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PloS One 2024The global number of people with diabetes is estimated to reach 643 million by 2030 of whom 19-34% will present with diabetic foot ulceration. Insoles which offload...
The effect of calcaneus and metatarsal head offloading insoles on healthy subjects' gait kinematics, kinetics, asymmetry, and the implications for plantar pressure management: A pilot study.
BACKGROUND
The global number of people with diabetes is estimated to reach 643 million by 2030 of whom 19-34% will present with diabetic foot ulceration. Insoles which offload high-risk ulcerative regions on the foot, by removing insole material, are the main contemporary conservative treatment to maintain mobility and reduce the likelihood of ulceration. However, their effect on the rest of the foot and relationship with key gait propulsive and balance kinematics and kinetics has not been well researched.
PURPOSE
The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of offloading insoles on gait kinematics, kinetics, and plantar pressure throughout the gait cycle.
METHODS
10 healthy subjects were recruited for this experiment to walk in 6 different insole conditions. Subjects walked at three speeds on a treadmill for 10 minutes while both plantar pressure and gait kinematics, kinetics were measured using an in-shoe pressure measurement insole and motion capture system/force plates. Average peak plantar pressure, pressure time integrals, gait kinematics and centre of force were analysed.
RESULTS
The average peak plantar pressure and pressure time integrals changed by -30% (-68% to 3%) and -36% (-75% to -1%) at the region of interest when applying offloading insoles, whereas the heel strike and toe-off velocity changed by 15% (-6% to 32%) and 12% (-2% to 19%) whilst walking at three speeds.
CONCLUSION
The study found that offloading insoles reduced plantar pressure in the region of interest with loading transferred to surrounding regions increasing the risk of higher pressure time integrals in these locations. Heel strike and toe-off velocities were increased under certain configurations of offloading insoles which may explain the higher plantar pressures and supporting the potential of integrating kinematic gait variables within a more optimal therapeutic approach. However, there was inter-individual variability in responses for all variables measured supporting individualised prescription.
Topics: Humans; Gait; Biomechanical Phenomena; Pilot Projects; Male; Pressure; Female; Adult; Foot Orthoses; Calcaneus; Healthy Volunteers; Shoes; Kinetics; Walking; Metatarsus; Foot
PubMed: 38758937
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0303826 -
Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine May 2024To assess the preliminary effectiveness of three-dimensional printed orthoses compared with conventionally custom-fabricated orthoses in persons with chronic hand...
OBJECTIVE
To assess the preliminary effectiveness of three-dimensional printed orthoses compared with conventionally custom-fabricated orthoses in persons with chronic hand conditions on performance of daily activities, hand function, quality of life, satisfaction, and production time and costs.
DESIGN
Interventional feasibility study.
SUBJECTS
Chronic hand orthotic users (n = 21).
METHODS
Participants received a new three-dimensional printed orthosis according to the same type as their current orthosis, which served as the control condition. Primary outcome was performance of daily activities (Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System-Upper Extremity; Michigan Hand Questionnaire). Secondary outcomes were hand function, quality of life, and satisfaction. Furthermore, production time and costs were recorded.
RESULTS
At 4 months' follow-up, no significant differences were found between three-dimensional printed orthoses and participants' existing conventional orthoses on activity performance, hand function, and quality of life. Satisfaction with the three-dimensional printed orthosis was significantly higher and the production time and costs for three-dimensional printed orthoses were significantly lower compared with conventional orthoses. The three-dimensional printed orthosis was preferred by 79% of the participants.
CONCLUSIONS
This feasibility study in chronic hand conditions suggests that three-dimensional printed orthoses are similar to conventional orthoses in terms of activity performance, hand function, and quality of life. Satisfaction, and production time and costs favoured the three-dimensional printed hand orthoses.
Topics: Humans; Feasibility Studies; Male; Female; Orthotic Devices; Middle Aged; Printing, Three-Dimensional; Quality of Life; Activities of Daily Living; Adult; Chronic Disease; Patient Satisfaction; Hand; Aged
PubMed: 38742877
DOI: 10.2340/jrm.v56.39946 -
Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and... May 2024To investigate the effects of bracing on apical vertebral derotation and explore the factors that influence in-brace derotation effects in adolescent idiopathic...
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of bracing on apical vertebral derotation and explore the factors that influence in-brace derotation effects in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients. For patients with AIS, vertebral rotation causes cosmetic appearance abnormalities and acts as an indicator for curve progression. However, there have been few studies investigating the precise derotation effects of bracing for apical vertebra. The application of EOS imaging system enables quantitative evaluation of vertebral rotation in the axial plane in a standing position.
METHODS
There were 82 eligible patients enrolled in current study, who underwent EOS imaging evaluation before and immediately after bracing. The clinical demographic data (age, gender, Risser sign and menstrual status) were recorded. The correlation analyses between derotation effects and key parameters (age, pre-brace Cobb angle, thoracic kyphosis, lumbar lordosis, vertebral rotation, pelvis axial rotation and apical vertebral level) were performed. The in-brace derotation effects stratified by gender, Risser sign, apical vertebral level, menarche status, coronal balance and sagittal balance were also analyzed.
RESULTS
The rotation of apical vertebra was decreased from 8.8 ± 6.0 degrees before bracing to 3.8 ± 3.3 degrees immediately after bracing (p < 0.001), and the derotation rate was 49.2 ± 38.3%. The derotation degrees in brace was significantly correlated with major curve Cobb angle (r = 0.240, p = 0.030), minor curve Cobb angle (r = 0.256, p = 0.020) and total curve Cobb angle (r = 0.266, p = 0.016). Both the pre-brace apical vertebral rotation and apical vertebral level were significantly correlated with derotation effects in brace (p < 0.001). Patients with thoracic major curve showed worse derotation effects than those with lumbar major curve (p < 0.001). In addition, patients with coronal balance showed better in-brace derotation effects than those with coronal decompensation (p = 0.005).
CONCLUSIONS
A satisfactory apical vertebral derotation rate (approximately 50%) could be obtained immediately after bracing in AIS patients. Pre-brace Cobb angle of curve, pre-brace apical vertebral rotation, apical vertebral level and coronal balance exhibited close associations with in-brace derotation effects of apical vertebra.
Topics: Humans; Scoliosis; Female; Adolescent; Male; Braces; Child; Rotation; Thoracic Vertebrae; Lumbar Vertebrae
PubMed: 38735944
DOI: 10.1186/s13018-024-04789-7 -
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024The choice of materials for covering plantar orthoses or wearable insoles is often based on their hardness, breathability, and moisture absorption capacity, although...
INTRODUCTION
The choice of materials for covering plantar orthoses or wearable insoles is often based on their hardness, breathability, and moisture absorption capacity, although more due to professional preference than clear scientific criteria. An analysis of the thermal response to the use of these materials would provide information about their behavior; hence, the objective of this study was to assess the temperature of three lining materials with different characteristics.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The temperature of three materials for covering plantar orthoses was analyzed in a sample of 36 subjects (15 men and 21 women, aged 24.6 ± 8.2 years, mass 67.1 ± 13.6 kg, and height 1.7 ± 0.09 m). Temperature was measured before and after 3 h of use in clinical activities, using a polyethylene foam copolymer (PE), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), and PE-EVA copolymer foam insole with the use of a FLIR E60BX thermal camera.
RESULTS
In the PE copolymer (material 1), temperature increases between 1.07 and 1.85 °C were found after activity, with these differences being statistically significant in all regions of interest ( < 0.001), except for the first toe (0.36 °C, = 0.170). In the EVA foam (material 2) and the expansive foam of the PE-EVA copolymer (material 3), the temperatures were also significantly higher in all analyzed areas ( < 0.001), ranging between 1.49 and 2.73 °C for EVA and 0.58 and 2.16 °C for PE-EVA. The PE copolymer experienced lower overall overheating, and the area of the fifth metatarsal head underwent the greatest temperature increase, regardless of the material analyzed.
CONCLUSIONS
PE foam lining materials, with lower density or an open-cell structure, would be preferred for controlling temperature rise in the lining/footbed interface and providing better thermal comfort for users. The area of the first toe was found to be the least overheated, while the fifth metatarsal head increased the most in temperature. This should be considered in the design of new wearables to avoid excessive temperatures due to the lining materials.
Topics: Humans; Female; Male; Adult; Foot Orthoses; Young Adult; Temperature; Polyvinyls; Polyethylene; Polymers; Materials Testing
PubMed: 38733034
DOI: 10.3390/s24092928 -
Journal of Central Nervous System... 2024After standard care, 55%-75% of patients after stroke show a persistent paresis of the upper limb (UL). Assistive devices are developed to increase the patients' level...
The assistive potential of functional electrical stimulation to support object manipulation in functional upper extremity movements after stroke: A randomized cross-over study.
BACKGROUND
After standard care, 55%-75% of patients after stroke show a persistent paresis of the upper limb (UL). Assistive devices are developed to increase the patients' level of independence in daily life.
OBJECTIVES
To investigate the potential of Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) to assist object manipulation in activities of daily life.
DESIGN
Seventeen patients after stroke were tested and analyzed in a randomized cross-over design.
METHODS
Functional grasping was assessed by means of the Action Research Arm Test (ARAT) and the modified Box and Block Test (mBBT), in one session with and another without FES assistance. The order of sessions was randomized. Patients' motivation was assessed after each session. Task performance and motivation were compared between conditions using the Wilcoxon test and subgroup analyses were performed for impairment severity by distribution-based mixed-factor analyses.
RESULTS
When analyzing the total ARAT, FES did not effectively assist the overall performance ( = .142), but did assist the performance of objects of the Grasp category ( = .020). Impairment severity showed an interaction with the orthotic effect ( = .012), as severely impaired patients profited from FES assistance and mild-moderately impaired did not. When focusing on the more functional items of the ARAT (i.e., excluding scores from thumb-middle and thumb-ring finger combinations), there was a significant orthotic effect of FES on task performance ( = .023). Further, there was an orthotic effect for the number of transported blocks in the mBBT ( = .033), exclusively prominent in the group of severely impaired patients. Functional Electrical Stimulation did not increase the patients' motivation ( = .959), which was high after both conditions.
CONCLUSION
Functional Electrical Stimulation has the potential to support object manipulation, but is dependent on impairment severity and object type. To observe a consistent orthotic effect, features of the stimulator should be further developed to generate appropriate grasps and forces across subjects and objects.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
The trial was registered with the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00025889).
PubMed: 38715966
DOI: 10.1177/11795735241247812 -
Gait & Posture Jun 2024People with plantar flexor weakness generate less ankle push-off work during walking, resulting in inefficient proximal joint compensations. To increase push-off work,...
BACKGROUND
People with plantar flexor weakness generate less ankle push-off work during walking, resulting in inefficient proximal joint compensations. To increase push-off work, spring-like ankle foot orthoses (AFOs) can be provided. However, whether and in which patients AFOs increase push-off work and reduce compensatory hip and knee work is unknown.
METHODS
In 18 people with bilateral plantar flexor weakness, we performed a 3D gait analysis at comfortable walking speed with shoes-only and with AFOs of which the stiffness was optimized. To account for walking speed differences between conditions, we compared relative joint work of the hip, knee and ankle joint. The relationships between relative work generated with shoes-only and changes in joint work with AFO were tested with Pearson correlations.
RESULTS
No differences in relative ankle, knee and hip work over the gait cycle were found between shoes-only and AFO (p>0.499). Percentage of total ankle work generated during pre-swing increased with the AFO (AFO: 85.3±9.1% vs Shoes: 72.4±27.1%, p=0.026). At the hip, the AFO reduced relative work in pre-swing (AFO: 31.9±7.4% vs Shoes: 34.1±10.4%, p=0.038) and increased in loading response (AFO: 18.0±11.0% vs Shoes: 11.9±9.8%, p=0.022). Ankle work with shoes-only was inversely correlated with an increase in ankle work with AFO (r=-0.839, p<0.001) and this increase correlated with reduction in hip work with AFO (r=-0.650, p=0.004).
DISCUSSION
Although stiffness-optimized AFOs did not alter the work distribution across the ankle, knee and hip joint compared to shoes-only walking, relative more ankle work was generated during push-off, causing a shift in hip work from pre-swing to loading response. Furthermore, larger ankle push-off deficits when walking with shoes-only were related with an increase in ankle work with AFO and reduction in compensatory hip work, indicating that more severely affected individuals benefit more from the energy storing-and-releasing capacity of AFOs.
Topics: Humans; Foot Orthoses; Male; Female; Ankle Joint; Middle Aged; Adult; Biomechanical Phenomena; Hip Joint; Gait Analysis; Knee Joint; Neuromuscular Diseases; Gait; Shoes; Aged; Gait Disorders, Neurologic
PubMed: 38703445
DOI: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2024.04.034 -
Gait & Posture Jun 2024Hallux valgus is a common condition where the subluxation of the first metatarsophalangeal joint and lateral deviation of the hallux at the interphalangeal joint creates...
BACKGROUND
Hallux valgus is a common condition where the subluxation of the first metatarsophalangeal joint and lateral deviation of the hallux at the interphalangeal joint creates difficulty with footwear fit. Footwear and foot orthoses are commonly prescribed nonsurgical treatments for hallux valgus.
RESEARCH QUESTION
Do extra-width footwear and foot orthoses influence peak pressure at the medial aspect of the metatarsophalangeal and interphalangeal joints in women with hallux valgus?
METHODS
Community-dwelling women with symptomatic hallux valgus underwent gait testing when wearing their own shoes and when wearing extra-width footwear fitted with three-quarter length, arch-contouring prefabricated foot orthoses. Peak pressure (kPa) on the medial aspect of the metatarsophalangeal and medial interphalangeal joints and on the plantar surface of the foot (hallux, lesser toes, metatarsophalangeal joint 1, metatarsophalangeal joints 2-5, midfoot and heel) were measured using the novel pedar®-X system with the pedar® pad and pedar® insole, respectively (Novel, GmbH, Munich, Germany). Paired samples t-tests were used to calculate the differences between the two conditions, and the magnitude of observed differences was calculated using Cohen's d.
RESULTS
We tested 28 participants (aged 44-80 years, mean 60.7, standard deviation 10.7). Compared to their own footwear, wearing the intervention footwear and orthoses was associated with a statistically significant decrease in pressure on the medial aspect of the metatarsophalangeal joint (58.3 ± 32.8 versus 42.6 ± 32.8, p=0.026, d=0.49), increased pressure under the midfoot (70.7 ± 25.7 versus 78.7 ± 23.6, p=0.029, d=0.33) and decreased pressure underneath the heel (137.3 ± 39.0 versus 121.3 ± 34.8, p=0.019, d=0.45).
SIGNIFICANCE
The intervention footwear and orthoses significantly decreased peak pressure on the medial aspect of the first metatarsophalangeal joint but had no significant effect on the interphalangeal joint. Further studies are required to determine whether these changes are associated with improvements in symptoms associated with hallux valgus.
Topics: Humans; Female; Shoes; Foot Orthoses; Metatarsophalangeal Joint; Middle Aged; Hallux Valgus; Pressure; Aged; Adult
PubMed: 38703444
DOI: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2024.04.021 -
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders May 2024To compare the treatment effectiveness of digitized and 3D-printed repositioning splints with that of conventional repositioning splints in the treatment of anterior... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
OBJECTIVE
To compare the treatment effectiveness of digitized and 3D-printed repositioning splints with that of conventional repositioning splints in the treatment of anterior displacement of the temporomandibular joint disc.
METHODS
This retrospective study included 96 patients with disc displacement of the anterior temporomandibular joint. They were treated with either digitally designed and 3D-printed repositioning splints or traditional splints and followed up for at least six months. Changes in signs and symptoms such as pain and mouth opening before and after treatment were recorded to evaluate treatment outcomes.
RESULTS
During the first month of treatment, both the digitally designed and 3D-printed repositioning splint groups (Group B) and the traditional repositioning splint group (Group A) showed significant increases in mouth opening, with increases of 4.93 ± 3.06 mm and 4.07 ± 4.69 mm, respectively, and there was no significant difference between the two groups. Both groups had a significant reduction in visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores, with Group B showing a greater reduction of 1.946 ± 1.113 compared to 1.488 ± 0.978 in Group A (P < 0.05). By the sixth month, Group B's mouth opening further improved to 38.65 ± 3.22 mm (P < 0.05), while Group A's mouth opening did not significantly improve. Regarding pain, Group A's VAS score decreased by 0.463 ± 0.778 after one month, and Group B's score decreased by 0.455 ± 0.715; both groups showed significant reductions, but there was no significant difference between the two groups.
CONCLUSION
Compared with traditional repositioning splints, digitally designed and 3D-printed repositioning splints are more effective at reducing patient pain and improving mouth opening. 3D-printed repositioning splints are an effective treatment method for temporomandibular joint disc displacement and have significant potential for widespread clinical application.
Topics: Humans; Printing, Three-Dimensional; Male; Retrospective Studies; Female; Adult; Temporomandibular Joint Disc; Middle Aged; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders; Treatment Outcome; Joint Dislocations; Occlusal Splints; Young Adult; Pain Measurement; Range of Motion, Articular; Splints
PubMed: 38702659
DOI: 10.1186/s12891-024-07477-z -
Scientific Reports May 2024Serial casting as one of the applications to treat early-onset scoliosis has been reported efficiently to improve deformity, but no report has focused on the efficacy of...
Serial casting as one of the applications to treat early-onset scoliosis has been reported efficiently to improve deformity, but no report has focused on the efficacy of braces in the treatment of congenital early-onset scoliosis and comparison with progressive idiopathic early-onset scoliosis. Patients with progressive EOS treated with braces in our institution with a minimum of 4 years follow-up were reviewed. Two groups according to the etiological diagnosis were analyzed and compared: the congenital scoliosis (CS) group and idiopathic scoliosis (IS) group. The success cases and the failure cases were also compared. 27 patients with an average main Cobb angle of 38.19° (20-55) underwent initial bracing at an average age of 55.7 months (24-108), the average follow-up time was 76.19 months (49-117). In IS group the main Cobb angle was corrected to 18.69 ± 12.06° (48.61%) following the first bracing; the final Cobb angle was 23.08 ± 22.15°(38.76%) after brace removal. In CS group the main Cobb angle was corrected to 33.93 ± 10.31°(17.1%) following the first bracing and 37.93 ± 14.74°(3.53%) after brace removal. Both coronal chest width and T1-T12 height increased dramatically from pre-bracing to the last follow-up. Patients diagnosed as IS tended to have a better result in main Cobb angle correction than that of CS (P = 0.049). By the time of last follow-up, 8 patients had undergone surgery, and the operation time was postponed by 68.88 ± 26.43 months. For patients with progressive early-onset scoliosis, bracing is an efficient nonsurgical alternative to casting, and some of them can be cured; if not, eventual surgical intervention can be delayed for a period of time without restrictions on the thoracic cavity.
Topics: Humans; Scoliosis; Braces; Female; Male; Child; Child, Preschool; Treatment Outcome; Disease Progression; Age of Onset; Follow-Up Studies; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 38702519
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-61030-5 -
PloS One 2024Ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) are commonly used to overcome mobility limitations related to lower limb musculoskeletal injury. Despite a multitude of AFOs to choose from,...
BACKGROUND
Ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) are commonly used to overcome mobility limitations related to lower limb musculoskeletal injury. Despite a multitude of AFOs to choose from, there is scant evidence to guide AFO prescription and limited opportunities for AFO users to provide experiential input during the process. To address these limitations in the current prescription process, this study evaluates a novel, user-centered and personalized 'test-drive' strategy using a robotic exoskeleton ('AFO emulator') to emulate commercial AFO mechanical properties (i.e., stiffness). The study will determine if brief, in-lab trials (with emulated or actual AFOs) can predict longer term preference, satisfaction, and mobility outcomes after community trials (with the actual AFOs). Secondarily, it will compare the in-lab experience of walking between actual vs. emulated AFOs.
METHODS AND ANALYSIS
In this participant-blinded, randomized crossover study we will recruit up to fifty-eight individuals with lower limb musculoskeletal injuries who currently use an AFO. Participants will walk on a treadmill with three actual AFOs and corresponding emulated AFOs for the "in-lab" assessments. For the community trial assessment, participants will wear each of the actual AFOs for a two-week period during activities of daily living. Performance-based and user-reported measures of preference and mobility will be compared between short- and long-term trials (i.e., in-lab vs. two-week community trials), and between in-lab trials (emulated vs. actual AFOs).
TRIAL REGISTRATION
The study was prospectively registered at www.clininicaltrials.gov (Clinical Trials Study ID: NCT06113159). Date: November 1st 2023. https://classic.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT06113159.
Topics: Adult; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Ankle; Cross-Over Studies; Exoskeleton Device; Foot Orthoses; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Walking
PubMed: 38696428
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0302389