Patellar tendon bearing brace: Combined effect of heel clearance and ankle status on foot plantar pressure

2013 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 34-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Farnaz Alimerzaloo ◽  
Reza V Kashani ◽  
Hassan Saeedi ◽  
Marjan Farzi ◽  
Nader Fallahian

Background: Heel clearance and ankle status (free or locked) are of major determinants affecting peak plantar pressures and contact area in patellar tendon bearing brace and have been separately studied by many researchers. This study investigated the combined effect of ankle status and heel clearance on contact area and peak plantar pressure in different areas of foot (hindfoot, midfoot, and forefoot). Study design: Before–after repeated measurement trial. Methods: Nine healthy male volunteers walked 8 m with normal shoe and four conditions of patellar tendon bearing brace wear. Repeated-measure analysis of variance test was used to compare contact area and plantar pressure changes in three areas of the foot. Results: Application of patellar tendon bearing brace significantly reduced overall plantar pressure and contact area ( p < 0.01). Although both contact area and plantar pressure significantly decreased in hindfoot and midfoot, plantar pressure increased in forefoot area ( p < 0.05). Conclusions: Application of the patellar tendon bearing brace can reduce the overall peak plantar pressure in the foot but increases focal plantar pressure in forefoot. Excessive lifting of the heel seems to minimize the contact area, thus increase focal pressure in forefoot. Overall, plantar pressure seems to be more effectively off-loaded by combining maximum heel clearance and restriction of the ankle joint. Clinical relevance Although effective parameters of patellar tendon bearing brace have been separately addressed in previous studies, no study was found that investigated the combined effect of ankle status and heel clearance. This study investigates the combined effect of these parameters and provides detailed information on clinical application of the patellar tendon bearing brace.

Author(s):  
Zi Di Lim ◽  
Edwin Pheng ◽  
Evelyn Tai Li Min ◽  
Hans Van Rostenberghe ◽  
Ismail Shatriah

Platelets are a primary source of pro- and anti-angiogenic cytokines. However, the evidence of their role in retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is controversial. This retrospective study aimed to compare mean weekly platelet counts between infants with and without ROP over the first 6 weeks of life. A total of 93 infants matched by gestational age and birth weight were recruited (31 with ROP, 62 without ROP). Weekly mean platelet counts and other related risk factors were documented. The repeated measure analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the repeated measure analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) were used to compare mean platelet counts over time between the two groups, with and without adjusting for confounders. We found significant differences in the weekly mean platelet counts of infants with and without ROP over the first 6 weeks of life (p = 0.002). These differences disappeared after adjusting for covariates (p = 0.489). Lower mean platelet counts in ROP infants are not directly related to ROP, but rather to the presence of other risk factors for ROP, such as culture-proven sepsis, blood transfusion and bronchopulmonary dysplasia.


Author(s):  
Samer Mheissen ◽  
Haris Khan ◽  
Mohammed Almuzian ◽  
Emad Eddin Alzoubi ◽  
Nikolaos Pandis

Summary Background In orthodontic trials, longitudinal designs with multiple outcome measurements over time are common. The aim of this epidemiological study was to examine whether optimal statistical analysis approaches have been used in longitudinal orthodontic trials. Methods Pubmed was searched in August 2021 for longitudinal orthodontic trials with at least three time points of outcome assessment published in the 2017–20 period. Study selection and data extraction were done independently and in duplicate. The analysis approaches undertaken were tabulated and associations between study characteristics and the use of optimal analysis or not were assessed using Fisher’s exact test and logistic regression. Results One hundred forty-seven out of 563 unique records were deemed eligible for inclusion. Only 26.50% of these trials used an optimal statistical analysis for longitudinal data where the data structure is accounted for. None of the study characteristics except the statistical significance of the results were associated with the appropriateness of the statistical analysis. The odds of significant results in studies with suboptimal analyses were higher than that in studies with optimal longitudinal analyses (odds ratio: 3.48, 95% confidence interval: 1.62, 7.46, P = 0.001). For the studies with optimal analysis, the most frequent test was repeated-measure analysis of variance (RM-ANOVA). The reporting of the statistical analysis section was suboptimal in the majority of the trials. Conclusion Most longitudinal orthodontic trials are not analysed using optimal statistical approaches. Inferences and interpretation of their results are likely to be compromised.


2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-17
Author(s):  
Martina Đodan ◽  
Tomislav Dubravac ◽  
Sanja Perić

Background and Purpose: Recently raised questions on adaptability of native tree species to climate changes pointed to Douglas-fir as a species suitable for rapid reforestation and increase of stand resistance. The first results on provenance research need to be confirmed in later stages of stand development, so the paper answers the following two questions: (i) are there differences in growth of 14 Douglas-fir provenances still in the fifth decade of stand development, and (ii) which provenances should be used and which omitted from further use in the hilly area of Croatia? Materials and Methods: Productivity of 14 provenances was evaluated on the basis of height, diameter at breast height and volume in the 46th year after planting. Growth dynamics was also statistically analysed using a repeated measure analysis of variance, for which purpose we partially used published data from the 2010. Results: The analysis excluded Castle Rock and Shady Cove (Oregon) provenances due to their low values of all analysed growth indicators, as well as Castle Rock, Elma and Hvidilde provenances due to their high values. Average values of tree volume ranged from 0.53 m3 (Shady Cove) to 2.05 m3 (Castle Rock), while the tallest trees belonged to Elma provenance (29.6 m). Conclusions: Different growth dynamics of provenances were confirmed for later development stage, so further monitoring is still required. Clear guidelines for the selection of provenances for practical forestry distinguish provenances from lower altitudes of the State of Washington, Denmark and Bulgaria as the most productive. Shady Cove and Salmon Arm provenances are not advised to be used in the future.


2003 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 349-353 ◽  
Author(s):  
René E. Weijers ◽  
Geert H.I.M. Walenkamp ◽  
Henk van Mameren ◽  
Alphons G.H. Kessels

We test the premise that peak plantar pressure is located directly under the bony prominences in the forefoot region. The right foot of standing volunteers was examined in three different postures by a CT-scanner. The plantar pressure distribution was simultaneously recorded. The position of the metatarsal heads and the sesamoids could be related to the corresponding local peak plantar pressures. The metatarsal heads 1, 4, and 5 had a significantly different position than the local peak plantar pressures. The average difference in distance between the position of the metatarsal heads and the peak plantar pressure showed a significant correlation: on the medial side the head was located more distally to the local peak plantar pressure, on the lateral side more proximally. The findings suggest that normal plantar soft tissue is able to deflect a load. The observations might improve insight into the function of the normal forefoot and might direct further research on the pathological forefoot and on the design of footwear.


2001 ◽  
Vol 92 (1) ◽  
pp. 99-106 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gary C. Galbraith ◽  
Bernadine Bagasan ◽  
Jane Sulahian

The human brainstem frequency-following response reflects neural activity to periodic auditory stimuli. Responses were simultaneously recorded from one vertically oriented and three horizontally oriented electrode derivations. Nine participants each received a total of 16,000 tone repetitions, 4,000 for each of four stimulus frequencies: 222, 266, 350, and 450 Hz. The responses were digitally filtered, quantified by correlation and spectral analysis, and statistically evaluated by repeated measure analysis of variance. While the various horizontal derivation responses did not differ from each other in latency (values tightly clustered around M = 2.60 msec), the vertical derivation response occurred significantly later ( M = 4.38 msec). The smaller latency for the horizontal responses suggests an origin within the acoustic nerve, while the larger latency for the vertical response suggests a central brainstem origin. The largest response amplitude resulted from gold “tiptrode” electrodes placed in each auditory meatus, suggesting that this electrode derivation provided the most accurate (noninvasive) assessment of short-latency events originating at the level of the auditory nerve.


2009 ◽  
Vol 99 (4) ◽  
pp. 330-338 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph M. Molloy ◽  
Douglas S. Christie ◽  
Deydre S. Teyhen ◽  
Nancy S. Yeykal ◽  
Bradley S. Tragord ◽  
...  

Background: Research addressing the effect of running shoe type on the low- or high-arched foot during gait is limited. We sought 1) to analyze mean plantar pressure and mean contact area differences between low- and high-arched feet across three test conditions, 2) to determine which regions of the foot (rearfoot, midfoot, and forefoot) contributed to potential differences in mean plantar pressure and mean contact area, and 3) to determine the association between the static arch height index and the dynamic modified arch index. Methods: Plantar pressure distributions for 75 participants (40 low arched and 35 high arched) were analyzed across three conditions (nonshod, motion control running shoes, and cushioning running shoes) during treadmill walking. Results: In the motion control and cushioning shoe conditions, mean plantar contact area increased in the midfoot (28% for low arched and 68% for high arched), whereas mean plantar pressure decreased by approximately 30% relative to the nonshod condition. There was moderate to good negative correlation between the arch height index and the modified arch index. Conclusions: Cushioning and motion control running shoes tend to increase midfoot mean plantar contact area while decreasing mean plantar pressure across the low- or high-arched foot. (J Am Podiatr Med Assoc 99(4): 330–338, 2009)


2010 ◽  
Vol 110 (1) ◽  
pp. 224-228 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valeria Zanna ◽  
Ludovica Filippucci ◽  
Maria Chiara Castiglioni

2013 ◽  
Vol 103 (4) ◽  
pp. 306-313 ◽  
Author(s):  
Massimiliano Pau ◽  
Bruno Leban ◽  
Marco Pau

Background: Among other adverse consequences, childhood obesity is known to influence foot structure and functionality. Yet little information is available regarding how the physiologic foot-ground interaction is altered when a localized load is carried, as occurs in the case of schoolbags. We investigated plantar contact area and pressure modifications induced by backpack carriage under actual conditions. We hypothesized that a localized load acting on the body would further increase the already excessive plantar pressure that exists with overweight and obese status. Methods: Seventy overweight and obese schoolchildren aged 6 to 11 years underwent two 30-sec trials on a pressure platform during a regular school day, with and without a backpack. Total and subregion contact areas along with peak plantar pressures were obtained, and results were compared with those of an equal-numbered group of normal-weight schoolchildren. Results: Overweight and obese children generally had larger contact areas and higher peak plantar pressures compared with their normal-weight peers. In overweight and normal-weight participants, the backpack induced a similar generalized increase in contact area and pressures. However, the largest changes were observed in the forefoot, suggesting that load action tends to modify the physiologic pressure patterns. Conclusions: Backpack carriage raises the already elevated peak plantar pressures in overweight children during upright stance and modifies the physiologic pressure patterns. Further investigations are needed to clarify the features of such phenomenon when dynamic activities are performed and to verify the existence of fatigue and overexertion on the foot as well as other possible negative long-term effects. (J Am Podiatr Med Assoc 103(4): 306–313, 2013)


2015 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 621-625 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Piccione ◽  
M. Rizzo ◽  
F. Arfuso ◽  
C. Giannetto ◽  
S. Di Pietro ◽  
...  

Abstract During early post-partum period both neonatal foals and peripartum mares are most susceptible to diseases. The aim of this study was to establish physiologic modifications of leukogram during the first month after foaling in mares and their newborn foals. To this end blood samples were collected from nine mares and nine foals (T0-T10), every three days from the 1st day until the 30th day after foaling. Samples were analysed for white blood cell (WBC) count and differential leucocyte counts. Two-way repeated measure analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed, in postpartum mares WBC showed significant higher values at T0 (9.02±0.76) in respect to other time points, and at T2 (8.08±0.53) and T3 (7.92±0.59) compared to T1 (6.98±0.43), whereas in foals lower WBC values at T0 (6.11±0.49) compared to other experimental periods except T1 (6.90±0.94), and at T1 compared to T8 (7.95±0.61) and T10 (7.90±0.36) were observed. The differential leucocyte counts showed significant modifications in the percentage of neutrophils (π<0.001) and lymphocytes (p<0.001) both in postpartum mares and in foals during the experimental period. Furthermore ANOVA showed significant differences between postpartum mares and foals (P<0.01) in all studied parameters, and between postpartum mares and control mares in WBC and neutrophils values. The obtained results provide suitable information about the influence of foaling on leukogram of periparturient mares and reveal WBC dynamics in newborn foals during the first month post-partum.


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