OBJECTIVE: To find out the changes of the plantar pressure distribution of foot and the pathway of center of pressure (COP) in normal preschool children with age. METHOD: Thirty-eight normal children aged 1 to 6 were participated in this study. We divided into three groups according to the age. Foot contact area, pressure of the foot and pathway of COP were measured using F-scan in-shoe measuring system (Tekscan Inc.) during the gait. RESULTS: The ratio of midfoot contact width to forefoot contact width was decreased with age (p<0.05). And the relative pressure of the medial midfoot was decreased with age (p<0.05). In the analysis of COP, the ratio of anteroposterior length of COP to total contact length was significantly increased (p<0.05), and the ratio of mediolateral width of COP to forefoot contact width was tend to decrease. CONCLUSION: We can identify the characteristics and changes of the foot pressure distribution and the pathway of COP in preschool children with normal foot using F-scan system. These quantitative data of foot scan are useful for evaluating the foot pathology in preschool children during the gait.
Child ; Child, Preschool* ; Foot* ; Gait* ; Humans ; Pathology

BACKGROUND: The use of three-dimensional multi-segment foot models (3D MFMs) is increasing since they have superior ability to illustrate the effect of foot and ankle pathologies on intersegmental motion of the foot compared to single-segment foot model gait analysis. However, validation of the repeatability of the 3D MFMs is important for their clinical use. Although many MFMs have been validated in normal adults, research on MFM repeatability in children is lacking. The purpose of this study is to validate the intrasession, intersession, and interrater repeatability of an MFM with a 15-marker set (DuPont foot model) in healthy children. METHODS: The study included 20 feet of 20 healthy children (10 boys and 10 girls). We divided the participants into two groups of 10 each. One group was tested by the same operator in each test (intersession analysis), while the other group was tested by a different operator in each test (interrater analysis). The multiple correlation coefficient (CMC) and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) were calculated to assess repeatability. The difference between the two sessions of each group was assessed at each time point of gait cycle. RESULTS: The intrasession CMC and ICC values of all parameters showed excellent or very good repeatability. The intersession CMC of many parameters showed good or better repeatability. Interrater CMC and ICC values were generally lower for all parameters than intrasession and intersession. The mean gaps of all parameters were generally similar to those of the previous study. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated that 3D MFM using a 15-marker set had high intrasession, intersession, and interrater repeatability in the assessment of foot motion in healthy children but recommend some caution in interpreting the hindfoot parameters.
Adult ; Ankle ; Child* ; Foot* ; Gait ; Humans ; Pathology

OBJECTIVETo study the clinical and pathologic features of tumors and tumor-like lesions in the bones of hands and feet.

METHODSClinical, X-ray and pathologic features of 154 cases of tumors and tumor-like lesions in the bones of hands and feet between 1991 and 2002 were investigated.

RESULTSIn the bones of hands and feet the frequency and distribution of many lesions were distinctive when compared to those of other skeletal sites. Cartilaginous lesions were most common (60%), and 72% of them were enchondromas. Enchondromas were most often situated in the second to fifth phalanges and metacarpal bones. Chondroblastomas most frequently involved the irregular bones (such as calcaneus, talus and osnaviculare) of the feet. Whereas the occurance of osteochondromas in the bones of the hands and feet was lower than in the long bones. Most "osteochondromas" of the phalanges were subungual exostoses. A group of reactive or reparative lesions, which are related to trauma, such as subungual exostosis, giant cell reparative granuloma, florid reactive periostitis and bizarre parosteal osteochondromatous proliferations typically occurred in the bones of the hands and feet, but these tumor-like lesions were often misdiagnosted. Another feature of lesions in the bones of the hands and feet was that there were much more benign than malignant lesions (21:1), and that chondrosarcomas were common in malignancies. The diagnostic criteria for benign and malignant cartilaginous tumors in the bones of hands and feet were different from those in long bones and flat bones.

CONCLUSIONSBone tumors of the hands and feet are different from that of long bones, flat bones and axial bones. Because the hands and feet are frequently exposed to trauma, reactive and reparative lesions often occur in these sites. These tumor-like lesions may simulate benign and malignant neoplasia. Knowledge of different types of lesions which commonly affect these sites is of benefit in assessing lesions of the bones of hands and feet.

Bone Neoplasms ; pathology ; Cartilage ; pathology ; Chondroblastoma ; pathology ; Chondroma ; pathology ; Chondrosarcoma ; pathology ; Foot ; Hand ; Humans ; Osteochondroma ; pathology

Foot ; pathology ; Giant Cell Tumors ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Tendons ; pathology

The classification system of diabetic foot not only helps to assess the wound, but it also can be used to predict the outcome of diabetic foot ulcer in the early stage, dynamically monitor the changes in the wound, and rationally direct the therapeutic schedule. At present, there are diverse systems for classifying the diabetic foot, but none has been internationally recognized. The classification systems can be categorized by time sequence, research objective, or structure type. When one of the classification systems is chosen, it is still very important to take the population, facility, and research type into consideration.
Diabetic Foot ; classification ; pathology ; Humans ; Severity of Illness Index ; Wound Healing

Chronic wounds pose a clinical challenge. Such wounds may present all over the body although the majority appear on the lower extremities. In the main, wounds are caused by hypertension (venous or arterial), diabetes, although infection, trauma, and animal bites can result in non-healing wounds. It is vital to have a reliable diagnosis in order to plan treatment. Despite advances in diagnostics and the development of standard care packages, chronic wounds present a growing burden to all societies. One of the problems faced is the poor understanding of the pathophysiology of wounds; it is commonly accepted that microcirculation is impaired in lower extremity chronic wounds. This paper is focused on the significance and assessment of impaired microcirculation.
Diabetic Foot ; pathology ; Humans ; Microcirculation ; Wound Healing ; physiology

This study describes five bilateral anatomical variations in the feet of a 97-year-old male cadaver. Following routine dissection, all variants were measured and documented. Three accessory tendons and two accessory ossicles were identified. Bilateral accessory tendons were present from the tibialis anterior (type II), peroneus tertius (type III), and peroneus brevis muscles. Accessory tendon length was 36–104 mm and width was 1–3 mm each inserting more distally then the main tendon. Accessory ossicles were identified as an accessory navicular and os peroneum, respectively. Individually, each variation has varying prevalence rates in the literature, but to date, no known studies have been published describing the combined presence of all five bilateral variations. The acknowledgement of multi-variant cases such as this one may be helpful in the clinical setting, particularly for patients with pathology or for those undergoing foot and ankle surgery.
Ankle ; Cadaver ; Foot ; Humans ; Male ; Muscles ; Pathology ; Prevalence ; Tendons

The Clufoot is still controversial in the etiology, the pathology, and the method of the treatment. Turco issued one stage posteromedial soft tissue release in 1971, which is still widely used. But the Turco's procedure is not satisfactory results in forefoot adduction and ankle motion. McKay and Simon were performed one stage complete subtalar soft tissue release and reported better results compared with those who had posteromedial release. So we performed Turco's posteromedial release with lateral release by Cincinnati incision in 12 patients (20 feet) and analysis the results from Oct. 1987 to Jul. 1989 at the department of orthopaedic surgery of CNUH. The results were as followings ; 1. The mean age of the patient at first examination was 1 year 9 months (range from at birth to 5 year 10 months) and the mean age at operation was 2 year 1 month (range from 4 months to 5 year 10 months). 2. The clinical results were excellent in 2 feet, good in 14 feet, fair in 3 feet and unsatisfactory in 1 foot. 3. The radiological results were satisfactory in 18 feet and unsatisfactory in 2 feet. 4. Forefoot adduction was corrected in 14 feet (70%) as normal range, 3 feet as acceptable, and 3 feet as unacceptable 10' over the normal range. 5. Two feet of hind foot overcorrection result was operation as McKay's method. 6. The Clincinnati incision was favorable to visulization and release of the posteromedial, anteromedial and posterolateral structure of the foot.
Ankle ; Clubfoot ; Foot ; Humans ; Methods ; Parturition ; Pathology ; Reference Values

OBJECTIVE: To explore the distribution of inflammatory cells and positive expression of P-se- lectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1) in infant brainstem tissue from hand-foot-mouth disease related fatal brainstem encephalitis. METHODS: Twenty brainstem samples from infants suffered from brainstem en- cephalitis were collected as the experimental group. Ten brainstem samples from infants died of non- brain diseases and injuries were collected as the control group. The distribution of inflammatory cells and the expression of PSGL-1 in the two groups were examined by immunohistochemical method. The characteristics of the positive cells were observed. RESULTS: In brainstem tissue of the experimental group, there were sleeve infiltrations of inflammatory cells around the vessels and in the glial nodule. Microglia was the most and following was neutrophils around the vessels and in the glial nodule. There was a significant statistical difference among microglias, neutrophils and lymphocytes (P < 0.05). There was no sleeve infiltration in the control group. PSGL-1 protein was expressed widely in inflammatory cells in the experimental group, especially in the inflammatory cells around the vessels and in the glial nodule. But PSGL-1 positive staining could be observed significantly less in the control group comparing with the experimental group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Microglia is the main type of inflammatory cells involved in the progress of the fatal disease. Moreover, PSGL-1 could participate in the pathogenesis of hand-foot-mouth disease related fatal brainstem encephalitis.
Brain Stem/pathology* ; Encephalitis/pathology* ; Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease/pathology* ; Humans ; Infant ; Membrane Glycoproteins/metabolism* ; Microglia/pathology* ; Neutrophils/pathology*

BACKGROUNDThe choice for the surgical approach of interdigital neuroma in the foot is controversial. Plantar approach can leave a painful scar on weight bearing area; hence, some prefer dorsal approach. The aim of the current study was to measure the outcome of interdigital (Morton's) neurectomy performed by a single surgeon using dorsal and plantar approaches.

METHODSA retrospective review of the patient records of one orthopaedic foot and ankle surgeon identified thirty-six patients (42 feet) who had been treated operatively for a primary, persistently painful interdigital neuroma. The mean follow-up was 18 months. Pain, weight bearing, wound problems and rehabilitation period were studied.

RESULTSThe duration to full weight bearing, return to work, driving and recreational activities were at least one week shorter in the dorsal group. The overall satisfaction for surgery was rated as excellent or good in 85% of the thirty six patients. Scar problems were more troublesome and common in the plantar group. There was residual numbness noticed in twenty feet, the pattern of numbness was quite variable and it was bothersome in only seven feet. There was one recurrence in the plantar group.

CONCLUSIONSResection of a symptomatic interdigital neuroma through a dorsal or a plantar approach can result in a good outcome. Dorsal approach, however, is associated with better rehabilitation and less scar problems.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Foot ; pathology ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Foot Diseases ; pathology ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neuroma ; pathology ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Weight-Bearing