Relationships between Plantar Pressure Distribution and Rearfoot Alignment in the Taiwanese College Athletes with Plantar Fasciopathy during Static Standing and Walking

Background: Plantar fasciopathy (PF) is usually related to changes in foot arch, foot shape and rearfoot posture. However, little research has been implemented by using large-scale datasets, and even less has been conducted centering on plantar pressure distributions (PPDs) of different genders of PF athletes. This study aimed to investigate the relationships among the arch index (AI), the PPDs and the rearfoot postural alignment in hundreds of college athletes with PF during static standing and walking. Methods: Cross-sectional study of 100 male and 102 female athletes with PF was undertaken. The PF athletes’ pain assessment and self-reported health status were examined for evaluating their musculoskeletal painful areas. Results: The PF athletes’ PPDs mainly concentrated on inner feet in static standing, and transferred to lateral forefeet during the midstance phase of walking. The males’ PPDs from the static standing to the midstance phase of walking mainly transferred to anterolateral feet. The females’ PPDs mainly transferred to posterolateral feet. The PF athletes’ static rearfoot alignment matched the valgus posture pattern. The medial band of plantar fascia and calcaneus were the common musculoskeletal pain areas. Conclusions: Characteristics of higher plantar loads beneath medial feet associated with rearfoot valgus in bipedal static stance could be the traceable features for PF-related foot diagrams. Higher plantar loads mainly exerted on the lateral forefoot during the midstance phase of walking, and specifically concentrated on outer feet during the transition from static to dynamic state. Pain profiles seem to echo PPDs, which could function as the traceable beginning for the possible link among pronated low-arched feet, PF, metatarsalgia, calcanitis and Achilles tendinitis.

Micronized Dehydrated Amnion Chorion Membrane (mdHACM) Injection in the Treatment of Chronic Achilles Tendinitis: A Large Retrospective Case Series

Background: Human amniotic membrane contains growth factors and cytokines, which promote epithelial cell migration and proliferation, stimulate metabolic processes leading to collagen synthesis, and attract fibroblasts, while also reducing pain and inflammation. Randomized studies have shown that micronized dehydrated human amnion chorion membrane (mdHACM) allograft injection is an effective treatment for plantar fasciitis. Our objective is to present our experience with using mdHACM injection as a treatment for Achilles tendinopathy and report short term treatment outcomes. Methods: Included in this retrospective case series were patients diagnosed with Achilles tendinopathy treated with mdHACM by a single physician were identified from an electronic medical record system. Included for analysis were those with at least 2 follow up visits within 45 days of mdHACM injection. Outcomes examined included change in reported level of pain during the 45-day observation period and adverse events associated with treatment. Results: Follow-up data were available for 32 mdHACM-treated patients and abstracted from the electronic medical record. At treatment initiation 97% of patients reported severe (66%) or moderate (31%) pain. At first follow-up visit (mean 8.1 {plus minus} 2.7 days after injection), 84% (27/32) had reported improvement in pain levels, although 37% of patients continued to report severe (6%) or moderate (31%) pain. At the second follow-up visit (mean 23.1 {plus minus} 6.2 days after injection), no patients reported severe pain and one reported moderate pain. Within 45 days of mdHACM injection complete resolution of symptoms was reported by 66% of treated patients (n=21) with the remaining 34% reporting improvement but not complete resolution (n=11) of their symptoms. Two patients reported calf or quadricep pain or tightness post-injection. Conclusions: In a single practice mdHACM injection reduced or eliminated pain in all patients where follow-up data was available.

EFFECTIVENESS OF AUTOLOGOUS PLATELET RICH PLASMA (PRP) IN TREATMENT OF CHRONIC AND RECURRENT TENDINOPATHIES

Background & Objective: Chronic and Recurrent Tendinopathies causes variable pain and functional impairment in daily routine activities. They are slow to heal and their treatment poses a great challenge for the treating Clinician. Therefore, this study was initiated to explore the effectiveness of PRP in recurrent tendinopathies. Material and Methods: The study population comprised of patients with chronic or recurrent: Achilles tendinitis (AT), Tennis elbow (TE) or Plantar Fasciitis (PF) and were given autologous platelet rich plasma (PRP) injection locally at point of maximal tenderness. The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) was filled by the concerned clinician at base line (Day1), at 6 weeks and 6 months after the procedure. Results: The study included 48 patients with mean age 49.5 ± 10.98 years. There were 18 male and 30 females. Mean VAS score of all 48 patients at the time of presentation was 8.8 ± 0.73. Mean VAS score when calculated separately for AT, TE and PF were 8.3 ± 0.48, 9.4 ± 0.5 and 9.5 ± 0.54 respectively. Mean VAS score decreased at 6 weeks and at 6 months to 1.8 ± 2.2 and 0.72 ± 1.88 respectively for all 48 patients. This decrease in VAS score at 6 weeks and at 6 months was significant when compared for all 48 patients. When compared separately, decrease in VAS at 6 weeks and 6 months was significant for AT and TE group. Conclusions: Local injection of autologous PRP proved to be a promising form of therapy for TE and AT. It is safe and extremely effective in relieving pain and improving function in chronic and recurrent tendinopathies.

Surgical Management of Insertional Achilles Tendinopathy in the Young and Elderly Result in Similar Clinical Outcomes

Category: Other; Ankle Introduction/Purpose: Insertional Achilles tendinitis (IAT) is a common cause of chronic posterior heel pain. Non-operative treatment has demonstrated evidence of success, with similar failure rates in both the young and the elderly. Surgical management can reproducibly improve patients’ pain and functional status. Older patients are considered to be at a higher risk for surgical complications due to associated comorbidities when compared to patients under the age of 60. The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of comorbidities and peri-operative variables on functional patient reported outcomes following surgical treatment of IAT in those over and under the age of 60. Methods: Retrospective review of prospectively collected data pertaining to a consecutive series of adult patients who underwent surgical management of IAT by a single surgeon (J.B.). Patients were separated into those 60 years of age and younger, and those above 60. Patients undergoing concomitant surgical procedures or revisions were excluded. Patient demographics, co- morbidities, perioperative variables, and post-operative complications were collected. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Short Form Health Survey Physical Component Score (SF-36 PCS), wound infection, and recurrence were assessed with a minimum follow-up of 12 months. Statistics were obtained using linear regression mixed models, and chi-squared analysis. Results: 38 operative cases were identified including 17 patients over and 21 patients under 60 years of age (mean 66.8 +/- 5.1yrs, 49.1 +/- 8.4yrs, respectively). There were no significant differences in demographics, rates of co-morbidities, or post-operative infection between the two groups. Both young and elderly groups experienced improvements in mean VAS pain scores at 6 months (3.3 and 2.7, respectively, P = 0.416) and 12 months (5.0 and 4.1, respectively, P = 0.322) post-operatively. SF-36 PCS improvements were also observed in both young and elderly cohorts at 6 (mean 22.1 and 9.3, respectively, P = 0.122) and 12 months (mean 30.4 and 20.4, respectively, P = 0.158). Linear regression analysis showed no statistical difference between the presence of co-morbidities, or age, on clinical outcomes. Conclusion: None of the co-morbidities nor peri-operative variables assessed were linked to increased risk of failed surgical correction of IAT in elderly patients, suggesting surgical correction of IAT in geriatric populations is an appropriate and reproducible treatment option. Further higher-powered studies, with longer follow-up times would be of use to better elucidate the influence of co-morbidities on recurrence.

The Difference of In-Shoe Plantar Pressure between Level Walking and Stair Walking

Category: Basic Sciences/Biologics; Other Introduction/Purpose: Stair walking is one of common activities of daily living. It is more demanding than level walking and can aggravate discomfort of the foot, such as Morton’s neuroma, plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinitis, pressure related-ulcer, and etc. Therefore, analysis of increased pressure in specific plantar area at stair walking can be used as a risk assessment of foot discomfort and basic data in the clinical field. The purpose of this study is to analyze plantar pressure distribution and pressure patterns during gait cycle at stair walking compared to level walking. Methods: Fourty healthy male adults were recruited. Radiologic measurements and gait analysis were performed to check participants’ normality, and 35 healthy males with 20-28 years old were included. They performed level walking (18 meters walkway), stair (26 steps stair, height:16.7cm, depth:29.8cm) ascending, and descending in same type of running shoes. Measurements of in-shoe plantar pressure including peak pressure, pressure-time integral (PTI) were done by Pedar-X system. The sole was masked in 7 segments (hallux, 2nd-5th toes, medial forefoot, central forefoot, lateral forefoot, midfoot, heel region) to analyze properly. Percentages were assigned in relation to the size for each mask segment. Statistical analysis was performed using repeated measure ANOVA, and Bonferroni post hoc test was done. Results: PP in all regions except for the midfoot were higher during level walking than stair walking. During stair descent, PP in all the regions except for the midfoot were generally lower than other types of walking, but it was the highest in the midfoot region. PTI in the medial and central forefoot was higher during stair descent than level walking. PTI in the central and lateral forefoot, and the midfoot was higher when stair ascending than level walking. PTI in the heel region was the highest during level walking, followed by stair ascent, stair descent. Conclusion: The risk of aggravation of discomfort in the midfoot area increases when stair descending. The medial region of forefoot bear high pressure load during stair descent, and the lateral region of forefoot and the midfoot region bear high pressure load during stair ascent. This is the first study to show plantar pressure patterns during level and stair walking in the large healthy gender-controlled population. We recommend that patients with pressure related foot lesions in the forefoot or midfoot avoid stair walking.