Kinematic Analysis of the Coupling Between Calcaneal Eversion and Ankle Dorsiflexion in a Contemporary Dancer’s Demi-Plié

2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-53
Author(s):  
Anna Schrefl ◽  
Rolf van de Langenberg ◽  
Andrea Schärli

BACKGROUND: Dancing requires a high range of motion in the foot as well as a good shock-absorbing system formed by the foot and ankle joints. Although there is a broad consensus in dance that excessive calcaneal eversion can cause injury and should be avoided, calcaneal eversion is discussed controversially in the dance literature. An increased research focus on the biomechanics of dance, particularly research pertaining to the foot and ankle joints, might help to resolve this controversy. OBJECTIVES: The study’s main purpose was to generate hitherto lacking kinematic data of calcaneal eversion in a dancer’s demi-plié. METHODS: Thirty-two contemporary dancers performed three trials in two different conditions: demi-plié in parallel and in turned-out positions. The motion capture system FASTRAK was used to measure calcaneal eversion and foot and lower leg alignment during demi-plié. RESULTS: Maximal calcaneal eversion in turned-out demi-pliés was 3.36°±4° and total range of motion (i.e., maximal minus minimal angle) of calcaneal eversion was 3.73°±1.42°, where the large standard deviations indicate substantial variability across participants. Calcaneal eversion was significantly different between turned-out (3.36°±4°) and parallel (1.17°±4.06°) demi-pliés, as was the alignment of the lower leg and foot, where the lower leg tracked more medially relative to the foot during turned-out pliés. Crucially, both the magnitude of calcaneal eversion and its temporal coupling with ankle dorsiflexion were highly variable across participants. CONCLUSIONS: Average calcaneal eversion is a poor indicator of the role calcaneal eversion plays in the demi-plié of contemporary dancers. Rather, the temporal coupling between calcaneal eversion and ankle dorsiflexion needs to be considered.

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jade M. Tan ◽  
Kay M. Crossley ◽  
Shannon E. Munteanu ◽  
Natalie J. Collins ◽  
Harvi F. Hart ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Foot and ankle characteristics are associated with patellofemoral pain (PFP) and may also relate to patellofemoral osteoarthritis (PFOA). A greater understanding of these characteristics and PFOA, could help to identify effective targeted treatments. Objectives To determine whether foot and ankle characteristics are associated with knee symptoms and function in individuals with PFOA. Methods For this cross-sectional study we measured weightbearing ankle dorsiflexion range of motion, foot posture (via the Foot Posture Index [FPI]), and midfoot mobility (via the Foot Measurement Platform), and obtained patient-reported outcomes for knee symptoms and function (100 mm visual analogue scales, Anterior Knee Pain Scale [AKPS], Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, repeated single step-ups and double-leg sit-to-stand to knee pain onset). Pearson’s r with significance set at p < 0.05 was used to determine the association between foot and ankle charateristics, with knee symptoms and function, adjusting for age. Results 188 participants (126 [67%] women, mean [SD] age of 59.9 [7.1] years, BMI 29.3 [5.6] kg/m2) with symptomatic PFOA were included in this study. Lower weightbearing ankle dorsiflexion range of motion had a small significant association with higher average knee pain (partial r = − 0.272, p < 0.001) and maximum knee pain during stair ambulation (partial r = − 0.164, p = 0.028), and lower scores on the AKPS (indicative of greater disability; partial r = 0.151, p = 0.042). Higher FPI scores (indicating a more pronated foot posture) and greater midfoot mobility (foot mobility magnitude) were significantly associated with fewer repeated single step-ups (partial r = − 0.181, p = 0.023 and partial r = − 0.197, p = 0.009, respectively) and double-leg sit-to-stands (partial r = − 0.202, p = 0.022 and partial r = − 0.169, p = 0.045, respectively) to knee pain onset, although the magnitude of these relationships was small. The amount of variance in knee pain and disability explained by the foot and ankle characteristics was small (R2-squared 2 to 8%). Conclusions Lower weightbearing ankle dorsiflexion range of motion, a more pronated foot posture, and greater midfoot mobility demonstrated small associations with worse knee pain and greater disability in individuals with PFOA. Given the small magnitude of these relationships, it is unlikely that interventions aimed solely at addressing foot and ankle mobility will have substantial effects on knee symptoms and function in this population. Trial registration The RCT was prospectively registered on 15 March 2017 with the Australia and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTRN12617000385347).


Author(s):  
McCall Christian ◽  
Riley Koenig ◽  
Zachary Winkelmann ◽  
Kenneth Games

Purpose: Lower extremity (LE) pain accounts for 13-20% of injuries in the active population. LE pain has been contributed to inflexibility and fascial restrictions. Deep oscillation therapy (DOT) has been proposed to improve range of motion and reduce pain following musculoskeletal injuries. Therefore, our objective was to determine the effectiveness of DOT on ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM) and pain in individuals with and without lower-leg pain. Methods: We used a single blind, pre-post experimental study in a research laboratory. Thirty-two active participants completed this study. Sixteen individuals reporting lower-leg pain and sixteen non-painful individuals completed the study. Participants received a single session of DOT performed by one researcher to their affected limb or matched limb. The intervention parameters included a 1:1 mode and 70-80% dosage. The intervention began by stimulating the lymphatic channels at the cisterna chyli, the inguinal lymph node, and the popliteal lymph node at a frequency of 150 Hz all for a minute each. Next, the researcher treated the triceps surae complex for 11 minutes at three different frequencies. Finally, the participant was treated distal to the popliteal lymph node at 25 Hz for 5 minutes. The main outcome measures included pain using the VAS and ankle dorsiflexion ROM with the weight-bearing lunge test (WBLT). Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics and F-test comparisons between and within groups. Results: The average WBLT measures for all participants increased 0.6 cm, which not to the minimal detectable change for passive ankle dorsiflexion ROM. Significant differences from pre-post measures were identified for pain on the VAS. Conclusion: While increases in ROM were identified, the difference was not clinically important. DOT was successful in decreasing lower-leg pain


2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (8) ◽  
pp. 1363-1367 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paloma Guillén-Rogel ◽  
Cristina San Emeterio ◽  
Pedro J. Marín

Author(s):  
Gabriele Colo’ ◽  
Mattia Alessio Mazzola ◽  
Giulio Pilone ◽  
Giacomo Dagnino ◽  
Lamberto Felli

Abstract The aim of this study is to evaluate the results of patients underwent lateral open wedge calcaneus osteotomy with bony allograft augmentation combined with tibialis posterior and tibialis anterior tenodesis. Twenty-two patients underwent adult-acquired flatfoot deformity were retrospectively evaluated with a minimum 2-year follow-up. Radiographic preoperative and final comparison of tibio-calcaneal angle, talo–first metatarsal and calcaneal pitch angles have been performed. The Visual Analog Scale, American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Score, the Foot and Ankle Disability Index and the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure were used for subjective and functional assessment. The instrumental range of motion has been also assessed at latest follow-up evaluation and compared with preoperative value. There was a significant improvement of final mean values of clinical scores (p < 0.001). Nineteen out of 22 (86.4%) patients resulted very satisfied or satisfied for the clinical result. There was a significant improvement of the radiographic parameters (p < 0.001). There were no differences between preoperative and final values of range of motion. One failure occurred 7 years after surgery. Adult-acquired flatfoot deformity correction demonstrated good mid-term results and low recurrence and complications rate. Level of evidence Level 4, retrospective case series.


2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 2473011420S0011
Author(s):  
Tiago S. Baumfeld ◽  
Roberto Zambelli de A. Pinto ◽  
Fernando Araujo S. Lopes ◽  
Daniel Baumfeld ◽  
Camilo Tavares

Category: Hindfoot Introduction/Purpose: Objective: To evaluate and quantify the loss of ankle mobility in patients undergoing subtalar arthrodesis compared to the contralateral side, through physical examination. Methods: A total of 12 patients who had only the subtalar arthrodesis procedure from various causes in one foot were selected. The same foot and ankle surgeon performed all measurements of bilateral tibiotarsal range of motion, with loaded closed-chain and unloaded open-chain tests. Then, to assess whether there was a difference between the operated and the non-operated side, statistical analysis was performed with the Mann-Whitney test (Hollander and Wolfe 1999). Results: On the loaded closed-chain test, the operated side had a significantly lower range of motion than the contralateral side, with a mean difference of 5.4 degrees for dorsal flexion and 7.6 degrees for plantar flexion. The open-chain tests showed non- significant differences of 3 degrees for dorsal flexion and 5.3 degrees for plantar flexion. Conclusion: Subtalar joint arthrodesis was shown to cause a loss of mobility in the ipsilateral ankle, which is greater in plantar flexion movement.


2015 ◽  
Vol 105 (1) ◽  
pp. 85-91 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nobuaki Chinzei ◽  
Noriyuki Kanzaki ◽  
Yoshinori Takakura ◽  
Yoshiyuki Takakura ◽  
Akihiko Toda ◽  
...  

The peroneus quartus muscle is an accessory muscle seen in the lateral compartment of the lower leg. Although the peroneus quartus muscle is asymptomatic in general, it sometimes becomes pathologic. We present the rare case of bilateral ankle pain with crepitation caused by the peroneus quartus muscle. Magnetic resonance imaging should be considered to assist with diagnosing this condition. Foot and ankle surgeons should consider it in the preoperative differential diagnosis when patients present with posterior ankle pain.


2021 ◽  
Vol 102 (10) ◽  
pp. e93-e94
Author(s):  
Tatiana Apkhanova ◽  
Elena Styazhkina ◽  
Michael Eremushkin ◽  
Tatiana Konchugova ◽  
Detelina Kulchitskaya ◽  
...  

2006 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 202-205 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dominik C. Meyer ◽  
Clement M.L. Werner ◽  
Tobias Wyss ◽  
Patrick Vienne

Background: Clinical measurement of passive dorsiflexion of the ankle joint is essential for the diagnosis of various pathologic conditions of the foot and ankle but is of unreliable precision with high interobserver variability in nonweightbearing tests. This work was designed to develop and test a precise, standardized, and reliable technique for measurement of passive and active ankle range of motion. Methods: The proposed measurement tool is composed of two mobile parallelograms, one attached to the tibia, the second one to the plantar surface of the foot. The parallelograms are connected with a hinge with an angular scale to measure the angle between the foot and tibia. Results: Interobserver correlation between clinical measure-ments for maximal passive foot dorsiflexion were 0.03 with knee extension and 0.38 with knee flexion, while for measurements with the proposed tool they reached 0.89 and 0.97, respectively, with a mean measurement error of 0.9 degrees. Intraobserver correlations reached values of r = 0.98 and 0.99. Conclusions: The proposed tool allows measurement of the ankle range of motion with very high precision and reproducibility far superior to clinical measurements. Clinical Relevance: Precise measurement of ankle range of motion is clinically challenging. With the use of the proposed tool, measurement precision and reliability are decisively improved.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document