Characteristics of Foot Pressure Distribution with or without Partial Prosthetic Foot in Transmetartarsal Amputee / 대한족부족관절학회지

PURPOSE: This study was designed to evaluate characteristics of foot pressure distribution with or without partial prosthetic foot in transmetatarsal amputee. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The subjects were 9 transmetatarsal amputees. Foot pressures were measured at hallux, the 1st-5th metatarsal head (MTH), mid-foot, condyle area by F-scan system in amputated or contralateral foot during active walking. RESULTS: In amputated foot, mean peak pressure was greatest in midfoot without prosthetic foot but it was greatest in hindfoot with prosthetic foot. In unaffected foot, although mean peak pressure was higher in hallux, and 1-5th MTH compared to amputated foot, it was greatest in hind foot both with and without prosthetic foot. However, in unaffected foot, mean peak pressure significantly decreased in hallux and 5th MTH after wearing the prosthetic foot. There was a significant difference in mean peak pressure in hallux and 5th MTH between amputated and unaffected foot after wearing prosthetic foot. However, other region had no significant difference with or without prosthetic foot between feet. CONCLUSIONS: The use of partial prosthetic foot tends to shift weight bearing from the heel area to forefoot and could significantly reduce hind foot peak pressure and redistributed to peak pressure. The partial prosthetic foot can also offer the peak pressure to reduction both amputated foot and unaffected foot and help to toe off during walking.

Mean Values and Correlations between Rotational Profiles of Bilateral Lower Extremities in Korean Elderly Men

0OBJECTIVE: To investigate the mean values and correlations between the rotational profiles of bilateral lower extremities in Korean elderly men. METHOD: 100 lower extremities were examined for the rotational profiles of bilateral lower extremities with radiographic examination. RESULTS: The mean values of femoral anteversion, axial rotation of the knee joint, proximal and distal tibial torsion, bimalleolar axis (BMA), and Q angle were 8.72degrees, 0.19degrees, 34.53degrees, 26.25degrees, 20.97degrees, 5.65degrees. In Korean elderly men, the result of tibial torsion and Q angle was smaller than the results of other studies, and the bilateral differences were detected in the measured profiles of lower extremities, except axial rotation of the knee joint. However, all profiles represented a positive correlation between right and left lower extremities. The correlation between proximal tibial torsion and BMA had a positive correlation, But the femoral anteversion and tibial torsion had no correlations among the profiles in Korean elderly men. CONCLUSION: We suspected that Korean elderly healthy men have reduced tibial torsion and more genu varus alignment, and the rotational profiles of lower extremities showed side to side difference, but there were symmetrical tendency. It will be helpful in assessing the evaluation, treating, researching of the musculoskeletal problem in Korean elderly people.

Bone Mineral Density in Men with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between type 2 diabetes mellitus and bone mineral density (BMD), the relationship between the duration of type 2 diabetes and BMD, and the effect of diabetic microangiopathies on BMD. METHOD: 52 men, aged 55~65 years, with type 2 diabetes and 52 men without diabetes were studied and matched by age and body mass index (BMI). The slit-lamp examinations and the nerve conduction studies were used for diagnosing diabetic retinopathies and diabetic peripheral polyneuropathies, respectively. The densitometric studies were carried out in the L1, L2, L3, L4 and total lumbar vertebra, the femoral necks, the trochanters, and total hips using a DEXA densitometer. RESULTS: Diabetic men had BMDs similar to those of the control group. There is no relationship between the duration of diabetes and BMD. BMDs at the trochanters in subjects with diabetic microangiopathies were reduced in comparison with those without diabetic microangiopathies (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The densitometric studies may be helpful to diabetic men with microangiopathies, especially with other osteoporotic risks.