Foot Muscle Strengthening and Lower Limb Injury Prevention.

Background and objectives: The active and passive structures of the foot act in unison to not only be compliant enough to assist in ground reaction force attenuation but also resist deformation to provide a stable base of support. A foot that is unable to adjust to the imposed demands during high-intensity sporting activities may alter the moments and forces acting on the joints, increasing the risk of non-contact anterior cruciate ligament ruptures (ACLR) and lateral ankle sprains (LAS). Prophylactic strengthening programs are often used to reduce the risk of these injuries, but at present, very few prophylactic programs include foot-specific strengthening strategies. The aim of this theoretical review is to ascertain the prophylactic role strengthening muscles acting on the foot may have on ACLR and LAS injury risk. Methods: Literature relating to risk factors associated with ACLR and LAS injury and the anatomy and biomechanics of normal foot function was searched. In addition, ACLR and LAS injury prevention programs were also sought. A theoretical, narrative approach was followed to synthesize the information gathered from the articles. Results: The foot segments are governed by the congruity of the articulations and the activity of the foot muscles. As such, there is a coupling effect between shank, calcaneus, midfoot, and hallux movement which play a role in both ACLR and LAS injury risk. Conclusions: Strengthening the muscles acting on the foot may have a significant impact on ACLR and LAS injury risk.

Atención de la úlcera de pie como manifestación clínica de la esclerosis sistémica / Managing foot ulcers as a clinical manifestation of systemic sclerosis

Las úlceras pueden aparecer sobre protuberancias óseas, como las falanges proximales o los codos, pero es más probable que sean secundarias a la piel tensa y al trauma y no respondan a la terapia vasodilatadora. Todas las úlceras son muy dolorosas. El propósito de este trabajo es presentar aspectos relacionados con la atención de las úlceras digitales en la esclerodermia, según la experiencia de diferentes autores. En reumatología, se recomienda, en todo paciente con dolor reumático crónico, calcular la intensidad del dolor, tanto para la elección primera del tratamiento analgésico como para la medición de la respuesta. Y, para ello, se han propuesto varios métodos de cuantificación. El manejo de las úlceras digitales en la esclerodermia incluye la intervención no farmacológica, farmacológica y quirúrgica. El uso de nitratos, infusiones de acetilcisteína, el gel de vitamina E, entre otros métodos mejoran el tiempo de curación en pacientes con esclerodermia. La falta de terapias aprobadas por la Administración de Alimentos y Medicamentos de los Estados Unidos para las ulceraciones digitales garantiza un enfoque y una atención renovados para encontrar opciones de tratamiento significativas. Los médicos deberán emplear un enfoque terapéutico multifacético para optimizar el tratamiento de úlceras digitales existente y evitar la formación de nuevas lesiones para proporcionar a los pacientes la mejor calidad de vida(AU)

Ulcers can occur on bony bumps, such as the proximal phalanges or elbows, but are more likely to be secondary to tight skin and trauma and not responsive to vasodilator therapy. All ulcers are characteristically very painful. To present aspects related to the management of digital ulcers in scleroderma based on the experience of different authors. The management of digital ulcers in scleroderma includes non-pharmacological, pharmacological and surgical intervention. The use of nitrates, infusions of acetylcysteine, Vitamin E Gel, among other methods, improve the healing time in patients with scleroderma. The lack of US Food and Drug Administration approved therapies for digital ulcerations ensures a renewed focus and attention on finding meaningful treatment options. Clinicians should employ a multi-faceted therapeutic approach to optimize existing digital ulcers treatment and avoid new lesion formation to provide patients with the best quality of life(AU)

Exploring the Mechanism for Blister Prevention Using Moleskin.

Moleskin is a commonly used material in podiatry and sports medicine for blister prevention and treatment. Common understanding regarding its protective mechanism is reduction of friction at the interface between the foot and the sock/shoe. We argue that moleskin may actually increase friction at this interface, but nonetheless prevents blisters by dispersing shear load within the skin across a wider surface area, reducing potential for skin damage.

Effect of Red Arch-Support Insoles on Subjective Comfort and Movement Biomechanics in Various Landing Heights.

Red is perceived as a "winning color", which may influence actual and perceived performances in sports, but little effort has been done to assess the added value on colored foot insoles in basketball movements. This study examined if colored foot insole would influence perceived comfort and lower extremity biomechanics during drop landing. Nineteen male basketball players performed drop landing trials with different insoles (red arch-support, white arch-support, and white-flat) and landing heights (0.45 and 0.61 m). Two-way (Insole x Height) ANOVAs with repeated measures were performed on each of the knee and ankle angles and moments variables. Wearing red arch-support insoles induced better perception of forefoot and rearfoot cushioning and overall comfort but smaller plantarflexion moment than the white-flat insoles (p < 0.05). Increased landing height was related to higher ground reaction loading, sagittal flexion angles, range of motion, and joint moments but smaller ankle eversion (p < 0.05). Findings indicate that foot insoles might have influenced comfort perception and joint kinetics, but not joint kinematics. The use of red color in foot insoles could potentially maximize the effectiveness of foot insoles in a way that alters comfort perception and motor control during landing, with implications for risk of injury.

Foot injuries, playing surface and shoe design: Should we be thinking more about injury prevention.

The increasing use of artificial pitches has occurred in a multitude of sports at both professional and amateur levels. Artificial turf has become an extremely attractive option as it is felt to encourage a faster, safer and more entertaining play. However these pitches are not without controversy among sporting professionals and in the media. Foot and ankle injury in sport remains incredibly common and a significant burden on health professionals, but what impact do the new artificial surfaces have on these injuries. This review article aims to establish whether artificial turf has an impact on injury rates in the foot and ankle.

Motor cycle spoke wheel injuries in children: A preventable accident.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of motorcycle-induced spoke wheel injury is on the rise in our set up. These injuries range from minor soft tissue laceration to extensive crush injuries. This study aimed to evaluate the mechanism, characteristics, incidence and management of wheel spoke injuries. METHODS: Data of all children admitted to Pediatric Surgery Emergency from January 2014 to December 2017, presenting with wheel spoke injuries were analyzed. Incidence, mechanism and characteristics of injury, along with management plan, were noted. The outcomes were assessed by evaluating patients in follow up. RESULTS: Total study patients were 120, with an incidence of 21.7%. Mean age was 8.03±2.28 years. There were 101male patients and nine female patients. All patients were passengers and were sitting astride. Most of the patients were wearing shoes, and hindfoot area of the right foot was mainly involved. Grade 2 injury was seen in 55 (45.8%) and Grade 3 in 55 (45.8%) patients. Flap was needed in 27(22.5%) patients. All patients were mobile at the time of the follow-up. CONCLUSION: We noted the rising incidence of entrapment injuries; however, we had a satisfactory outcome in our patients using different management techniques. We recommend the implementation of safety protocols to avoid such catastrophic injuries.

Effects of a therapeutic foot exercise program on injury incidence, foot functionality and biomechanics in long-distance runners: Feasibility study for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The goal was to examine the feasibility of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) on the effect of a therapeutic foot-ankle training program to prevent injury in long-distance runners. First, we evaluated (i) the access to participants and recruitment success; (ii) participants' satisfaction and adherence to the program; (iii) the effect of the training program to improve foot muscle strength and change foot biomechanics; and, second, we used the collected data for a post hoc sample size calculation. METHODS/DESIGN: We randomized 31 healthy long-distance recreational runners to either an 8-week foot-ankle muscle strength-training program (intervention) or a stretching protocol (control). The recruitment rate was the number of eligible participants per week of recruitment; recruitment success, the ratio between scheduled baseline visits and initially eligible participants. Participant satisfaction was assessed by a questionnaire, and adherence to the training program was recorded in a Web-based software, both at the 8-week mark. Program effect was assessed by hallux and toe muscle strength using a pressure platform, foot muscle cross-sectional area using magnetic resonance imaging and foot kinematics during running using 3D gait analysis; assessments were done at baseline and after 8 and 16 weeks. A post hoc power analysis was performed on foot strength and the biomechanical data was collected. RESULTS: In two weeks of recruitment, 112 initially eligible subjects were screened, 81 of whom were deemed eligible and 31 had a baseline study visit, giving a recruitment rate of 40.5 subjects/week and recruitment success of 28%. Participants' adherence was 97%, and satisfaction scored a median >3 out of 5 on a Likert scale on all questions. The cross-sectional area of the abductor hallucis (P = 0.040) and flexor digitorum brevis (P = 0.045) increased significantly at 8 weeks in the intervention group. The post hoc sample sizes for almost all the strength and biomechanical parameters were below those of the 112 subjects calculated as the original sample size for clinical outcome (running-related injury). CONCLUSION: Results show that this RCT is feasible, given an accessible study population that is willing to participate and that perceives the training program as positive and adheres to the program. The training program leads to several positive outcomes on muscle strength that justifies assessing clinical outcomes in this RCT.

Evaluation of the effectiveness of toe board energy-absorbing material for foot, ankle, and lower leg injury reduction.

OBJECTIVE: Since 2000, numerous improvements have been made to the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Incorporated (NASCAR®) driver restraint system, resulting in improved crash protection for motorsports drivers. Advancements have included seats, head and neck restraints (HNRs), seat belt restraint systems, driver helmets, and others. These enhancements have increased protection for drivers from severe crash loading. Extending protection to the driver's extremities remains challenging. Though the drivers' legs are well contained for lateral and vertical crashes, they remain largely unrestrained in frontal and frontal oblique crashes. METHOD: Sled testing was conducted for the evaluation of an energy-absorbing (EA) toe board material to be used as a countermeasure for leg and foot injuries. Testing included baseline rigid toe boards, tests with EA material-covered toe boards, and pretest positioning of the 50th percentile male frontal Hybrid III anthropomorphic test device (ATD) lower extremities. ATD leg and foot instrumentation included foot acceleration and tibia forces and moments. RESULTS: The sled test data were evaluated using established injury criteria for tibial plateau fractures, leg shaft fractures, and calcaneus, talus, ankle, and midfoot fractures. CONCLUSION: A polyurethane EA foam was found to be effective in limiting axial tibia force and foot accelerations when subjected to frontal impacts using the NASCAR motorsport restraint system.

Injury rates in martial arts athletes and predictive risk factors for lower limb injuries.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies attempted to identify possible risk factors for acute and overuse injuries in several sports disciplines such as running, gymnastics or team sports. Given the lack of scientific works focused on risk factors for lower limb injuries in martial arts, the present study was aimed to investigate foot anatomy, anthropometric measures, and other background information as possible risk factors of injury in barefoot athletes practicing judo, karate, kung fu, Thai boxing, or aikido. In addition, the injury rates were evaluated in relation with the different martial art styles. METHODS: One group of 130 martial artists was retrospectively evaluated. Data of three morphological variables of the foot were collected: navicular height (NH), navicular drop (ND), and the rear foot (RF). In addition, each participant filled an interview questionnaire providing the following information: age, sex, body weight, height, Body Mass Index, hours of training per week, the kind of injury occurred to the lower limbs in the preceding year. RESULTS: Of 130 subjects, 70 (53.8%) did not sustain injuries, 35 (27.0%) suffered an acute injury and the remaining 25 (19.2%) reported an overuse injury. No significant differences were observed in the injury rates in relation to style and kind of martial art. Age, training volume and BMI were found as significant predictors of injury, while NH, ND, and RF were not able to predict acute or overuse injury at lower limbs. CONCLUSIONS: The injury rates were similar in karate, judo, kung fu, aikido, and Thai boxing. The foot morphology variables were not related with the presence or absence of acute and overuse injuries. Conversely, older and heavier martial artists, performing more hours of barefoot training, are at higher risk of acute and overuse injury. Athletic trainers should strongly take into account the present information in order to develop more accurate and specific injury prevention programs for martial artists.

Pesquisa ação: práticas de autocuidado das pessoas com pé diabético / Action research: self-care practices of people with diabetic foot

Objetivo: conhecer as práticas de autocuidado das pessoas com pé diabético. Método: Estudo qualitativo, pesquisa ação, com 40 pacientes de uma unidade de Atenção Primária à Saúde. Os dados foram produzidos por meio de entrevista semiestruturada. Para a análise, utilizou-se a Análise de Conteúdo. Resultados: dos discursos, emergiram duas categorias >. Os pacientes sabem que cuidados com os pés são necessários, porém, o autocuidado não é realizado corretamente. As dificuldades baseavam-se no desconhecimento do calçado adequado, no corte correto das unhas e na importância do exame dos pés. Conclusão: a finalidade do conhecimento produzido não foi somente prestar informações e trocar experiências, mas, sobretudo, sensibilizar os pacientes sobre os riscos de complicações nos pés.

Dicas em Saúde: Saúde dos Pés - sapatos

Informações de utilidade pública sobre dicas de saúde de como escolher adequadamente os sapatos.

The Relationship Between Arch Height and Arch FlexibilityA Proposed Arch Flexibility Classification System for the Description of Multidimensional Foot Structure.

BACKGROUND: The correlation between arch structure and injury may be related to the fact that foot structure influences foot function. Foot structure is often defined by arch height, although arch flexibility may be just as important to form a more complete description. We propose an arch flexibility classification system, analogous to arch height classification, and then use the classification system to examine the relationship between arch flexibility and arch height. METHODS: Arch height index was calculated in 1,124 incoming military cadets, of whom 1,056 had usable data. By measuring arch height during both sitting and standing, a measurement of arch flexibility could also be calculated. These values were used to create five arch flexibility categories: very stiff, stiff, neutral, flexible, and very flexible. The distribution of arch flexibility types among arch height categories was statistically compared. RESULTS: The goodness of fit test showed a disproportionate number of each arch flexibility type in each of the arch height categories (P < .01). The largest proportion of cavus feet was very stiff and the smallest proportion was very flexible. Conversely, the largest proportion of planus feet was very flexible and the smallest proportion was very stiff. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this research support the common belief that cavus feet tend to be very stiff and planus feet tend to be very flexible.

The Athletic Shoe in Football.

BACKGROUND: Foot and ankle injuries are common in sports, particularly in cleated athletes. Traditionally, the athletic shoe has not been regarded as a piece of protective equipment but rather as a part of the uniform, with a primary focus on performance and subjective feedback measures of comfort. Changes in turf and shoe design have poorly understood implications on the health and safety of players. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: A literature search of the MEDLINE and PubMed databases was conducted. Keywords included athletic shoewear, cleated shoe, football shoes, and shoewear, and search parameters were between the years 2000 and 2016. STUDY DESIGN: Clinical review. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 5. RESULTS: The athletic shoe is an important piece of protective sports equipment. There are several important structural considerations of shoe design, including biomechanical compliance, cleat and turf interaction, and shoe sizing/fit, that affect the way an athlete engages with the playing surface and carry important potential implications regarding player safety if not understood and addressed. CONCLUSION: Athletic footwear should be considered an integral piece of protective equipment rather than simply an extension of the uniform apparel. More research is needed to define optimal shoe sizing, the effect that design has on mechanical load, and how cleat properties, including pattern and structure, interact with the variety of playing surfaces.

Investigation and identification of factors affecting migrating peasant workers' usage of safety footwear in the Chinese construction industry.

A sample of 300 migrating peasant workers from 15 Chinese building construction sites completed a demographic questionnaire to investigate the usage of safety footwear. The survey form was constructed based on the theory of planned behaviour, and a total of 12 questions focusing on the workers' past experience, attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioural control were included in the survey. It was found that 92% of the participants did not wear safety footwear while working on construction sites, although more than 91% of them believed that safety footwear would protect the foot from injury; none of the participants had been provided free safety footwear by their employer. Regression analysis shows that employers' attitude is the most important factor affecting their usage of safety footwear, 'providing free safety footwear' and 'comfortability of the safety footwear' ranking second and third respectively.

Effect of Vibram FiveFingers Minimalist Shoes on the Abductor Hallucis Muscle.

BACKGROUND: This study investigated the effect of Vibram FiveFingers Bikila minimalist shoes on intrinsic foot musculature. We hypothesized that a gradual transition into minimalist shoes will increase the thickness of the abductor hallucis muscle. METHODS: Forty-one individuals were divided into four groups: control (traditional shod) (n = 9), restricted walking in Vibram FiveFingers (n = 11), running in Vibram FiveFingers (n = 10), and unlimited walking in Vibram FiveFingers (n = 11). At baseline, 12 weeks, and 24 weeks, the thickness of the abductor hallucis muscle was determined using ultrasound. Statistical analysis was performed to determine the significance of differences in muscle thickness at the three different time points. RESULTS: The mean thickness of the abductor hallucis muscle at 24 weeks was significantly greater than that at baseline for the restricted walking (P = .005) and running (P < .001) groups. In the unlimited walking group, the mean thickness of the muscle at 12 weeks was significantly greater than that at baseline (P < .05) but not at 24 weeks. There were no significant differences in muscle thickness among the three time points for the control group (P = .432). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that wearing Vibram FiveFinger Bikila footwear over a controlled period of time, an unlimited amount of time, as well as transitioning runners over a 6-month period of time using the 10% philosophy for increasing mileage, significantly increases intrinsic muscle thickness of the abductor hallucis. The abductor hallucis muscle aids in support of the medial longitudinal arch, and an increase in this muscle thickness may help reduce running-related injuries thought to arise from arch weakness.

Influence of different safety shoes on gait and plantar pressure: a standardized examination of workers in the automotive industry.

OBJECTIVE: Working conditions, such as walking and standing on hard surfaces, can increase the development of musculoskeletal complaints. At the interface between flooring and musculoskeletal system, safety shoes may play an important role in the well-being of employees. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of different safety shoes on gait and plantar pressure distributions on industrial flooring. METHODS: Twenty automotive workers were individually fitted out with three different pairs of safety shoes ( "normal" shoes, cushioned shoes, and midfoot bearing shoes). They walked at a given speed of 1.5 m/s. The CUELA measuring system and shoe insoles were used for gait analysis and plantar pressure measurements, respectively. Statistical analysis was conducted by ANOVA analysis for repeated measures. RESULTS: Walking with cushioned safety shoes or a midfoot bearing safety shoe led to a significant decrease of the average trunk inclination (p<0.005). Furthermore, the average hip flexion angle decreased for cushioned shoes as well as midfoot bearing shoes (p<0.002). The range of motion of the knee joint increased for cushioned shoes. As expected, plantar pressure distributions varied significantly between cushioned or midfoot bearing shoes and shoes without ergonomic components. CONCLUSION: The overall function of safety shoes is the avoidance of injury in case of an industrial accident, but in addition, safety shoes could be a long-term preventive instrument for maintaining health of the employees' musculoskeletal system, as they are able to affect gait parameters. Further research needs to focus on safety shoes in working situations.

[Population impact of a podiatric school health programme]. / Impacto poblacional de un programa de salud escolar podológica.

This article presents an overview of the work done over the past 12 years in a collaboration between the school communities at various primary and secondary schools and the practical experience managers working in the Preventive and Community Podiatry area of the Podiatry degree at the University of Seville (Spain). The article presents several strategies, which were carried out in the fields of Foot Health for All and Preventive and Community Podiatry as part of the Hermes Research Group (CTS-601) aimed at promoting general foot health. Foot examinations were conducted in a total of 4,630 school pupils, with foot problems being confirmed in 677 of them. Some 7,145 members of the school community were also helped, with these people being reached through educational activities around foot care. The aim of the initiative was to prevent foot damage among children, which could have a harmful impact on their quality of life as adults.

Load Carriage-Related Paresthesias: Part 1: Rucksack Palsy and Digitalgia Paresthetica.

This is the first of a two-part article discussing loadcarriage- related paresthesias, including brachial plexus lesions (rucksack palsy), digitalgia paresthetica, and meralgia paresthetica. Paresthesias are sensations of numbness, burning, and/or tingling, usually experienced as a result of nerve injury, compression, traction, or irritation. Rucksack palsy is a traction or compression injury to the brachial plexus, caused by the shoulder straps of the rucksack. The patient presents with paresthesia, paralysis, cramping with pain, and muscle weakness of the upper limb. Muscle-strength losses appear to be greater in those carrying heavier loads. Hypothetical risk factors for rucksack palsy include improper load distribution, longer carriage distances, and load weight. Nerve traction, compression, and symptoms may be reduced by use of a rucksack hip belt; wider, better-padded, and proper adjustment of the shoulder straps; reduction of weight in the rucksack; a more symmetric distribution of the load; and resistance training to improve the strength and hypertrophy of the shoulder muscles. Assessment and neck joint and nerve mobilization may relieve brachial plexus tension and reduce symptoms. Another load-carriage-related disorder is digitalgia paresthetica, likely caused by compression of the sensory digital nerves in the foot during load carriage. Patients have paresthesia in the toes. Although no studies have demonstrated effective prevention measures for digitalgia paresthetica, reducing loads and march distances may help by decreasing the forces and repetitive stress on the foot and lower leg. Specialty evaluations by a physical therapist, podiatrist, or other healthcare provider are important to rule out entrapment neuropathies such as tarsal tunnel syndrome. Part 2 of this article will discuss meralgia paresthetica.