• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.45-51
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• 2011

Purpose: To determine the correct measurement methods of the ankle joint complex range of motion for measuring the neutral position and evaluate the rater reliability. In addition, the impact of training on the rater reliability was also assessed. Methods: The subjects were eleven healthy women, who were evaluated by two physical therapists and one physical therapist recorded the results of the study. Standard goniometer was used as the measurement tool. The ankle and subtalar joint neutral position and the active range of motion of the ankle and subtalar joint were measured. Intra-rater reliability and inter-rater reliability measures were analyzed with intraclass correlation coefficients. Results: Intra-rater reliability and inter-rater reliability ranged from high to medium for the neutral position of the ankle joint complex. Intra-rater reliability for dorsiflexion and plantarflexion measurements was medium, while the inter-rater reliability was high. The range of motion of the subtalar joint was measured, and the intra-rater reliability and inter-rater reliability were low and medium, respectively Also, the intra-rater reliability was increased with formal training of the measurement techniques. Intra-rater reliability was reduced in case the raters had not undertaken the training. Conclusion: In summary, the results obtained with the measurement tools and joint measurement of position, indicate the consistency of repeated measurements made by the same observers. Under the same circumstances along with repetition of the same measurement technique during training caused an increase in the rater reliability of formally trained raters.

• 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.7 no.2
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• pp.269-273
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• 2003

Although osteochondromas are common lesions, osteochondroma accompanying diastasis of the ankle joint in a child or adult is an uncommon condition. No previous cases of distal tibiofibular diastasis caused by an osteochondroma in adult have been reported except in child. The authurs experienced a case of mild distal tibiofibular diastasis secondary to an osteochondroma in a 37-year-old female presented with right ankle pain. Osteochondroma of the distal tibiofibular joint were detected on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). She was pain-free 4 weeks after excision of the osteochondroma. The patient has remained asymptomatic for 1 years postoperatively. Early excision obviates the need for complex reconstructive surgery to correct ankle deformity later.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.7-14
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• 2018

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to confirm changes in the muscle activity of the quadriceps femoris with changes in the ankle and hip joint angles during the transition from sitting to standing. Method : Twenty-five healthy 20-30-year-old women participated in the study. The subjects performed standing-up movements in four positions: standard posture (hip = $90^{\circ}$/ankle = $0^{\circ}$); posture on a decline board (hip > $90^{\circ}$/ankle < $0^{\circ}$), posture on a footboard (hip > $90^{\circ}$/ankle = $0^{\circ}$); and posture on a decline board with a higher chair (hip = $90^{\circ}$/ankle < $0^{\circ}$). Then, the muscle activities of the rectus femoris, vastus medialis and vastus lateralis were measured using surface electromyography. Result : The muscle activities of the rectus femoris, vastus medialis and vastus lateralis in the footboard application were statistically significantly higher than in the application of the decline board with a higher chair. Conclusion : This study confirms that the flexion of the hip joint has a greater effect than the plantar flexion of the ankle joint on the muscle activity of the quadriceps during a sit-to-stand movement.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.153-162
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• 2019

PURPOSE: This study compared ankle joint exercise and thigh exercise on the isometric strength of the lower limb and balance ability. METHODS: Twenty-seven subjects were divided into ankle joint exercise (AEG, n=9), tight exercise (TEG, n=9), and control group (CON, n=9). AEG and TEG performed ankle joint and tight exercises three times a week for four weeks. The following were measured before and four weeks after each exercise: isometric strength at knee flexion and extension of the lower limb; isometric strength at ankle plantar flexion and dorsiflexion of the lower limb; static balance of trace length and C90 area; and the dynamic forward, backward, leftward, and rightward balance for each region. RESULTS: The results showed that the isometric strength of plantar flexion (p<.05) was increased significantly in AEG compared to those in TEG and CON. The dynamic leftward (p<.05) and rightward balance (p<.05) were increased significantly in both AEG and TEG compared to that in CON. On the other hand, the static balance of the trace length and C90 area, isometric strength of ankle dorsiflexion, knee flexion and extension of the lower limb, and dynamic forward and backward balance did not show significant differences between the groups. CONCLUSION: Ankle joint exercise improves the isometric strength of plantar flexion compared to tight exercise.

• Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
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• v.28 no.11
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• pp.161-168
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• 2023

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship with the Y-Balance Test, which evaluates dynamic balance ability according to the ankle joint dorsiflexion range of motion in a non-weight bearing posture. This study involved 27 male soccer players who regularly participate in the K3 League with more than 10 years of soccer experience. The Pearson Rank Correlation Coefficient was used to verify the relationship between ankle joint dorsiflexion and dynamic balance ability. The results of this study showed significant differences in PLRD (P<.05) and CS (P<.01) in the HADR group. A significant correlation between ankle joint dorsi-flexion range of motion and severity was found only in PMRD, PLRD, and CS. Therefore, a decrease in ankle joint dorsi-flexion is associated with a decrease in balance ability. In order to prevent injuries in soccer players, it is believed that regular evaluation of ankle joint range of motion as well as training to improve knee and hip joint strength and proprioception are necessary.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2021

Objective: Joint mobilization for arthrokinematics altered by the positional fault of chronic ankle instability (CAI) is an effective intervention for stabilization. In this study, we compared the effects of ankle dorsi flexion range of motion (DFROM) and dynamic balance ability (DBA) in CAI patients via passive joint mobilization (PJM), a method traditionally performed in previous studies, and active joint mobilization (AJM), a method that can have a greater effect on cortical excitability with spontaneous movements. Design: Single-blind two-arm randomized controlled trial Methods: A total of 30 participants were registered: 15 each to the PJM and AJM groups. Each participant received a total of 10 intervention sessions, 10 minutes per session, 5 times a week for 2 weeks. PJM used Maitland's mobilization method to apply joint mobilization with talus in the posterior direction and AJM used an angular joint motion to induce patient's voluntary motion of medial malleolus anterior gliding and lateral malleolus posterior gliding, respectively. DFROM of the ankle was measured by using tape and DBA was evaluated by using the balance system. Results: Significant improvement was observed after intervention in both the PJM and AJM groups except for the DBA-anterior and DBA-right variables of the PJM group. There were statistically significant differences between the AJM and PJM groups in the DFROM, DBA-anterior, DBA-posterior, and DBA-right variables. Conclusions: The overall improvement of DFROM and DBA was found to be more effective in joint mobilization including voluntary movement. When it is accompanied by voluntary movement, it further affects the neuromuscular system of the ankle.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.1-10
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• 2015

The common features of walking in patients with stroke include decreased gait velocity and increased asymmetrical gait pattern. The purpose of this study was to identify important factors related to impairments in gait velocity and asymmetry in chronic stroke patients. The subjects were 30 independently ambulating subjects with chronic stroke. The subjects' impairments were examined, including the isokinetic peak torque of knee extensors, knee flexors, ankle plantarflexors, and ankle dorsiflexors. Passive and active ranges of motion (ROM) of the ankle joint, ankle plantarflexor spasticity, joint position senses of the knee and ankle joint, and balance were examined together. In addition, gait velocity and temporal and spatial asymmetry were evaluated with subjects walking at their comfortable speed. Pearson correlations and multiple regressions were used to measure the relationships between impairments and gait speed and impairments and asymmetry. Regression analyses revealed that ankle passive ROM and peak torque of knee flexors were important factors for gait velocity ($R^2=.41$), while ankle passive ROM was the most important determinant for temporal asymmetry ($R^2=.35$). In addition, knee extensor peak torque was the most significant factor for gait spatial asymmetry ($R^2=.17$). Limitation in ankle passive ROM and weakness of the knee flexor were major contributors to slow gait velocity. Moreover, limited passive ROM in the ankle influenced the level of temporal gait asymmetry in chronic stroke patients. Our findings suggest that stroke rehabilitation programs aiming to improve gait velocity and temporal asymmetry should include stretching exercise for the ankle joint.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2009

Purpose: The purposes of this study were to establish the concurrent validity of the universal goniometer and electronic inclinometer for ankle joint of motion, and to determine the inter-tester and the intra-tester reliability of these two instruments. Methods: Subjects were instructed 25 healthy subjects. Ankle range of motion was measured on two separate occasions 2 or 3 days by two physical therapists. Ankle dorsiflexion and plantarflexion was by using an universal goniometer and an electronic inclinometer. Results: The Pearson product-moment correlation between the two instruments was 0.78~0.80. The ICCs for inter-tester reliability ranged from 0.63 to 0.73 for universal goniometer and ranged from 0.81 to 0.88 for electric inclinometer. The ICCs for intra-tester reliability showed a wide variation(ICC=0.61 to 0.86). Conclusion: These findings indicate that the two instruments are reliable instruments for measuring ankle joint range of motion. The results also indicate that the two instruments can be used interchangeably for measuring ankle motions.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.50-53
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• 2021

Ankle arthrodesis has been used frequently for end-stage ankle arthritis that does not respond to conservative treatment. On the other hand, there are concerns regarding the degenerative changes to the adjacent joint, such as the subtalar or talonavicular joint, due to the altered biomechanics after the loss of ankle motion. Because the arthrodesis for these midtarsal joints may overload stress on another contiguous joint, a salvage procedure should be considered rather than joint sacrificing. This paper reports a case of talonavicular arthritis after malunited ankle arthrodesis that was treated with interpositional arthroplasty using the tibialis anterior tendon.