Ankle sprains are orthopedic clinical common disease, accounting for joint ligament sprain of the first place. If treatment is not timely or appropriate, the joint pain and instability maybe develop, and even bone arthritis maybe develop. The mechanism of injury of ankle joint, anatomical basis has been fully study at present, and the diagnostic problem is very clear. Along with the development of science and technology, biological modeling and three-dimensional finite element, three-dimensional motion capture system,digital technology study, electromyographic signal study were used for the basic research of sprain of ankle. Biomechanical and kinematic study of ankle sprain has received adequate attention, combined with the mechanism research of ankle sprain,and to explore the the biomechanics and kinematics research progress of the sprain of ankle joint.
Ankle Injuries ; physiopathology ; Ankle Joint ; physiopathology ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Finite Element Analysis ; Humans ; Sprains and Strains ; physiopathology

OBJECTIVETo observe the efficacy differences between electroacupuncture and physiotherapy on the proprioception of athletes with functional ankle instability (FAD.

METHODSFifty athletes with FAI were randomly divided into an electroacupuncture group and a physiotherapy group. The electroacupuncture group was treated with electroacupuncture at Jiexi (ST 41), Kunlun (BL 60), Qiuxu (GB 40) and Ashi acupoints, and the physiotherapy group was treated with low frequency electrical stimulation and infrared radiation at medial malleolus and lateral malleolus, thrice each week for consecutive 8 weeks. The Joint Position Sense: Active (JPSA), Joint Position Sense: Passive (JPSP) and Kinaesthesia (KT) were assessed at the ankle by use of Biodex System-III isokinetic dynamometer.

RESULTSThe JPSA of 11.090 +/- 3.1 degrees and the JPSP of 9.67 degrees +/- 2.8 degrees before the treatment reduced to 9.14 degrees +/- 4.0 degrees and 6.89 degrees +/- 3.3 degrees, respectively, after the treatment in the electroacupuncture group, with significant differences in JPSA and JPSP (both P < 0.05), compared with those in the physiotherary group, there were significant differences (both P < 0.05) and with no significant difference in KT (P > 0.05). There was no significant differences in the indices of JPSA, JPSP and KT in the physiotherapy group after 8 weeks than those before treatment (all P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONElectroacupuncture can effectively improve the proprioception of athletes with FAI and achieves a superior efficacy as compared with the conventional physiotherapy.

Adult ; Ankle Injuries ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Ankle Joint ; physiopathology ; Athletes ; Electroacupuncture ; Female ; Humans ; Joint Instability ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Male ; Proprioception ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: To propose a kind of robotic ankle-foot rehabilitation system for children with cerebral palsy and to preliminarily verify its feasibility in clinical application. METHODS: A robot assisted ankle-foot rehabilitation system was specially designed and developed for children with cerebral palsy and a preliminary clinical study was conducted in Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Peking University First Hospital. Modified Tardieu Scale and joint biomechanical properties (ankle plantar flexion resistance torque under different ankle dorsiflexion angles) were measured to analyze the muscle tone and soft tissue compliance of the ankle plantar flexors pre- and post-robotic training intervention. Six children with cerebral palsy (4 girls and 2 boys, mean age: 7 years) were recruited in this study. Each subject received 5 session robotic training and each session included 10-cycle passive stretching and static hold. SPSS 19.0 software was used for data statistical analysis. RESULTS: Both R1 and R2 angles of Modified Tardieu Scale for ankle plantar flexors after training were significantly higher than those before the treatments (Gastrocnemius: P_R1=0.003, P_R2=0.029; Soleus: P_R1=0.002, P_R2=0.034). The difference between R2 and R1 was of no statistical difference before and after the training (P=0.067 and P=0.067, respectively). After training, the ankle plantar flexion resistance torque under different dorsiflexion angles (0°, 10°, 20°, 30°) were significantly reduced than those before training (P=0.001, P=0.001, P=0.014, P=0.002, respectively). CONCLUSION The robot assisted ankle-foot rehabilitation system can improve the contracture and soft tissue compliance of cerebral palsy children's ankle plantar flexors. All the children in the study were well tolerated and interested with the training, easy to accept and cooperate with it. This device may be suitable for application in the rehabilitation of children with cerebral palsy. However, further randomized clinical trials with larger sample size are still needed to verify the long term efficacy of this device.
Ankle ; Ankle Joint/physiopathology* ; Cerebral Palsy/rehabilitation* ; Child ; Contracture/rehabilitation* ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Muscle, Skeletal ; Robotics

BACKGROUNDRestoration of both normal movement of the pelvis and centre of mass is a primary goal of walking rehabilitation in post-stroke patients because these movements are essential components of effective gait. The aim of this study is to quantitatively analyze the effect of ankle-foot orthosis on walking ability, and to investigate the correlation between improvements in trunk motion and walking capacity.

METHODSWalking speed, centre of mass displacement, and pelvic movements were examined in 20 post-stroke hemiparetic patients with and without ankle-foot orthosis using three-dimensional motion analysis.

RESULTSUsing ankle-foot orthosis improved walking speed, pelvic rotation and tilt, and lateral and vertical displacements of the centre of mass (P < 0.01). Moreover, the gait asymmetry index was significantly decreased (P < 0.01), and the Functional Ambulation Categories score improved significantly when patients used an ankle-foot orthosis (P < 0.05). There was significant correlation between improvements in the walking capacity and the displacement of the centre of mass in both vertical and lateral directions (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSUsing ankle-foot orthosis improves the walking capacity by improving the stability and concordant of the trunk in hemiplegic patients. The improvement in the walking capacity from using an ankle-foot orthosis may be attributed to its prevention of foot drop and compensation for the instability of the ankle joint.

Adult ; Aged ; Ankle ; physiology ; physiopathology ; Ankle Joint ; physiology ; physiopathology ; Female ; Foot Orthoses ; Gait ; physiology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Stroke ; physiopathology ; Walking ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo study the influence of distal tibiofibular synostosis on ankle function.

METHODSFrom October 1998 to October 2004, a total of 281 consecutive patients underwent operations because of ankle fractures or distal fractures of the tibia and fibula. Distal tibiofibular synostosis occurred after operation in 8 patients. The duration of follow-up averaged 20.6 months (14-44 months). The ankle function was assessed on the basis of functional rating system described by Mazur.(1)

RESULTSAccording to Mazur's ankle evaluation system, 4 patients achieved an excellent result, 2 a good result and 2 a fair result. The dorsiflexion of the synostosis ankle reduced by 8.26 degrees as compared with that of the contralateral ankle, and there was little influence on the plantar flexion. All the patients had a normal gait.

CONCLUSIONThe distal tibiofibular synostosis after the operation of ankle fractures or distal fractures of the tibia and fibula usually gives rise to few symptoms and needs no specific treatment.

Adult ; Ankle Injuries ; physiopathology ; Ankle Joint ; physiopathology ; Female ; Fracture Healing ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore therapeutic effects of bone setting manipulation for the treatment of over degree II supination-eversion fractures of ankle,and analyze manipulative reduction mechanism.

METHODSFrom 2005 to 2008, 95 patients with over degree II supination-eversion fractures of ankle were treated respectively by manipulation and operation. There were 43 cases [11 males and 32 females with an average age of (44.95 +/- 12.65) years] in manipulation group, and 2 cases were degree II, 11 cases were degree III, and 30 cases were degree IV. There were 52 cases [21 males and 31 females with an average age of (39.96 +/- 13.28) years] in operative group,and 6 cases were degree II, 18 cases were degree III, and 28 cases were degree IV. Bone setting manipulation and hard splint external fixation were applied to manipulative group. Operative reduction internal fixation was performed in operative group. X-ray was used to evaluate reduction of fracture before and after treatment, 2 months after treatment. Ankle joint function was evaluated according to Olerud-Molander scoring system after 6 months treatment.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up with good reduction. Three cases occurred wound complication in operative group, but not in manipulative group. In manipulation group, 19 cases got excellent results, 20 cases good and 4 cases fair; while in operative group, 30 cases got excellent results, 20 cases good and 2 cases poor. There were no significant differences in fracture reduction and ankle joint function recovery between two groups (P > 0.05). Efficacy of operative treatment was better than that of manipulative treatment at degree IV fracture (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONBone setting manipulation is a good method for treating supination-eversion ankle joint fractures, which has advantages of simple and safe operation, reliable efficacy. For ankle join fracture at degree IV, manipulative reduction should be adopted earlier, and operative treatment also necessary

Adult ; Ankle Injuries ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Ankle Joint ; physiology ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Fractures, Bone ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Manipulation, Orthopedic ; methods ; Supination

According to the pulse-wave theory, the authors developed a new non-invasive instrument for measuring arterial elastic function. It collects the pulse waveforms from the arteries of four limbs as well as from the radial arteries of carpus. After signal pre-processing, it calculates the arterial elastic parameters by the pre-prepared algorithm and program. Individual parameters such as pulse wave velocity (PWV), ankle-brachial index (ABI), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and heart rate (HR)can be obtained. At the same time, a series of clinical trials were conducted with reference to PWV and ABI, which confirmed the validity, accuracy and reliability of the instrument. The instrument can be used to determine the differences between cardiovascular patients and normal persons, as well as the extent of atherosclerosis. At the same time it can reflect the situation of vascular obstruction and screen the peripheral arterial disease. Therefore, it is of some value to the epidemiological study, prevention and early detection of cardiovascular disease.
Aging ; physiology ; Ankle ; blood supply ; Arteries ; physiopathology ; Arteriosclerosis ; physiopathology ; Blood Pressure ; physiology ; Brachial Artery ; physiopathology ; Elasticity ; physiology ; Humans ; Hypertension ; physiopathology ; Pulsatile Flow ; physiology ; Pulse ; Systole

We measured the ankle-brachial index (ABI) and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) and ABI in 97 ischemic stroke patients and 93 control subjects to investigate the relationship between baPWV, ABI and risk factors of ischemic stroke. The stroke patients were grouped according to the results of MRA and Carotid artery color Doppler ultrasound. The correlation of baPWV and ABI to the arteriosclerosis was discussed. There was a significant difference in the patients with hypertension, diabetes mellitus, baPWV and ABI between ischemic stroke patients and control subjects. baPWV was the most sensitive risk factor for ischemic stroke. ABI and diabetes mellitus were the relatively sensitive risk factors for ischemic stroke. baPWV were found to have a positive correlation with common carotid arteriosclerosis (gamma=0.215, P=0.048), while ABI had a negative correlation with intracranial arteriosclerosis (gamma=-0.237, P<0.05). BaPWV and ABI may closely relate to severity of ischemic stroke. Simple measurements of baPWV and ABI in patients could be a useful tool for evaluating the risk of ischemic stroke.
Aged ; Ankle ; blood supply ; Ankle Brachial Index ; Arteriosclerosis ; physiopathology ; Blood Flow Velocity ; Brachial Artery ; physiopathology ; Brain ; blood supply ; pathology ; Brain Ischemia ; complications ; Carotid Arteries ; physiopathology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pulsatile Flow ; Pulse ; Risk Factors ; Stroke ; diagnosis ; etiology ; physiopathology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effects of arthroscopic debridement for acute gouty arthritis of the ankle.

METHODSForty-one patients with acute gouty arthritis of the ankle were treated under arthroscopy from January 2010 to June 2012. All the patients were male, age in ranging from 28 to 69 years with an average of 43 years. Eighteen patients were in the left ankles and 23 in the right ankles; 12 cases were firstly attack and 29 cases were recurrent attack. Course of disease was from 2 weeks to 30 months. The American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle-Hindfoot Scale score was used to evaluate the clinical effects. Number of acute attacks of gouty arthritis were observed.

RESULTSAll the patients were followed up at least 12 months. The mean AOFAS Ankle-Hindfoot Scale score increased from 58.44 +/- 9.45 preoperatively to 86.15 +/- 7.36, 83.41 +/- 9.22, 84.10 +/- 8.22 postoperatively at 6, 12, months and the last follow-up respectively. Swelling of the ankle were improved significantly, pain was relieved and the mean number of acute attacks of gouty arthritis decreased significantly.

CONCLUSIONArthroscopy is helpful for the diagnosis of acute gouty arthritis of the ankle and improvement of clinical symptoms and ankle function.

Adult ; Aged ; Ankle Joint ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Arthritis, Gouty ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Arthroscopy ; Debridement ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the short-term effects of ankle joint replacement for the patients with hemophilic arthritis. To find out the main points for improving the joint function and the patients' life quality. To accumulate more experience for clinical treatment.

METHODSThe Kofoed evaluation system and the AOFAS evaluation system were used to follow-up 6 hemophilic patients with ankle arthritis (6 males, ranging in age from 23 to 57 years, with an average of 41.2 years), who were treated with ankle joint replacement from 2004.7 to 2007.7. The scores before operation, and the 6th,12th months after operation were compared.

RESULTSThe Kofoed evaluation system showed the joint replacement significantly improved the scores for relieving pain, joint function, range of motion and the total score (P<0.05). Except the score for relieving pain, the other three also had significant differences between the 6th month and the 12th month after the operation (P<0.05). Compared with each details of the joint function, there was significant improvement before and after the operation (P<0.05). The ankle got more extended range of motion in the 12th month after operation than the 6th month (P<0.05). The AOFAS evaluation system showed the joint replacement significantly improved the scores for relieving pain, joint function, X-ray measurement and the total score (P<0.05). There was no differences between the 6th month after operation and the 12th month in the results for relieving pain and the X-ray measurement (P>0.05). However, the joint function and the total score had significant differences (P<0.05). Compared with each details of the joint function, there was also significant improvement before and after the operation (P< 0.05), and the walk distance, as well as the joint flexion and extension activities, had differences between the 6th month and the 12th month after the operation. Both of the two evaluation system showed the operation could get good curative effects (P< 0.05), and the artificial joint could constantly be in good condition from the 6th month to the 12th month after operation (P> 0.05).

CONCLUSIONIn this short-term observation, the joint replacement can significantly improve the life quality for the hemophilic patients with ankle arthritis.

Adult ; Ankle Joint ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Arthritis ; etiology ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Arthroplasty, Replacement ; methods ; Hemophilia A ; complications ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged