Inter-segmental motions of the foot: differences between younger and older healthy adult females.

BACKGROUND: Although accumulative evidence exists that support the applicability of multi-segmental foot models (MFMs) in evaluating foot motion in various pathologic conditions, little is known of the effect of aging on inter-segmental foot motion. The objective of this study was to evaluate differences in inter-segmental motion of the foot between older and younger adult healthy females during gait using a MFM with 15-marker set. METHODS: One hundred symptom-free females, who had no radiographic evidence of osteoarthritis, were evaluated using MFM with 15-marker set. They were divided into young (n = 50, 20-35 years old) and old (n = 50, 60-69 years old) groups. Coefficients of multiple correlations were evaluated to assess the similarity of kinematic curve. Inter-segmental angles (hindfoot, forefoot, and hallux) were calculated at each gait phase. To evaluate the effect of gait speed on intersegmental foot motion, subgroup analysis was performed according to the similar speed of walking. RESULTS: Kinematic curves showed good or excellent similarity in most parameters. Range of motion in the sagittal (p < 0.001) and transverse (p = 0.001) plane of the hallux, and sagittal (p = 0.023) plane of the forefoot was lower in older females. The dorsiflexion (p = 0.001) of the hallux at terminal stance and pre-swing phases was significantly lower in older females. When we compared young and older females with similar speed, these differences remained. CONCLUSIONS: Although the overall kinematic pattern was similar between young and older females, reduced range of inter-segmental motion was observed in the older group. Our results suggest that age-related changes need to be considered in studies evaluating inter-segmental motion of the foot.

Clinical Observations on Needle Knife Treatment for Knee Meniscus Injury / 上海针灸杂志

ObjectiveTo observe andanalyze the clinical efficacy of needle knife treatment for knee meniscus injury from improving knee biomechanical balance and to provide a therapeutic basis and method for clinical practice.MethodOne hundred patients (112 knees) with knee meniscus injury meeting the inclusion criteria were allocated, in order of visits, to observation and control groups, 50 cases each. They were treated with a needle knife and an injection of sodium hyaluronate injectio into knee joint cavity, respectively. Changes in the indices were observed and assessed in the two groups by recording the plantar pressure analysis score and the knee function score before and after treatment and at follow-up. The clinical therapeutic effects were evaluated in the two groups.ResultThemaximum load, time integral difference value and load ratio around the knee joint decreased significantly in both observation and control groups after treatment and at follow-up (P<0.05). The regulating effect on knee joint force balance was better in theneedle knife group than in the control group (P<0.05). The improving effect on knee joint function was significantly better in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.01). The excellence rate was significantly higher in the observation groupthan in the control group after treatment and at follow-up (P<0.05).ConclusionNeedle knife treatment restores the function of the knee joint by loosing focal soft tissues around the knee joint, improving knee joint load imbalance and correcting the mechanical equilibrium around the knee joint in patient with knee meniscus injury. It has a definite curative effect on the disease.