Ankle-Injury Patients Perform More Microadjustments during Walking: Evidence from Velocity Profiles in Gait Analysis

Introduction. We evaluated the velocity profiles of patients with lateral collateral ligament (LCL) injuries of the ankle with a goal of understanding the control mechanism involved in walking. Methods. We tracked motions of patients’ legs and feet in 30 gait cycles recorded from patients with LCL injuries of the ankle and compared them to 50 gait cycles taken from normal control subjects. Seventeen markers were placed on the foot following the Heidelberg foot measurement model. Velocity profiles and microadjustments of the knee, ankle, and foot were calculated during different gait phases and compared between the patient and control groups. Results. Patients had a smaller first rocker percentage and larger second rocker percentage in the gait cycle compared to controls. Patients also displayed shorter stride length and slower strides and performed more microadjustments in the second rocker phase than in other rocker/swing phases. Patients’ mean velocities of the knee, ankle, and foot in the second rocker phase were also significantly higher than that in control subjects. Discussion. Evidence from velocity profiles suggested that patients with ligament injury necessitated more musculoskeletal microadjustments to maintain body balance, but these may also be due to secondary injury. Precise descriptions of the spatiotemporal gait characteristics are therefore crucial for our understanding of movement control during locomotion.

The Level of Kinesiophobia and Its Relationship with Physical Activity in People with a History of Ankle Sprain

Introduction: Kinesiophobia is one of the leading clinical factors in recovery from injury. The stressful situation of an ankle joint injury can cause severe withdrawal and fear of the patient to undertake physical activity, resulting in hypokinesia. Aims: The aim of the study was to demonstrate the relationship between the level of daily physical activity reported by the respondent after an ankle sprain and severity of the kinesiophobia phenomenon. Material and methods: The study comprised 78 people (mean age 23.1 years ± 3.3) with a history of ankle sprain injury. This population was divided into 2 groups, taking the given level of physical activity into account. GR1 consisted of 34 patients with an activity level of 0-3 hours a week of sports activity, GR2 was made up of 44 individuals reporting a level of physical activity > 3 hours a week. In order to obtain the necessary results, the respondents filled in their own personal data sheet; and 3 standardised questionnaires translated into Polish: Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM); Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire (FABQ); Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK-17). Results: A high level of physical activity helps to avoid limitations in ankle and foot functioning. A relationship was found between functional limitations and the intensity of fear regarding movement according to the FABQ questionnaire. The limitations of the foot function translate into higher results for the FABQ questionnaire. No other statistically significant relationships were found. Conclusions: Kinesiophobia is a protective factor in the acute disease/injury phase. Physiologically, its level should decrease as functional abilities are regained. If the functional limitations remain high, the fear of movement also increases. Regular, high-level physical activity significantly improves the functioning of the ankle and foot, and reduces the level of kinesiophobia.