Foot Dorsal and Plantar Flexion to Enhance Crossing of Tortuous Highly-Calcific Ankle Vessels During Lower Limb Revascularization Procedures: A Technical Note.

PURPOSE: To describe a crossing technique of stenotic/occluded and tortuous highly calcific ankle vessels during complex percutaneous limb salvage intervention in diabetic patients with ischaemic foot ulcers (Rutherford 5 and 6). TECHNIQUE: We propose a simple technique to achieve "straightening" of the tortuous vessel and allow safe devices passage into the foot arteries, Patients were asked to hold their foot in plantar or dorsal flexion, accordingly to the treated artery. If unable to do so, an equipe member executed the manoeuvre on their behalf. RESULTS: The technique was applied in 148 cases, with a success rate of 81% (120/148). No complications related to the manoeuvre were observed. CONCLUSION: Crossing of tortuous distal crural vessels can be challenging in diabetic patients; in our experience, this technique can be a useful tool to obtain a successful recanalization in complex procedures with high risk of failure.

The Zadek calcaneal osteotomy in Haglund's syndrome of the heel: Its effects on the dorsiflexion of the ankle and correlations to clinical and functional scores.

The Zadek osteotomy is a therapeutic option in Haglund' syndrome for patients with a X/Y ratio measurement of the calcaneus under 2.5. We hypothesized that Zadek osteotomy would lead to improvement in ankle dorsiflexion and functional scores. Twenty-two patients (mean age: 48.5 years) with Haglund's syndrome underwent a Zadek osteotomy and were enrolled in a prospective study investigating the proposed hypothesis. Radiological measurements included the X/Y ratio and the pitch angle. Measurements of the dorsiflexion of the ankle, using a hand-made frame, were performed twice by 2 independent observers. Inter and intra classes correlations were calculated. Functional results were assessed using AOFAS, EFAS and EFAS sport. Correlation between ankle dorsiflexion and functional scores were determined using linear regression curves. Our hypothesis was validated with a mean improvement of dorsiflexion of 7.27° (54.98% improvement from pre-operative measurement) (p < 0.0001). Ankle dorsiflexion measurements were highly reproducible with an interclass correlation coefficient(ICC)> 0.95 (0.98-0.99). All mean values of functional scores were significantly improved(p < 0.05) [AOFAS (61.95-94), EFAS (14-21.82), EFAS sport (7.68-13.69)] and were strongly correlated to the dorsiflexion values with a coefficient of determination of 0.82 for AOFAS and EFAS and of 0.86 for EFAS sport, respectively. The mean values of X/Y ratio and pitch angle improved from pre to postoperative conditions, 2.18-2.75 and 28.95-19.77° (p < 0.05), respectively. The angle correction obtained from modifiying the shape of the calcaneus, due to the Zadek osteotomy, confirms it as a safe and reliable treatment, with improvements of both ankle dorsiflexion and functional scores.

Tratamiento del equinismo con yesos progresivos / Treatment of equinus with serial casting

Introducción El pie equino en niños produce un patrón de marcha inestable e ineficiente y un inadecuado posicionamiento en silla de ruedas. El tratamiento mediante ciclo de yesos seriados mantiene el rango de movimiento, facilitando el desarrollo de patrones de movimiento normales. Su uso combinado con toxina botulínica tiene efectos beneficiosos demostrados, pero faltan pautas para establecer el protocolo de tratamiento óptimo. Objetivo Describir las características de la población con equinismo de diversa etiología y determinar la efectividad del tratamiento con yesos. Valorar su uso junto con toxina botulínica en pacientes con parálisis cerebral espástica. Material y método Estudio analítico longitudinal retrospectivo sobre una muestra de 95 tendones de Aquiles de niños atendidos en consulta de rehabilitación infantil entre 2012 y 2018, con flexión dorsal de tobillo menor de 10°, tratados mediante ciclo de yesos con o sin toxina botulínica. Variables analizadas: sexo, año de comienzo, edad, IMC, diagnóstico, tratamiento previo y/o posterior, espasticidad (Ashworth modificada), lateralidad, rango articular pasivo y activo de flexión dorsal y plantar junto con R1 (escala de Tardieu). Mediciones realizadas con inclinómetro mecánico antes del primer, segundo y tercer yeso, tras el tercer yeso y a los 2, 8 y 14 meses. Fue analizado estadísticamente mediante SPSS. Resultados Existe una mejora estadísticamente significativa de 10,02° (p<0,01) entre flexión dorsal pasiva previa al primer yeso y tras el tercero, manteniéndose en 6,66° (p=0,02) entre la previa y a los 14 meses. Conclusiones Los yesos progresivos son un método efectivo en el control del equinismo de cualquier etiología, con una tasa mínima de complicaciones (AU)

Introduction Equinus in children produces a pattern of unsteady gait and inefficient and inadequate positioning in the wheelchair. Treatment with a serial casting cycle maintains range of motion and facilitates the development of normal movement patterns. Its use in combination with botulinum toxin has proven benefits, but there is a lack of guidance on the optimal management protocol. Objective The aim of this study were to describe the characteristics of the population with equinus of diverse aetiology and to determine the effectiveness of treatment with serial casting. We also aimed to assess its use in conjunction with botulinum toxin in patients with spastic cerebral palsy. Material and method This longitudinal retrospective study included a sample of 95 Achilles tendons of children attended in a children's rehabilitation clinic between 2012 and 2018, with ankle dorsal flexion less than 10°, treated by a cycle of serial casts with or without botulinum toxin. The variables analysed were sex, year when treatment started, age, BMI, diagnosis, previous and/or later treatment, spasticity (modified Ashworth), laterality, active and passive joint range of dorsal and plantar flexion along with R1 (Tardieu). Measurements were carried out with a mechanical inclinometer prior to the first, second and third cast, after the third cast and at 2, 8 and 14 months. The statistical analysis was performed with SPSS®. Results There was a statistically significant improvement of 10.02° between passive dorsal flexion prior to the first cast and after the third cast, which remained at 6.66° (P=.02) between the former and after 14 months. Conclusions Serial casting is an effective method in the management of equinus of any aetiology and has a minimal complication rate (AU)

[Treatment of equinus with serial casting]. / Tratamiento del equinismo con yesos progresivos.

INTRODUCTION: Equinus in children produces a pattern of unsteady gait and inefficient and inadequate positioning in the wheelchair. Treatment with a serial casting cycle maintains range of motion and facilitates the development of normal movement patterns. Its use in combination with botulinum toxin has proven benefits, but there is a lack of guidance on the optimal management protocol. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study were to describe the characteristics of the population with equinus of diverse aetiology and to determine the effectiveness of treatment with serial casting. We also aimed to assess its use in conjunction with botulinum toxin in patients with spastic cerebral palsy. MATERIAL AND METHOD: This longitudinal retrospective study included a sample of 95 Achilles tendons of children attended in a children's rehabilitation clinic between 2012 and 2018, with ankle dorsal flexion less than 10°, treated by a cycle of serial casts with or without botulinum toxin. The variables analysed were sex, year when treatment started, age, BMI, diagnosis, previous and/or later treatment, spasticity (modified Ashworth), laterality, active and passive joint range of dorsal and plantar flexion along with R1 (Tardieu). Measurements were carried out with a mechanical inclinometer prior to the first, second and third cast, after the third cast and at 2, 8 and 14 months. The statistical analysis was performed with SPSS®. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant improvement of 10.02° between passive dorsal flexion prior to the first cast and after the third cast, which remained at 6.66° (P=.02) between the former and after 14 months. CONCLUSIONS: Serial casting is an effective method in the management of equinus of any aetiology and has a minimal complication rate.

Ankle Plantar and Dorsal Flexor Muscles Strength in Healthy Young Adults / 中国运动医学杂志

The purposes of this study were: (1) to test healthy young adults' ankle plantar and dorsal flexor muscles strength, providing integrate data and scientific basis for sports training, sports injury and recovery. (2) to investigate the biomechanical rule of healthy adults' ankle plantar and dorsal flexor muscles. Methods: 70 college students (35males and 35 females) volunteerily took part in the test. An advanced Cybex-6000 dynamometer was employed. This test consisted of two sections, isokinetic concentric (CON) test and isometric test. Results: males and females adults' ankle dorsal flexor isometric peak torque (PT) increased and plantar flexor isometric PT decreased with the increasing of testing angle. CON PT decreased while the test angle velocities increased. Plantar flexor PT were higher than corresponding dorsal flexor in two tests ( P