Effectiveness of the Ponseti Method in the Treatment of Clubfoot: A Systematic Review.

Clubfoot is a common congenital deformity of the lower limbs. It should be treated as soon as possible so that its correction is more easily achieved. The objective of this systematic review was to assess the effectiveness of the Ponseti method in the treatment of clubfoot. A bibliographic search was carried out in different databases, including PubMed and SciELO. Filters such as full text and randomized controlled trial were selected to find those articles that best matched our search. Among the results, we selected the ones that interested us, and the rest were discarded, either because they did not meet the requirements for our work or because they were repeated. In total, we collected 19 articles, but after using the critical evaluation instrument CASPe, 7 of them were eliminated, leaving us with a total of 12 articles for our systematic review. After analyzing the results obtained in the selected articles, we concluded that the Ponseti method is effective in the treatment of clubfoot, presenting a high success rate.

Relationship between Running Spatiotemporal Kinematics and Muscle Performance in Well-Trained Youth Female Athletes. A Cross-Sectional Study.

The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to analyse the relationship of neuromuscular performance and spatiotemporal parameters in 18 adolescent distance athletes (age, 15.5 ± 1.1 years). Using the OptoGait system, the power, rhythm, reactive strength index, jump flying time, and jump height of the squat jump, countermovement jump, and eight maximal hoppings test (HT8max) and the contact time (CT), flying time (FT), step frequency, stride angle, and step length of running at different speeds were measured. Maturity offset was determined based on anthropometric variables. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) of repeated measurements showed a reduction in CT (p < 0.000) and an increase in step frequency, step length, and stride angle (p < 0.001), as the velocity increased. The HT8max test showed significant correlations with very large effect sizes between neuromuscular performance variables (reactive strength index, power, jump flying time, jump height, and rhythm) and both step frequency and step length. Multiple linear regression found this relationship after adjusting spatiotemporal parameters with neuromuscular performance variables. Some variables of neuromuscular performance, mainly in reactive tests, were the predictors of spatiotemporal parameters (CT, FT, stride angle, and VO). Rhythm and jump flying time in the HT8max test and power in the countermovement jump test are parameters that can predict variables associated with running biomechanics, such as VO, CT, FT, and stride angle.

Clinical Manifestations of COVID-19 in the Feet: A Review of Reviews.

There is a lack of scientific evidence about the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The clinical manifestations are not thoroughly understood; classically, the virus manifests itself at the pulmonary level but can manifest at other levels. To the best of our knowledge, systematic reviews and non-systematic reviews about COVID-19 symptoms in the feet have not been published. The aim of this review of reviews was to analyze and synthesize the published reviews on manifestations of COVID-19 at the foot level. Methods: a review of reviews was conducted; the eligibility criteria included studies published in English or Spanish, involving children and adults with COVID-19, and reporting foot manifestations. PubMed, SciELO, Science Direct, Cochrane Database of Systematic Review, and Google Scholar were analyzed. Two authors independently performed the screening and quality assessment of the studies with AMSTAR 1, and finally, nine reviews were analyzed (one systematic and eight narratives studies). The main clinical manifestations at the foot level in patients with COVID-19 were vascular (edema, exanthems, chilblains, ischemia, and distal necrosis), dermatological (vesicular, maculopapular, papulosquamous, urticarial skin breakouts, and recurrent herpes), and neurological (muscular weakness in lower limbs, paresis, areflexias, ataxia, and difficulty walking). Erythema pernio or "COVID toes" was shown as the most characteristic lesion of this disease, especially in asymptomatic children and young people, so this typical manifestation may be considered important in patients who are positive for COVID-19. This finding does not allow for strong conclusions due to the scarce literature and methodological quality in this regard. Future studies are necessary.

Variation of spatiotemporal parameters in school children carrying different backpack loads: a cross sectional study.

The purpose of this study was to analyze spatiotemporal parameters of gait in children using varyingly loaded Backpacks(BP). This cross-sectional study examined 231 schoolchildren (118 boys, 113 girls) aged six to 12 years, carrying a traditional BP to manipulate loading (Crossing Backpack Children Arpenaz 7 Litres, Junior Red Quechua). Load was added to the BPs in increments of 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% of the child's body weight. Spatio-temporal parameters were measured with the OptoGait system. Significant differences were observed in single support (p < 0.001), and double support (p < 0.001). No statistically significant differences were observed in step length (p = 0.959) between the five loading conditions. Similarly, no statistically significant differences were found in the contact phase (p = 0.208), although significant changes were seen between baseline, 15% of body weight (p < 0.005), and 20% of body weight (p < 0.005). The effect sizes from the ANOVA in the single support was low (0.015), and double support was moderate (0.02). Increased weight in BPs reduced both children's balance and single support, increased double support, but did not change step length. The children increase double support with heavier loads to help their balance. The spatio-temporal changes were most evident with BP loads between 15-20% of body weight. Affective responses, including the perception of heaviness or difficulty in carrying the schoolbags need to be included in further and prospective investigations.

Anthropometric and Psychomotor Development Factors Linked to Foot Valgus in Children Aged 6 to 9 Years.

BACKGROUND: Planovalgus foot prevalence estimates vary widely (0.6%-77.9%). Among the many factors that may influence planovalgus foot development, much attention has been given to body mass index, especially that of children's feet; factors related to psychomotor development have been less studied. We sought to determine the presence of planovalgus foot in children and its association with anthropometric parameters and psychomotor development. METHODS: A case-control study was conducted in Málaga, Spain, 2012-2013, of 104 schoolchildren (mean ± SD age, 7.55 ± 0.89 years; 45.2% were boys). Age, sex, body mass index, presence of valgus (valgus index, by pedigraphy), and personal history related to psychomotor development of the lower limbs (presence/absence of crawling, age at onset of crawling, age at onset of walking, use of mobility aids) were evaluated. RESULTS: Of the children with obesity, 53.7% had valgus deformity in the left hindfoot (odds ratio [OR], 6.94; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.72-17.70; P < .0001). In the right foot, the corresponding values were 54.5% (OR, 9.08; 95% CI, 3.38-24.36; P < .0001). Multivariate logistic regression showed an increased risk of left planovalgus foot in boys, in children with overweight or obesity, and in those who began walking later. For the right foot, the same risk factors applied except age at onset of walking. CONCLUSIONS: These results corroborate data from previous studies, which report an association between overweight and obesity and the onset of planovalgus foot in children. In addition, we identify a new risk factor: age at onset of walking.

Influence of Shoe Characteristics on the Development of Valgus Foot in Children.

For thousands of years, shoes have been worn to protect the feet from injury, and the proper choice and use of footwear are directly relevant to foot health, especially that of children. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between shoe-related factors (type and frequency of use) and the prevalence of valgus foot in children. This analytical cross-sectional observational study was carried out on a population of children in the first, second or third year of primary education, to analyzing the frequency and type of shoes worn, and to determining the presence or not of valgus foot. The sample consisted of 132 children (of 642 potential subjects), with an average age of 7.53 years (Standard Deviation (SD) 0.80), which was composed of 61 boys (46.2%) and 71 girls (53.8%). The overall prevalence of valgus foot was 45.5% (n = 60). The use of boots 2⁻5 days a week was significantly associated, in both sexes, with a lower prevalence of valgus in the left foot (30.5%, p = 0.009). The use of boots could be associated with a lower presence of valgus, depending on the frequency of wear.