• Design Convergence Study
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.157-169
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• 2015

In this study, three axillary crutches(Mobilegs, KM crutch, Pro In-motion) were tested with 12 healthy male subjects by measuring the EMG activity of the latissimus dorsi and gastrocnemius and the user-perceived levels focusing on the comfort and ease of use. The result showed that the EMG activity of the gastrocnemius was significantly reduced during ambulation using Mobilegs and Pro In-motion compared with the ambulation using KM crutch, a conventional crutch. However, no statistically significant difference was found for EMG activity of the latissimus dorsi. Subjects perceived the Mobilegs to be more comfortable and easy to use than the other crutches. Theses result may delivered mostly from the characteristics of spring-loaded axillary pad and ergonomic crutch handle. The results indicate that ambulation using the spring-loaded crutch is much easy with asking less exertion at gastrocnemius. In addition, the characteristics of crutch design, such as embedded spring, makes muscles to consume less energy. When the reasonable structure and form of the axillary pad and crutch handle are applied herein, the ambulation using the crutches are perceived to comfort.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.243-253
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• 1997

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of systolic blood pressure, heart rate and myocardial oxygen consumption on 3-point nonweight bearing ambulation with axillary wooden crutch according to age. The subjects were fifty healty volunteers(22 male, 28 female), ages from 20 to 69(mean age of 43.8 years) with no history of cardiovascular or respiratory disease, diabetes mellitus, arthritis and orthopedic disorder within the past three years. This study was carried out from May 10 to August 10, 1996. The data were analyzed by percentage, mean and standard deviation and ANOVA. The results were as follows : 1. In systolic blood pressure(SBP), there was no significantly change between before walk and after 20 m in crutch walking with age, however, there did differ significantly after 40 m and 60 m in crutch walking(p<0.01, p<0.001). 2. In heat rate(HR), there was no significantly change between before walk and after 20 m, 40 m in crutch walking with age, however, there did differ significantly after 60 m in crutch walking(p<0.05). 3. In myocardial oxygen consumption($MVO_{2}$), there was no significantly change between before walk and after 20m in crutch walking with age, however, there did differ significantly after 40 m and 60 m in crutch walking(p<0.01, p<0.001). These result showed that cardiovascular system had a great effect on the olderly when 3-point nonweight bearing ambulation with axillary wooden crutch. Therefore, when train for axillary crutch in the olderly, we needed suitably basis of walking distance.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.100-104
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• 2018

Purpose: An axillary crutch is the most commonly used assistive device in foot and ankle patients who require nonweightbearing. On the other hand, its use frequently induces axillary or wrist pain and critical neurovascular injuries have been reported in several studies. This study compared the clinical outcomes of patients using the knee walker and axillary crutch. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed comparing the utility of a knee walker and axillary crutch as a nonweightbearing ambulatory aid for 62 foot and ankle patients treated between November 2016 and March 2018. A comparative study of the two orthosis could be performed because all the patients temporarily used an axillary crutch before or after the use of a knee walker. A demographic study and comparative analysis based on the visual analogue scale (VAS) satisfaction score (0~100), complications, and fall down history were evaluated. Furthermore, under the assumption of having retreatment, their preference of orthosis between the knee walker and axillary crutch was investigated. Results: The mean age of the patients was 36.5 and the mean duration of ambulation with a knee walker and axillary crutch were 5.2 and 2.4 weeks. The VAS satisfaction score of the knee walker and crutch was 88.8 and 27.5, respectively (p<0.05). The most frequent complications of the knee walker and crutch were ipsilateral knee pain (6 cases) and axillary or wrist pain (56 cases), respectively. No case of falling down occurred during knee walker ambulation, but there were two cases of crutch ambulation. Fifty-eight patients (93.5%) preferred the knee walker and four patients (6.5%) preferred a crutch. Conclusion: Compared to the axillary crutch, the knee walker afforded lower complication and higher satisfaction. Most patients preferred the knee walker to a crutch. Therefore, the knee walker is an efficient and safe orthosis for foot and ankle patients who require nonweightbearing.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.93-99
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• 2008

Purpose: To evaluate the result of the early exercise and rehabilitation after limited posterior operative treatment of the calcaneal fractures. Materials and Methods: Between May 2005 and December 2007, 43 cases with intraarticular calcaneal fractures were treated by open reduction with K-wires and Steinmann pins. Mean age and mean follow-up period were 42.5 years old and 15 months. All patients were treated with the same postoperative protocol, the early exercise of subtalar joint without short leg splint and cast was began after postoperative 1 day, non-weight bearing crutch ambulation did after 2 weeks, partial-weight bearing crutch ambulation did after 6 weeks, without crutch ambulation did after 10 weeks. The fractures was classified by Essex-Lopresti and Sanders classification using radiographs and the functional outcomes were evaluated by circle draw exercise, AOFAS score. Results: By Essex-Lopresti classification, the tongue type was 6 cases (14%), the joint depression type was 15 cases (35%), the combined type was 22 cases (51%). By Sanders classification, type II were 10 cases (23%), type III were 15 cases (58%), and type IV were 8 cases (19%). By AOFAS functional evaluation, the mean preoperative scores were 70.3 and 70.5 respectively, mean postoperative scores were 83.7 and 86.9 respectively. There were satisfactory results in 40 cases but 3 cases were unsatisfactory including on case of lateral impingement and 2 cases of traumatic arthritis of subtalar joint. Conclusion: We obtained satisfactory result of the early exercise of subtalar joint without short leg splint and cast and rehabilitation after limited posterior operative treatment of the calcaneal fractures.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.61-67
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• 1988

The treatment of tibial shaft fracture has become one of the most controversial subjects in orthopedic surgery. Comminuted, segmental and rotationally unstable fractures or bone defect at fracture site have problems of the fixation. The interlocking nail solve these problems. We have experienced 8 cases of the tibial shaft fractures treated with interlocking nail from 1986 to 1988. Authors analysed these cases and our own clinical study. The results were as follows. 1. The average bone union rate was about 15 weeks. 2. The interval between operation and crutch walking was 4:3 weeks. 3. The merits of this operation were the short hospitalization and early adaptation of social activity. 4. The advantage is be able to do early ambulation without following muscular atrophy or joint stiffness. 5. The results were assessed on clinical examination and radiographic appearance by Hamza et al. An excellent results were 7 cases and good result was 1 case.