomly selected patients whose ankle were treated in our hospital and who were followed for over 1 years with good results. A specific experimental fixture were made to get the even AP and lateral view and objective stress view. Results: The mortise angle and fibular length was not statistically significant to the degree of talar tilt angle under valgus or varus stress and that of displacement under anterior or posterior stress. Conclusion: The mortise angle and fibular length was not the objective predicting factors on the ankle stability. Maintenance of constrained talus in dynamic status is most important factors in determining the ankle stability.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.134-138
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• 2000

Arthrodesis of the ankle joint is inevitable in the cases of severe arthrosis or defective bony structures around ankle joint. There have been many kinds of arthrodesis methods were introduced. In cases with failed athrodesis with previous arthrodesis surgery and neuropathic joints have difficulty to achieve fusion of joint with conventional methods. Authors underwent four cases of ankle fusion with vascularized fibular graft from 1997 in the cases of three failed fusions and one diabetic neuropatic joint. Two of four performed free vascularized fibular transplantation from contralateral side leg with microvascular anastomosis, two of four performed with pedicled fibular transposition to the ankle joint in same side leg. Three of four cases achieved arthrodesis average 9.2 months after surgery, one case was failed due to vascular thrombosis of the anastomosed site in diabetic neuropathic condition. The result of this technique revealed 75%(three of four) success rate and longer bone union time required. However, in these cases had no recommendable options with conventional bone graft and additional ankle joint fusions procedure because of poor bone quality and defect of distal tibia and talus portions. Free vascualrized fibular transfer to the failed athrodesis of ankle joint is one of the effective alternative methods in failed ankle fusion cases, especially the quality of the bone around previous fusion site is poor.