The effects of improvement in upper extremity function on gait and balance in children with upper extremity affected.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the effects of functional improvement in the upper extremity on gait and balance in children with upper extremity affected. RESEARCH QUESTION: What are the effects of functional improvement in the upper extremity on gait and balance in children with upper extremity affected? METHODS: Eighteen children with a diagnosis of rheumatologic diseases and 15 healthy children were evaluated with Shriners Hospital Upper Extremity Assessment, Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test, Abilhand Rheumatoid Arthritis Scale, 10-meter walk test and Childhood Health Assessment Questionnaire. For static balance assessment, the Biodex Balance was used. Ground reaction forces (peak forces (heel strike and push-off) and minimum force (loading response), single-limb support duration, Center-of-Force displacement and walking speed were evaluated with the Sensor Medica. Arm swing was evaluated with the Kinovea 2D motion analysis. RESULTS: Before treatment, single-limb support duration and push-off force was higher and center-of-force displacement was lower on affected side compared to unaffected side in rheumatologic group. After the 6-week rehabilitation program, upper extremity function, quality of life and functional gait score improved. Single-limb support duration decreased on affected side and increased on unaffected side. On affected side, push-off force decreased. The arm swing parameters were similar before and after treatment. SIGNIFICANCE: Improving upper extremity function can help with gait balance by decreasing the difference in walking and balance parameters between the affected and unaffected sides and providing for more symmetrical weight transfer.

Functional Bandaging in Children with Idiopathic Toe Walking.

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic toe walking (ITW) is a persistent gait pattern with no known etiology, which is characterized as premature heel-rise or no-heel contact. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of functional bandaging in children with ITW on heel-contact during stance phase and gait quality. METHODS: Nineteen children, 4-16 years of age with ITW (mean{plus minus}SD: 7.36{plus minus}3.16) and ten age-matched healthy pairs (mean{plus minus}SD: 7.30{plus minus}2) were included in the study. Elastic adhesive bandages were applied to children with ITW to assist with dorsiflexion. Before bandaging (T0), immediately after initial bandaging (T1), and one week later with the same bandage (T2), the initial contact, loading response, and mid-stance sub-phases of gait were analyzed using light-pressure sensors and the Edinburgh Visual Gait Score (EVGS). Ten age-matched children with typical gait participated for comparison in T0. The data was analyzed by using Friedman and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests for within-group comparison and Mann-Whitney U tests for between-group comparison. RESULTS: In T0, for the ITW group, no heel contact was observed during stance. In T1, all the participants achieved heel contact at initial contact and loading response; and 56.8%, at mid-stance. In T2, all the heels continued contact at initial contact and loading response; and 54.3%, at mid-stance. The EVGS significantly improved. The Friedman test showed that there were noteworthy improvements between T0-T1 and T0-T2 in VBOGA and EVGS (p < 0.001), although no difference was found between T1-T2 in VBOGA (p = 0,913) and EVGS (p = 0,450). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, for ITW children, dorsiflexion assistive functional bandaging was an effective tool to help achieving heel contact on the ground and improve walking quality for a short period of time after the application. Further studies with longer follow-ups and larger sample sizes are required to confirm the long duration therapeutic effects of this promising functional bandaging.

Increased femoral anteversion-related biomechanical abnormalities: lower extremity function, falling frequencies, and fatigue.

BACKGROUND: Increased femoral anteversion (IFA) is defined as forwardly rotated femoral head relative to the transcondylar knee axis which may have a potential to reduce the functional quality of adolescents. Therefore, the aim of our study was to investigate the effects of IFA on lower-extremity function, falling frequency, and fatigue onset in neurologically intact children. RESEARCH QUESTION: Does increased femoral anteversion influence lower extremity function, falling frequency and fatigue on set in healthy children? METHODS: Sixty-five participants with increased femoral anteversion (IFA) and thirty-two healthy peers as control were included into the study. For the function, the lower extremity function form (LEFF) which is adapted from Lower Extremity Function Test used. Falling frequency and fatigue onset time were assessed by a Likert-type scale. In addition, the activities which cause frequently fall for the participants were questioned. RESULTS: Lower extremity function was found deteriorated (p= 0.02) and falling frequency was higher (p = 0.00) in IFA than in controls. Fatigue onset time was not different between groups, although lower extremity function was strongly correlated with fatigue onset (rho = -0.537, p < 0.001). IFA children fall four times more during running (60%), three times more during fast walking (21.42%) than their healthy peers (14.28%, 7.14% respectively). SIGNIFICANCE: IFA leads functional problems, especially in the form of high falling frequencies. According to the LEFF score, the most difficult functional parameters for these children were walking long distances, becoming tired, walking more than a mile, and standing on one spot. Also, shorter fatigue onset time may worsen the lower-extremity function secondarily. Because of the higher frequency of falling and functional problems, children with IFA may be more defenseless to injuries, especially in high-motor-skill activities such as running and soccer.

Patient compliance with touchdown weight bearing after microfracture treatment of talar osteochondral lesions.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate the compliance of our patients with a touchdown weight bearing (without supporting any weight on the affected side by only touching the plantar aspect of the foot to the ground to maintain balance to protect the affected side from mechanical loading) postoperative rehabilitation protocol after treatment of talar osteochondral lesion (TOL). METHODS: Fourteen patients, who had been treated with arthroscopic debridement and microfracture, were followed prospectively. The patients were evaluated for weight bearing compliance with using a stationary gait analysis and feedback system at the postoperative first day, first week, third week, and sixth week. RESULTS: The mean visual analog scale (VAS) scores of the patients at the preoperative, postoperative first day, first week, third week, and sixth weeks were 5.5, 5.9, 3.6, 0.9, and 0.4, respectively. The decrease in VAS scores were statistically significant (p < 0.0001). First postoperative day revealed a mean value of transmitted weight of 4.08% ±0.8 (one non-compliant patient). The mean value was 4.34% ±0.8 at the first postoperative week (two non-compliant patients), 6.95% ±2.3 at the third postoperative week (eight non-compliant patients), and 10.8% ±4.8 at the sixth postoperative week (11 non-compliant patients). In the analysis of data, we found a negative correlation between VAS scores and transmitted weight (Kendall's tau b = -0.445 and p = 0.0228). CONCLUSIONS: Although patients were able to learn and adjust to the touchdown weight bearing gait protocol during the early postoperative period, most patients became non-compliant when their pain was relieved. To prevent this situation of non-compliance, patients should be warned to obey the weight bearing restrictions, and patients should be called for a follow-up at the third postoperative week.

Arthroscopic synovectomy in the treatment of functional ankle instability: outcomes and gait analysis.

BACKGROUND: Natural consequence of repetitive ankle sprains is the chronic ankle instability. Objective of this study was to clarify the gait patterns of functional ankle instability (FAI) patients after arthroscopic synovectomy, but also assessment of postoperative recovery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Arthroscopic synovectomy was performed to 14 FAI patients with history of unilateral repetitive ankle sprains, pain, and subjective sensation of instability. At a mean 54 months of follow-up (27-84), clinical assessment was conducted with respect to pain, number of ankle sprains, and American Orthopaedics Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) scores. Gait analysis was conducted to determine the temporospatial, kinetic and kinematic parameters at the last follow-up. RESULTS: Mean AOFAS scores increased from 68 (range 55-75) to 89 (range 77-100) points (P < 0.01). Mean ankle sprains was 13 in a period of 23 (range 14-48) months (0.58 per month) and decreased to three sprains in a mean time period of 54 months (0.053 per month) (P < 0.01). Mean preoperative and postoperative VAS scores were 8.0 and 2.9, respectively (P < 0.01). During gait analysis, no significant differences were found in ankle joint, including foot progression angles, ankle dorsi-plantar flexion degrees and ground reaction forces (P > 0.01). Among temporospatial parameters, only double support time showed a significant difference (P < 0.01). All patients were satisfied from the procedure and returned to their previous activity level. CONCLUSION: Improved long-term clinical results and scores were obtained in our patient group when compared with the preoperative scores. Also, three-dimensional gait analysis showed that the involved ankles demonstrate similar gait patterns to the uninvolved ankles in patients with FAI.

Suture anchor tenodesis in repair of distal Achilles tendon injuries.

BACKGROUND: Distal Achilles tendon avulsions are in the form of either bony and nonbony avulsion of Achilles tendon from its calcaneal insertion. METHODS: Four patients with distal Achilles tendon avulsions or ruptures which were treated with tendon to bone repair using suture anchors are presented here. Operated leg was immobilized in above-knee cast for 4 weeks while the patient walked non-weight-bearing. Then, cast was changed to below knee, and full weight-bearing was allowed. Patients underwent gait analysis minimum at first postoperative year. RESULTS: Mean American Orthopedics Foot Ankle Society ankle/hindfoot score of patients at last visit was 88.75 (range 85-100), and Achilles tendon total rupture score was 77.75 (range 58-87). Mean passive dorsiflexion of injured ankles (14° ± 5°) was lower than uninjured ankles (23° ± 9°). All the kinematic parameters of gait analysis were comparable to the uninjured side. Maximum plantar flexion power of injured ankle was 1.40 W/kg, and this was significantly lower than the contralateral side value 2.38 W/kg; (P = 0.0143). CONCLUSIONS: There were no visually altered gait or problems in daily life. Suture anchor tenodesis technique of distal Achilles tendon avulsions was successful in achieving durable osteotendinous repairs.

Quantitative analysis of reduced arm swing frequency in essential tremor.

BACKGROUND: Essential tremor (ET) has recently been accepted as a heterogeneous disorder which may be associated with synuclein pathology or a variety of other genetic disorders. METHODS: We observed decreased arm swing frequency in 18 of 136 definite ET patients, and recorded the associated arm movements in 18 ET patients and 33 sex- and age-matched healthy controls. RESULTS: The mean frequency of the right arm (p = 0.047), left arm (p = 0.025) and leg (p = 0.030), and the mean arm/leg frequency on the right side (p = 0.048) were significantly lower in ET patients. The mean frequencies for both arms and legs were significantly lower for the more affected side of the body (p = 0.034 and p = 0.036, respectively). CONCLUSION: We conclude that ET may be associated with decreased arm and leg swing frequencies, especially on the more affected side of the body.

Effect of balneotherapy on temporospatial gait characteristics of patients with osteoarthritis of the knee.

Effects of balneotherapy on gait properties of patients with osteoarthritis of the knee were investigated prospectively. A total of 30 patients with knee osteoarthritis received balneotherapy consisting of two daily thermomineral water baths for 2 weeks. Patients were evaluated using gait analysis and clinical scores, both within 2 weeks, before and after spa treatment. Patients were walking faster in their control analyses (0.81 +/- 0.21 to 0.89 +/- 0.19 m/s; P = 0.017), with a shorter mean stance time (63.0 +/- 3.3 to 61.8 +/- 2.5% stride; P = 0.007), an increased cadence (96 +/- 13.1 to 100 +/- 11.9 steps/min; P = 0.094) and stride length (996 +/- 174 to 1,058 +/- 142 mm; P = 0.017). Balneotherapy also resulted in a significant decrease in Lequesne knee osteoarthritis index (12.1 +/- 3.7 to 10.0 +/- 3.3 points; P = 0.003), VAS for pain (58 +/- 25 to 33 +/- 15; P = 0.0001), VAS for patients' (56 +/- 24 to 29 +/- 19; P < 0.001) and investigator's global assessment (55 +/- 20 to 26 +/- 15; P < 0.0001) and WOMAC score (2.1 +/- 0.7 to 1.6 +/- 0.8; P = 0.0004). Balneotherapy has positive effects on gait properties and clinical health quality parameters of patients with knee osteoarthritis in short-term evaluations.