Effect of kinesiotaping, non-elastic taping and bracing on segmental foot kinematics during drop landing in healthy subjects and subjects with chronic ankle instability.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of kinesiotape, non-elastic tape, and soft brace on segmental foot kinematics during drop landing in subjects with chronic ankle instability and healthy subjects. DESIGN: Controlled study with repeated measurements. SETTING: Three-dimensional motion analysis laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty participants with chronic ankle instability and 20 healthy subjects. INTERVENTIONS: The subjects performed drop landings with 17 retroreflective markers on the foot and lower leg in four conditions: barefoot, with kinesiotape, with non-elastic tape and with a soft brace. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Ranges of motion of foot segments using a foot measurement method. RESULTS: In participants with chronic ankle instability, midfoot movement in the frontal plane (inclination of the medial arch) was reduced significantly by non-elastic taping, but kinesiotaping and bracing had no effect. In healthy subjects, both non-elastic taping and bracing reduced that movement. In both groups, non-elastic taping and bracing reduced rearfoot excursion in inversion/eversion significantly, which indicates a stabilisation effect. No such effect was found with kinesiotaping. All three methods reduced maximum plantar flexion significantly. CONCLUSIONS: Non-elastic taping stabilised the midfoot best in patients with chronic ankle instability, while kinesiotaping did not influence foot kinematics other than to stabilise the rearfoot in the sagittal plane. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01810471.

Clinical and MRI results after microfracture of osteochondral lesions of the talus.

PURPOSE: Arthroscopic microfracture (AM) of osteochondral lesions of the talus is used to induce intrinsic refilling of the defect and reduce pain. The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the clinical state after AM and the MRI outcome. METHODS: A total of 22 patients [10 women, 12 men, 31 years old (mean, 13-68 range)] treated for osteochondral lesions of the talus by AM were examined 2 years (median) postoperatively and pre- and postoperative MRI results compared. Swelling/effusion, articular constriction, joint pain, and range of motion restriction were documented. Clinical state was evaluated using the AOFAS hindfoot score. MRI was used to assess the size of the defect, presence of bone marrow edema, cysts and effusion, thickness of repair tissue, and integrity of the cartilage. RESULTS: In all but six cases, the defect was located at the medial shoulder of the talus. The postoperative AOFAS score at follow-up was 87.5 points (median 36-100 points range). Seven patients were free of pain, 11 had "mild, occasional" pain, 1 "moderate daily", and 3 "severe, almost always present" pain (AOFAS). The defect volume was significantly reduced from 377 mm(3) preoperatively (median, interquartile distance: 417 mm(3)) to 249 mm(3) postoperatively (median, IQD: 336 mm(3), p = 0.019, Wilcoxon). In 7 cases, the defect was completely filled, in 11 partially and in 4 only slightly. CONCLUSION: After AM of osteochondral lesions of the talus, 18 of 22 patients had no or mild, occasional pain at 2 years follow-up. On MRI, the lesion volume had been reduced and filling with repair tissue was found.

[Peak torque and proprioception at the ankle of dancers in professional training]. / Kraft und Propriozeption am Sprunggelenk bei Tänzern in der professionellen Ausbildung.

The ankle is a frequent site of injury for dancers. The aim of the controlled study was to examine the proprioceptive and sensorimotor control of the ankle in a group of dancers in professional training and to compare it with persons unused to physical training. The purpose was to investigate whether dance training influences the torque ratio of plantar flexion to dorsiflexion (PF/DF) and the proprioceptive performance compared to controls. 42 dancers (31 f, 11 m) in professional training and 40 sex- and age-matched controls performed a isokinetic peak torque test, a passive angle-reproduction test (Biodex System 3), and a single-limb-standing test. The female dancers showed a significantly higher peak torque ratio PF/DF at 30 degrees/s. The difference between male dancers and the controls did not reach a significant level. The dancers did not demonstrate lower absolute errors in passive angle-reproduction (5 degrees and 25 degrees PF) than controls. In the single-limb-standing test, the dancers achieved significantly better results than controls. Dancers could profit from special training of the dorsiflexors. In view of the balance deficits, coordinative exercises should be integrated into school and recreational sports more frequently.