Variations in the Thickness of the Plantar Fascia After Training Based in Training Race. A Pilot Study

Plantar fascia (PF) is a connective tissue made up of mostly type 1 collagen that is subjected to constant loads. This study evaluated the effect of continuous running on tissue stress in the PF by measuring changes in the thickness of the PF using ultrasound scans. It was a cross-sectional study involving 24 runners from the University of Valen- cia, recruited as volunteers between December 2018 and February 2019. A variety of data was recorded: (age, body mass index, type of footwear, number of workouts per week, KM run per week, sports injuries in the last year, pre and postrace ultrasound PF measurements). There were significant differences in the 3 postrace meas- urements of the left foot (<0.001). PF thicknesses were measured before and after running, with a minimal average difference of 0.4 mm in the medial and central fascicles, and 0.3 mm in the lateral fascicle. We observed PF thick- nesses above 4mm in asymptomatic patients with no signs of vascularisation, proving that increased PF thickness is not the only criterion for diagnosis of plantar fasciitis.Funding for open access charge: Universidad de Málaga / CBU

Influences of ultrasound characteristics of the Achilles tendon on gait biomechanics

Existen diferencias en las características sonoanatómicas del tendón de Aquiles tanto en reposo como con una fuerza pasiva máxima entre hombres y mujeres. El género femenino presenta una mayor tensión deformación del Tendón de Aquiles en el ROM de la flexión dorsal de la marcha.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Foot orthoses for people with rheumatoid arthritis, involving quantitative and qualitative outcomes: protocol for a randomised controlled trial

Introduction Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) involves changes to foot structure and function, and there is an association between RA and foot pain. This pain affects those patient’s physical activity and experience of daily living. While there is clinical evidence for the value of foot orthoses (FO) on foot pain, there is a wide range of FO available and there is little evidence on the relative benefits of one orthoses type over another, especially in terms of their impact on physical activity and associated well-being. The aim of this study is to compare physical activity, general and foot health and foot health experiences in people with RA when wearing three different types of FO. Methods and analysis A randomised controlled trial with three arms will compare the effects of (1) custom FO made using a direct adaptation technique, (2) custom FO made through a digital design and production process and (3) prefabricated orthoses. The primary outcome is physical activity measured using a GENEActiv bracelet. Secondary outcomes will be pain, function and disability and associated foot and general health evaluated using existing questionnaires. Semistructured interviews will identify patients’ experiences of the orthoses and living with RA. Ethics and dissemination The study has been approved by the Portal de Ética de la Investigación Biomédica de Andalucía ethical committee (SPAR-001). The results will be disseminated regardless of the magnitude or direction of effect. Trial registration number NCT03170947; Pre-results

How susceptible are our Achilles Tendons? Sonoanatomical assessment. A cross-sectional study

Objective: the aim of this study is to observe whether there are ultrasound changes between men and women in the Achilles tendon at rest, at maximum passive force is applied and during walking. Material and methods: it was a cross-sectional study involving 27 healthy young participants recruited as vol-unteers between April to July 2022. A variety of data was recorded: (age, Body Mass Index, sex, smoking, current injury status, allergies, medications, previous surgeries, type of sport, and number of weekly workouts) and ultrasound measurements at rest and at passive force (Cross Sectional Area Achilles Tendon length, tendon thickness, Cross Sectional Area and pennation angle of the soleus muscle to the Achilles Tendon). Results: women demonstrated a statistically significant lower proximal and median thickness both at rest (4.5 vs 5.1 mm with p < 0.001 for proximal thickness; 4.4 vs 5.3 mm with p < 0.001 for median thickness) as well as during maximum eccentric contraction (4.3 vs 4.8 mm with p=<0.001 for proximal thickness; 4.1 vs 4.8 mm with p < 0.001 for median thickness). Conclusion: there are significant sonoanatomical differences in vivo Achilles tendon between men and women.Funding for opoen access charge: Universidad de Málaga / CBU

Systematic review of the methodological quality of patientreported outcome measure for patients with chronic ankle instability.

Objetive: Chronic ankle instability is generally associated with ankle sprain. Its consequences can be measured by means of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). The aim of this review is to identify the PROMs specifically available for chronic ankle instability and to evaluate their methodological quality and that of the cross-cultural adaptations made. Data Sources: Papers were retrieved fromPubMed, Embase, Scopus and Google Scholar databases, with no time limit applied, based on the following inclusion criteria: (1) type of participants: patients with chronic ankle instability, over 18 years of age; (2)type of study: those specifically focused on this pathology, using PROMs specific to chronic ankle instability and published in English; (3) type of outcome: measurement properties based on COSMIN criteria in patient-reported outcomes associated with chronic ankle instability. Methods: This systematic review, following the COSMIN checklist, was conducted to determine the methodological quality of PROMs specific to foot and ankle pathologies, for patients presenting chronic ankle instability. Results: Of the 576 studies identified in the initial search, 34 were included in the final analysis of measurement properties. Four – the Ankle Instability Instrument, the Chronic Ankle Instability Scale, the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool and the Identification of Functional Ankle Instability – were original questionnaires, and the remaining 30 were cross-cultural adaptations. Conclusion: The Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool and the Identification of Functional Ankle Instability questionnaires can be useful instruments for evaluating chronic ankle instability, both in patients with this condition and also in non-pathological patients

Conservative Treatment for Acute Ankle Sprain: A Systematic Review

The aim was to identify conservative treatments available for acute ankle sprain and to evaluate their e ectiveness with respect to pain relief and short-term recovery of functional capacity. A systematic review of the relevant literature was conducted via a data search of the PROSPERO, PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, PyscINFO and SPORTDiscus databases, from inception until December 2019, focusing on randomised control trial studies. Two of the authors independently assessed the quality of each study located and extracted the relevant data. The quality of each paper was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool included in RevMan 5. In all, 20 studies met the inclusion criteria. In terms of absence of bias, only nine papers were classed as “high quality”. Studies (75%) were of low quality in terms of the blinding of participants and personnel and uncertainty in blinding of outcome assessment and all presented one or more other forms of bias. Despite the generally low quality of the studies considered, it can be concluded that conservative treatment for acute ankle sprain normally achieves pain relief and rapidly improved functionality. Research based on higher-quality study designs and procedures would enable more definitive conclusions to be drawn

Systematic review of the psychometric properties of the Victorian Institute of Sports Assessment - Achilles tendinopathy questionnaire.

https://v2.sherpa.ac.uk/id/publication/20617Objective: To review the different versions of The Victorian Institute of Sports Assessment - Achilles questionnaire for Achilles tendinopathy to evaluate its psychometric properties and the methodological quality of these studies. Methods: This study is a systematic review. Setting: A search was conducted in the PubMed, SCOPUS, CINAHL, Physiotherapy Evidence Database and Google Scholar databases, based on the following inclusion criteria: population with Achilles tendinopathy >18 years; validation studies of the Victorian Institute of Sports Assessment-Achilles questionnaire, in different languages, with no time limit. Two of the present authors independently assessed the quality of the studies located and extracted the relevant data. Terwee's criteria and the COSMIN checklist were employed to ensure adequate methodological quality. Results: Eleven instruments met the inclusion criteria for this review. Significant methodological flaws were detected, mostly regarding construct validity and responsiveness. Conclusions: The cultural adaptation of the Spanish-language and Brazilian-Portuguese-language VISA-A presents adequate methodological quality. However, further studies are required, with greater methodological rigor, of the cultural adaptations of measurement instruments.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONOn available evidence, the Spanish-language and Brazilian-Portuguese language versions of the Victorian Institute of Sports Assessment - Achilles questionnaire are the most appropriate for patients with Achilles tendinopathy.Robust methods should be designed and implemented to obtain higher quality instruments for patients with Achilles tendinopathy to be used systematically in daily clinical practice.Most previous transcultural versions of the Victorian Institute of Sports Assessment - Achilles tendinopathy questionnaire have presented inadequate evidence of their psychometric properties and should be used with caution for patients with Achilles tendinopathy

Effect of Spatiotemporal Parameters on the Gait of Children Aged from 6 to 12 Years in Podiatric Tests: A Cross Sectional Study

The use of lower limb tests in the paediatric population is of great importance for diagnostic evaluations. The aim of this study is to understand the relationship between the tests performed on the feet and ankles, covering all of its planes, and the spatiotemporal parameters of children’s gait. Methods: It is a cross-sectional observational study. Children aged between 6 and 12 years participated. Measurements were carried out in 2022. An analysis of three tests used to assess the feet and ankles (FPI, the ankle lunge test, and the lunge test), as well as a kinematic analysis of gait using OptoGait as a measurement tool, was performed. Results: The spatiotemporal parameters show how Jack’s Test is significant in the propulsion phase in its % parameter, with a p-value of 0.05 and a mean difference of 0.67%. Additionally, in the lunge test, we studied the % of midstance in the left foot, with a mean difference between the positive test and the 10 cm test of 10.76 (p value of 0.04). Conclusions: The diagnostic analysis of the functional limitation of the first toe (Jack’s test) is correlated with the spaciotemporal parameter of propulsion, as well as the lunge test, which is also correlated with the midstance phase of gait.Funding for open access charge: Universidad de Málag

Hospitalisation cost of patients with diabetic foot ulcers in Valencia (Spain) in the period 2009-2013 : a retrospective descriptive analysis

Ulcers are the main cause of hospitalisation and clinical complications in patients with diabetes. We analyse the length and cost of hospital stay of patients with diabetic foot ulcers, taking into consideration that hospitalisation and, if necessary, amputation represent the greatest area of expense to the healthcare system for such patients. This analysis focuses on the treatment provided to these patients in public hospitals in the region of Valencia (Spain), registered in the Spanish Minimum Basic Data Set, during the period 2009-2013. The number of acute hospital admissions in this respect is increasing and has a high socioeconomic cost. During the study period, there were over 2700 hospital admissions, an average of nearly 550 per year. The total hospital stay for these patients was 30,886 days, with an average of 11.4 days and a cost of 7633 per admission. Preventive policies and the deployment of multidisciplinary teams are essential to reduce these costs and avoid future complications such as amputation