Foot and ankle problems in Muay Thai kickboxers.

BACKGROUND: Muay Thai kickboxing is a common sport that uses the foot and ankle in fighting. Muay Thai kickboxing trainees usually receive training in Thailand Foot and ankle problems in this group ofpeople who usually train barefoot remain unexplored OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of common foot and ankle problems in Muay Thai kick boxers. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The present study is a cross-sectional survey of Muay Thai kick boxers practicing in northern Thailand. Interviews were conducted and foot and ankle examinations were evaluated Foot morphology was examined using a Harris mat footprint. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-three Muay Thai kickbox ersinnine training gyms were included in this study. Common foot and ankle problems found in the Muay Thai kick boxers were callosity (59%), gastrocnemius contracture (57%), toe deformities (49.3%), wounds (10%) and heel pain (9%). Callosity was most commonly found on the forefoot (77.5%), on the plantar first metatarsal (55.3%) and on the big toe (33.3%). An association was found between a tight heel cord and a history of foot injury with prolonged periods of weekly training. Toe deformities such as hallux rigidus (37.6%) were also associated with prolonged periods of training (p = 0.001). No correlation was found between type of foot arch and foot and ankle problems. CONCLUSION: Plantar forefoot callosities and wounds as well as toe deformities including tight heel cords are some of the foot and ankle problems commonly found in Muay Thai kick boxers. They are associated with prolonged periods of barefoot training. The unique pattern of training and of the kicks in Muay Thai might be a path mechanism, leading to the development of foot and ankle problems.

The epidemiology of foot wounds in patients with diabetes: a description of 600 consecutive patients in Turkey.

Epidemiological studies describing demographic, clinical, and surgical characteristics of diabetic foot wounds are lacking in Turkey. To further describe the epidemiology of diabetic foot wounds in Turkey, we developed an evaluation form and performed a retrospective cohort study that entailed 600 diabetic patients who were admitted to the hospital for treatment of their foot wound(s). The mean age of the cohort was 62.3 ± 10.3 (range 23-92) years, and their mean duration of diabetes was 17.4 ± 7.4 years. Males accounted for 68.17% of the cohort, and 96.83% of the cohort had type 2 diabetes. Prevalences for lower extremity arterial pulses and peripheral neuropathy, as well as the location, depth, microbiology, and surgical treatment of the pedal wounds are also presented. In conclusion, diabetic foot wounds are common in Turkey, and the morbidity associated with these lesions is generally substantial. Although our investigation aimed primarily at describing risk factors associated with diabetic foot wounds, we believe that the findings of this investigation can be used in the development of prospective cohort studies and randomized controlled trials that focus on foot wounds in diabetic patients in Turkey, and may be useful to investigators in other parts of the world.

Stimulation of the medial plantar nerve for complex regional pain syndrome.

We describe a 47-year old male with complex regional pain syndrome II in the distribution of the medial plantar nerve following metatarsal fracture, which was treated with peripheral nerve stimulation. Using a new technique of nerve stimulation with a percutaneous-type electrode, the patient experienced sustained relief at 12 months follow-up. To our knowledge, this is the first report of peripheral neurostimulation effectively managing pain for the medial plantar nerve.

Open lateral collateral ligament injury of the interphalangeal joint of the great toe in adolescents during Taekwondo.

BACKGROUND: Sports-related open lateral collateral ligament injury of the interphalangeal joint of the great toe has not been previously described in the English literature. HYPOTHESIS: This injury can occur in adolescents while performing barefooted high-kicking or fast-running exercises involving rapid, 180 degrees turns on a dry, rough, wooden floor in a Taekwondo gymnasium. Injury occurs when the whole body turns quickly while supported only by the plantar aspect of the distal phalanx of the great toe. STUDY DESIGN: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: The 7 study subjects consisted of 6 boys and 1 girl between 10 and 16 years old. Causes, pattern, mechanism of injury, treatment, and outcomes were investigated. RESULTS: All patients showed the same injury pattern and mechanism. They all had an open wound on the dorsolateral aspect of the interphalangeal joint. It was postulated that rapid whole body turning supported only by the distal phalanx of the great toe produces nonphysiologic varus stress at the interphalangeal joint, which results in open detachment of the lateral collateral ligament and adjoining periosteum from the proximal phalanx and interphalangeal joint subluxation. All 7 patients regained full great toe function after surgical repair. CONCLUSION: This unique sports-related open interphalangeal joint injury should be recognized. Participants, trainers, and health providers engaged in Taekwondo or similar sports should understand the pathomechanism of this injury and develop preventive measures.

[Regional circulation in gunshot wounds of the ankle joint and foot]. / Regionarnoe krovoobrashchenie pri ognestrel'nykh raneniiakh golenostopnogo sustava i stopy.

Problems of treatment of battle injuries of the ankle joint and foot are discussed. These injuries are characterized with severe disturbances of regional circulation and microcirculation causing hypoxia and metabolic disorders both in soft tissues and in bones. Digital substraction angiography (DSA) was used in 7 wounded (7.53%) of all patients with battle injuries of the foot and ankle joint. Combined treatment including surgery, drugs, physical and exercise therapy, hyperbaric oxygenation was used in all the patients. Prolonged intraarterial infusion of drugs was carried out in 4 of 7 patients. It is concluded that early evaluation of regional circulation permits to clarify expediency of applied combined treatment. Injury of three arteries is the indication for amputation, but even one functioning artery enables use of combined therapy with intraarterial infusion for extremity salvage.

Retrospective analysis of neurapraxia and axonotmesis injuries of select peripheral nerves of the foot and ankle and their conservative and surgical treatment (external neurolysis and neurectomy).

There is a paucity of scientific literature that has reviewed the conservative and surgical treatment efficacy for the management of injuries causing neurapraxia and axonotmesis. This retrospective study evaluates the clinical outcomes of certain treatments for these injuries. Twenty-seven patients fulfilled the inclusion/exclusion criteria for the study, and represented both genders and a wide variety of ages, weights, levels of education, and backgrounds. Surgical intervention resulted in a slightly better clinical outcome when compared to conservative therapies. Patients undergoing surgery for a single nerve problem improved more than those who underwent surgery when three or more nerves were involved. Failure was most often associated with: 1) multiple nerve injuries, 2) a previous history of psychopathology, and 3) application of conservative therapy without surgical intervention for single nerve injury.

Foot and ankle injuries among martial artists. Results of a survey.

The practice of the martial arts is associated with a variety of lower-extremity injuries. Previous studies of the martial arts have examined injuries to the entire body, while providing only limited information on trauma to the foot and ankle. After a comprehensive review of the literature on martial arts injuries, the authors report the results of a survey on foot and ankle injuries sustained by martial arts practitioners.