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The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Jun 2011Ultrasound is used in the treatment of a wide variety of musculoskeletal disorders, which include acute ankle sprains. This is an update of a Cochrane review first... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Ultrasound is used in the treatment of a wide variety of musculoskeletal disorders, which include acute ankle sprains. This is an update of a Cochrane review first published in 1999, and previously updated in 2004.
OBJECTIVES
To evaluate the effects of ultrasound therapy in the treatment of acute ankle sprains.
SEARCH STRATEGY
We searched the Cochrane Bone, Joint and Muscle Trauma Group Specialised Register (September 2010), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (The Cochrane Library 2010, Issue 3), MEDLINE (1966 to September 2010), EMBASE (1983 to September 2010), CINAHL (1982 to 2004), and PEDro - the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (accessed 01/06/09). We also searched the Cochrane Rehabilitation and Related Therapies Field database, reference lists of articles, and contacted colleagues.The WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform was searched for ongoing trials.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Randomised or quasi-randomised trials were included if the following conditions were met: at least one study group was treated with therapeutic ultrasound; participants had acute lateral ankle sprains; and outcome measures included general improvement, pain, swelling, functional disability, or range of motion.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two authors independently performed study selection, and assessed the risk of bias and extracted data. Risk ratios and risk differences together with 95% confidence intervals were calculated for dichotomous outcomes and mean differences together with 95% confidence intervals for continuous outcome measures. Limited pooling of data was undertaken where there was clinical homogeneity in terms of participants, treatments, outcomes, and follow-up time points.
MAIN RESULTS
Six trials were included, involving 606 participants. Five trials included comparisons of ultrasound therapy with sham ultrasound; and three trials included single comparisons of ultrasound with three other treatments. The assessment of risk of bias was hampered by poor reporting of trial methods and results. None of the five placebo-controlled trials (sham ultrasound) demonstrated statistically significant differences between true and sham ultrasound therapy for any outcome measure at one to four weeks of follow-up. The pooled risk ratio for general improvement at one week was 1.04 (random-effects model, 95% confidence interval 0.92 to 1.17) for active versus sham ultrasound. The differences between intervention groups were generally small, between zero and six per cent, for most dichotomous outcomes.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
The evidence from the five small placebo-controlled trials included in this review does not support the use of ultrasound in the treatment of acute ankle sprains. The potential treatment effects of ultrasound appear to be generally small and of probably of limited clinical importance, especially in the context of the usually short-term recovery period for these injuries. However, the available evidence is insufficient to rule out the possibility that there is an optimal dosage schedule for ultrasound therapy that may be of benefit.
Topics: Acute Disease; Ankle Injuries; Humans; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Sprains and Strains; Ultrasonic Therapy
PubMed: 21678332
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD001250.pub2 -
Cureus Jun 2021Syndesmotic injuries can occur with ankle fractures and can lead to destabilization of the ankle joint. As a result, it usually requires a transyndesmotic screw... (Review)
Review
Syndesmotic injuries can occur with ankle fractures and can lead to destabilization of the ankle joint. As a result, it usually requires a transyndesmotic screw insertion to stabilize it. Currently, there is no consensus on the type, amount and diameter of screws used, the number of cortices needed to be engaged, the recommended time to weight-bearing, and whether the screw should be removed in these types of injuries. The aim of this study is to evaluate the evidence comparing the removal and non-removal of syndesmotic screws in open and closed ankle fractures that are associated with unstable syndesmosis in terms of functional, clinical, and radiological evidence. The study also looked at the evidence behind broken screw effects. The literature search was conducted on March 16, 2021, using the Ovid Medline and Embase databases. The literature was eligible if it aimed to compare syndesmotic screw removal and retention in ankle fractures. One study found that those with a broken screw had a better clinical outcome than those with an intact screw. The studies were excluded if they were biomechanical studies, case reports, or were relevant but had no adequate English translation. Initially, 53 studies were included but after scanning for eligibility, 11 were identified (including those added from references). Nine were cohort studies, seven of which did not find any difference in functional outcome between routine removal and retention of the syndesmotic screw. Two studies found there were better clinical outcomes in the broken screw group. Another study found that there were slightly worse functional outcomes in patients with intact screws as compared with those with broken, loosened, or removed screws. Two studies were randomized control studies that no significant functional outcomes between removed and intact syndesmotic screws. However, the majority of these studies had a high risk of bias. Overall, the current literature provides no evidence to support routine removal of syndesmotic screws. Keeping in mind the clear complications and financial burden, syndesmotic screw removal should not be performed unless there is a clear indication. Furthermore, removal in the clinic, with the use of prophylactic antibiotics should be considered if indicated in cases with pain or loss of function. Further research in a structured randomized controlled trial (RCT) to examine if there is any difference in short- or long-term outcomes between removed, intact, loose, or broken syndesmotic screws might be beneficial. A multinational protocol for randomized control trials (RODEO-trial) is an example of such a study to determine the usefulness of on-demand and routine removal of screws.
PubMed: 34104613
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.15435 -
Cureus Oct 2023Robotic-assisted surgery is a computer-controlled technique that may improve the accuracy and outcomes of unicompartmental total knee arthroplasty (TKA), a partial knee... (Review)
Review
Robotic-assisted surgery is a computer-controlled technique that may improve the accuracy and outcomes of unicompartmental total knee arthroplasty (TKA), a partial knee replacement surgery. The purpose of a meta-analysis about robotic-assisted versus conventional surgery for unicompartmental TKA is to compare the effectiveness of these two methods based on the current evidence. Our meta-analysis can help inform clinical decisions and guidelines for surgeons and patients who are considering unicompartmental TKA as a treatment option. We searched four online databases for studies that compared the two methods until March 2023. We used RevMan software to combine the data from the studies. We calculated the mean difference (MD) and the 95% confidence interval (CI) for each outcome, which are statistical measures of the difference and the uncertainty between the two methods. We included 16 studies in our analysis. We found that robotic-assisted surgery had a better hip-knee-ankle angle, which is a measure of how well the knee is aligned, than conventional surgery (MD = 0.86, 95% CI = 0.16-1.56). We also found that robotic-assisted surgery had a better Oxford Knee score, which is a measure of how well the knee functions, than conventional surgery (MD = 3.03, 95% CI = 0.96-5.110). This study compared the results of conventional and robotic-assisted unicompartmental knee arthroplasty in 12 studies. We concluded that robotic-assisted surgery may have some benefits over conventional surgery in terms of alignment and function of the knee. However, we did not find any significant difference between the two methods in terms of other outcomes, such as pain, range of motion, health status, and joint awareness. Therefore, we suggest that more research is needed to confirm these results and evaluate the long-term effects and cost-effectiveness of robotic-assisted surgery.
PubMed: 37869054
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.46681 -
Arthritis Care & Research Mar 2012To identify and critically appraise the evidence for the effectiveness of custom orthoses for the foot and ankle in rheumatoid arthritis. (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
To identify and critically appraise the evidence for the effectiveness of custom orthoses for the foot and ankle in rheumatoid arthritis.
METHODS
Studies were identified in appropriate electronic databases (from 1950 to March 2011). The search term "rheumatoid arthritis" with "foot" and "ankle" and related terms were used in conjunction with "orthoses" and synonyms. Included studies were quantitative longitudinal studies and included randomized controlled trials (RCTs), case-control trials, cohort studies, and case series studies. All outcome measures were investigated. Quality assessment was conducted using the Cochrane Collaboration criteria with additional criteria for sample population representativeness, quality of statistical analysis, and compliant intervention use and presence of cointerventions. Meta-analyses were conducted for outcome domains with multiple RCTs. Qualitative data synthesis was conducted for the remaining outcome domains. Levels of evidence were then assigned to each outcome measure.
RESULTS
The inclusion criteria were met by 17 studies. Two studies had high quality for internal validity and 3 studies had high quality for external validity. No study had high quality for both internal and external validity. Six outcome domains were identified. There was weak evidence for custom orthoses reducing pain and forefoot plantar pressures. Evidence was inconclusive for foot function, walking speed, gait parameters, and reducing hallux abductovalgus angle progression.
CONCLUSION
Custom orthoses may be beneficial in reducing pain and elevated forefoot plantar pressures in the rheumatoid foot and ankle. However, more definitive research is needed in this area.
Topics: Ankle Joint; Arthritis, Rheumatoid; Foot; Humans; Orthotic Devices; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 22162279
DOI: 10.1002/acr.21559 -
The Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery :... 2022Recognition of metatarsophalangeal joint plantar plate injuries has improved over time as the condition has become more widely understood and identified. With the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Recognition of metatarsophalangeal joint plantar plate injuries has improved over time as the condition has become more widely understood and identified. With the diagnosis of a plantar plate injury as a subset of metatarsalgia becoming more common place, there are multiple surgical options that have been utilized to address the condition. Direct repair of the plantar plate has emerged as the treatment of choice for foot surgeons with a tendency to favor a direct dorsal approach for the repair. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis using preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis guidelines, to determine the magnitude of change that can be expected in visual analog scale pain and American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society scores postoperatively. A total of 12 studies involving 537 plantar plate tears were included who underwent direct repair of the plantar plate through either a dorsal (10 articles) or plantar approach (2 articles). Summary estimates were calculated which revealed improvement in visual analog scale pain (pooled mean change of -5.01 [95%CI -5.36, -4.66] pre-to postoperative) and improvement in American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society scores (pooled postoperative mean improvement 40.44 [95%CI 37.90, 42.97]) of patients within the included studies. Random effects models were used for summary estimates. I statistic was used to assess for heterogeneity. We concluded there is a predictable level of improvement in pain and function in patients undergoing a direct dorsal approach plantar plate repair with follow-up out to 2 years.
Topics: Humans; Joint Instability; Metatarsalgia; Metatarsophalangeal Joint; Osteotomy; Plantar Plate
PubMed: 35283034
DOI: 10.1053/j.jfas.2022.02.002 -
Sports Health Nov 2010Lateral ankle sprains can manifest into chronic mechanical joint laxity when not treated effectively. Joint laxity is often measured through the use of manual stress...
CONTEXT
Lateral ankle sprains can manifest into chronic mechanical joint laxity when not treated effectively. Joint laxity is often measured through the use of manual stress tests, stress radiography, and instrumented ankle arthrometers.
PURPOSE
To systematically review the literature to establish the influence of chronic ankle instability (CAI) on sagittal and frontal plane mechanical joint laxity.
DATA SOURCES
Articles were searched with MEDLINE (1966 to October 2008), CINAHL (1982 to October 2008), and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (to October 2008) using the key words chronic ankle instability and joint laxity, functional ankle instability and joint laxity, and lateral ankle sprains and joint laxity.
STUDY SELECTION
To be included, studies had to employ a case control design; mechanical joint laxity had to be measured via a stress roentogram, an instrumented ankle arthrometer, or ankle/foot stress-testing device; anteroposterior inversion or eversion ankle-subtalar joint complex laxity had to be measured; and means and standard deviations of CAI and control groups had to be provided.
DATA EXTRACTION
One investigator assessed each study based on the criteria to ensure its suitability for analysis. The initial search yielded 1378 potentially relevant articles, from which 8 were used in the final analysis. Once the study was accepted for inclusion, its quality was assessed with the PEDro scale.
DATA SYNTHESIS
Twenty-one standardized effect sizes and their 95% confidence intervals were computed for each group and dependent variable. CAI produced the largest effect on inversion joint laxity; 45% of the effects ranged from 0.84 to 2.61. Anterior joint laxity measures were influenced second most by CAI (effects, 0.32 to 1.82). CAI had similar but less influence on posterior joint laxity (effects, -0.06 to 0.68) and eversion joint laxity (effects, 0.03 to 0.69).
CONCLUSION
CAI has the largest effect with the most variability on anterior and inversion joint laxity measurements, consistent with the primary mechanism of initial injury.
PubMed: 23015975
DOI: 10.1177/1941738110382392 -
PloS One 2023This study aimed to examine the effects of plantar-sensory treatments on postural control in individuals with chronic ankle instability (CAI). (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to examine the effects of plantar-sensory treatments on postural control in individuals with chronic ankle instability (CAI).
METHODS
This study was registered in PROSPERO (registration number CRD42022329985) on May 14, 2022. An extensive search was performed in Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane, Web of Science, and Scopus to identify the potential studies on plantar-sensory treatments affecting postural control before May 2022. The methodological quality of involved studies was assessed using the scale of Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro). The Cochrane Tool and the Risk of Bias in Non-randomized Studies of Interventions assessment tool were used to evaluate the risk of bias in randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and non-RCTs respectively. RevMan 5.4 was utilised to calculate the standardised mean difference (SMD), with 95% confidence interval (CI).
RESULTS
Eight RCTs with a mean PEDro rating of 6 and four non-RCTs with a mean PEDro rating of 4.75 were included in the quantitative analysis. The types of plantar-sensory treatments included plantar massage, whole-body vibration and textured surface-stimulation treatment. A significant effect of static balance with eyes open (SMD = -0.54; 95% CI: -0.81 to -0.27; p < 0.001) was found and subgroup analysis showed that plantar massage (SMD = -0.49; 95% CI: -0.84 to -0.14; p = 0.006) and whole-body vibration (SMD = -0.66; 95% CI: -1.12 to -0.19; p = 0.005) had positive effects. In the subgroup analysis of anterior dynamic balance, whole-body vibration revealed a significant increase (SMD = 0.60; 95% CI: 0.06-1.14; p = 0.03). The pooled results or subgroup analysis including eyes-closed static balance and other directions of dynamic balance indicated no significant difference (p > 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
This meta-analysis indicated that plantar-sensory treatments could improve postural control in CAI, especially the treatments of plantar massage and long-term whole-body vibration.
Topics: Humans; Ankle; Joint Instability; Physical Therapy Modalities; Postural Balance; Ankle Joint
PubMed: 37368906
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0287689 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Dec 2013Contractures, a common complication following immobility, lead to restricted joint range of motion. Passive movements (PMs) are widely used for the treatment and... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Contractures, a common complication following immobility, lead to restricted joint range of motion. Passive movements (PMs) are widely used for the treatment and prevention of contractures; however, it is not clear whether they are effective.
OBJECTIVES
The aim of this review was to determine the effects of PMs on persons with contractures or at risk of developing contractures. Specifically, the aim was to determine whether PMs increase joint mobility.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched the Cochrane Injuries Group Specialised Register, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE (Ovid SP), EMBASE (Ovid SP), ISI Web of Science (SCI-EXPANDED; SSCI; CPCI-S; CPCI-SSH), PEDro and PsycINFO (Ovid SP). The search was run on 21 November 2013.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Randomised controlled trials of PMs administered for the treatment or prevention of contractures were included. Studies were included if they compared the effectiveness of PMs versus no intervention, sham intervention or placebo in people with or at risk of contracture. Studies that involved other co-interventions were included, provided the co-interventions were administered in the same way to all groups. Interventions administered through mechanical devices and interventions that involved sustained stretch were excluded.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Three independent review authors screened studies for inclusion. Two review authors then extracted data and assessed risk of bias. Primary outcomes were joint mobility and occurrence of adverse events such as joint subluxations or dislocations, heterotopic ossification, autonomic dysreflexia and fractures or muscle tears. Secondary outcomes were quality of life, pain, spasticity, activity limitations and participation restrictions. We used standard methodological procedures as advocated by the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions.
MAIN RESULTS
Two identified studies randomly assigned a total of 122 participants with neurological conditions comparing PMs versus no PMs. Data from 121 participants were available for analysis. Both studies had a low risk of bias. One within-participant study involving 20 participants (40 limbs) measured ankle joint mobility and reported a mean between-group difference of four degrees (95% confidence interval (CI), two to six degrees) favouring the experimental group. Both studies measured spasticity with the Modified Ashworth Scale, but the results were not pooled because of clinical heterogeneity. Neither study reported a clinically or statistically relevant reduction in spasticity with PMs. In one study, the mean difference on a tallied 48-point Modified Ashworth Scale for the upper limbs was one of 48 points (95% CI minus two to four points), and in the other study, the median difference on a six-point Modified Ashworth Scale for the ankle plantar flexor muscles was zero points (95% CI minus one to zero points). In both studies, a negative between-group difference indicated a reduction in spasticity in the experimental group compared with the control group. One study with a total of 102 participants investigated the short-term effects on pain. The mean difference on a zero to 24-point pain scale was -0.4 points in favour of the control group (95% CI -1.4 to 0.6 points). The GRADE level of evidence about the effects of PMs on joint mobility, spasticity and pain is very low. Neither study examined quality of life, activity limitations or participation restrictions or reported any adverse events.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
It is not clear whether PMs are effective for the treatment and prevention of contractures.
Topics: Ankle Joint; Contracture; Humans; Manipulation, Orthopedic; Muscle Spasticity; Pain Measurement; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Range of Motion, Articular
PubMed: 24374605
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD009331.pub2 -
Cartilage 2022To determine and compare the incidence rate of (osteo)chondral lesions of the ankle in patients with acute and chronic isolated syndesmotic injuries. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
To determine and compare the incidence rate of (osteo)chondral lesions of the ankle in patients with acute and chronic isolated syndesmotic injuries.
DESIGN
A literature search was conducted in the PubMed (MEDLINE) and EMBASE (Ovid) databases from 2000 to September 2021. Two authors independently screened the search results, and risk of bias was assessed using the MINORS (Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies) criteria. Studies on acute and chronic isolated syndesmotic injuries with pre-operative or intra-operative imaging were included. The primary outcome was the incidence rate with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of (osteo)chondral lesions of the ankle in combined and separate groups of acute and chronic syndesmotic injuries. Secondary outcomes were anatomic distribution and mean size of the (osteo)chondral lesions.
RESULTS
Nine articles (402 syndesmotic injuries) were included in the final analysis. Overall (osteo)chondral lesion incidence was 20.7% (95% CI: 13.7%-29.9%). This rate was 22.0% (95% CI: 17.1-27.7) and 24.1% (95% CI: 15.6-35.2) for acute and chronic syndesmotic injuries, respectively. In the combined acute and chronic syndesmotic injury group, 95.4% of the lesions were located on the talar dome and 4.5% of the lesions were located on the distal tibia. (Osteo)chondral lesion size was not reported in any of the studies.
CONCLUSIONS
This meta-analysis shows that (osteo)chondral lesions of the ankle are present in 21% of the patients with isolated syndesmotic injuries. No difference in incidence rate was found between the different syndesmotic injury types and it can be concluded that the majority of lesions are located on the talar dome.
PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER
CRD42020176641.
Topics: Ankle; Ankle Injuries; Ankle Joint; Humans; Incidence
PubMed: 35657299
DOI: 10.1177/19476035221102569 -
EFORT Open Reviews Nov 2023Emerging reports suggest an important involvement of the ankle/hindfoot alignment in the outcome of knee osteotomy; however, a comprehensive overview is currently not...
PURPOSE
Emerging reports suggest an important involvement of the ankle/hindfoot alignment in the outcome of knee osteotomy; however, a comprehensive overview is currently not available. Therefore, we systematically reviewed all studies investigating biomechanical and clinical outcomes related to the ankle/hindfoot following knee osteotomies.
METHODS
A systematic literature search was conducted on PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE and Cochrane Library according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and registered on international prospective register of systematic reviews (PROSPERO) (CRD42021277189). Combining knee osteotomy and ankle/hindfoot alignment, all biomechanical and clinical studies were included. Studies investigating knee osteotomy in conjunction with total knee arthroplasty and case reports were excluded. The QUality Appraisal for Cadaveric Studies (QUACS) scale and Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies (MINORS) scores were used for quality assessment.
RESULTS
Out of 3554 hits, 18 studies were confirmed eligible, including 770 subjects. The minority of studies (n = 3) assessed both high tibial- and distal femoral osteotomy. Following knee osteotomy, the mean tibiotalar contact pressure decreased (n = 4) except in the presence of a rigid subtalar joint (n = 1) or a talar tilt deformity (n = 1). Patient symptoms and/or radiographic alignment at the level of the ankle/hindfoot improved after knee osteotomy (n = 13). However, factors interfering with an optimal outcome were a small preoperative lateral distal tibia angle, a small hip-knee-ankle axis (HKA) angle, a large HKA correction (>14.5°) and a preexistent hindfoot deformity (>15.9°).
CONCLUSIONS
Osteotomies to correct knee deformity alter biomechanical and clinical outcomes at the level of the ankle/hindfoot. In general, these changes were beneficial, but several parameters were identified in association with deterioration of ankle/hindfoot symptoms following knee osteotomy.
PubMed: 37909698
DOI: 10.1530/EOR-23-0104