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Objectives: Diabetic foot syndrome is becoming increasingly common in India with a prevalence ranging from 24.9% to 49%. Diabetic foot syndrome patients have an increased likelihood of developing ulcers in their feet. Accordingly, this study evaluates the influence of photobiomodulation on altered plantar pressure distribution and ankle biomechanics in individuals with diabetic foot syndrome. Methods: A total of 20 diabetic foot syndrome patients with an absence of 10 g monofilament in one out of six sites at the plantar surface of feet, a biothesiometer for vibration perception threshold of >20 V, and diminished or absent ankle reflexes were included. The evaluation of ankle biomechanics was performed by SIMI motion analysis. In addition, the plantar pressure distribution was measured by the WinTrack pressure platform at baseline and the end of 10 sessions. They were treated with scanning mode on the foot plantar surface and probe laser at the popliteal fossa region for three sessions per week, for ten sessions. Results: Plantar pressure parameters were significantly improved (P<0.01) and ankle biomechanics (P<0.01) after the intervention, respectively, except for no significant difference in the total contact area and ankle midstance kinematics. Discussion: Photobiomodulation therapy can be an effective treatment for improving foot plantar pressure redistribution and ankle biomechanics in individuals with diabetic foot syndrome [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The medial longitudinal arch (MLA) plays a major role in maintaining the biomechanics of the foot and is maintained with the help of active and passive systems. Dysfunction of active and passive support system can lead to a reduction of navicular height, leading to excessive pronation of the foot known as pes planus. Pes planus is caused by injury, prolonged stress on the foot, obesity, and faulty biomechanics which will result in posterior tibial tendon dysfunction, collapse of the foot archand flat foot. The patients with posterior tibial tendon dysfunction and pesplanus have reduced dorsiflexion and increased eversion. So, the aim was to study the effects of instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization and foot strengthening exercise on navicular height and ankle range of motion in college students with flexible flat feet. Method: Total 40 students were recruited for the study as per selection criteria and were divided into two groups (20 in each group). Group A was treated with Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM)and group B was treated with Foot Strengthening Exercise for five days a week for 4 weeks. Inter-group analysis by Mann Whitney U-test showed statistically significant improvement in navicular height and ankle range of motion (P value ≤ 0.001). Conclusion: This study showed statistically significant improvement in navicular height and ankle ROM with the use of IASTM and foot strengthening exercise. However, IASTM was found to be more effective in improving ankle ROM and foot strengthening exercise was found to be more effective in increasing navicular height. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Plantar fasciitis is most common cause of heel pain. Plantar fasciitis is common inflammatory condition of the plantar fascia and surrounding perifascial structure. Strengthening of tibialis posterior along with conventional therapy helps to improve functional status, ankle dorsiflexion range of motion and navicular position. Method: 40 subjects with plantar fasciitis participated in the experiment study underwent treatment duration for four weeks after giving their informed consent. They were evaluated and randomize into experimental group receiving tibialis posterior strengthening along with conventional therapy and control group receiving only conventional therapy. The pre and post values of ankle dorsiflexion range of motion, Navicular drop and Foot Function were recorded at start of the treatment and consequently after the end of treatment. Conclusion: Tibialis posterior strengthening along with conventional therapy were found to be more effective in improving functional disability, ankle dorsiflexion ROM and Navicular drop values. Tibialis posterior strengthening shows better result in improving over pronation of foot, hence decreasing risk of plantar fasciitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Purpose Spasticity is a major disabling symptom in patients post stroke. Although studies have demonstrated that transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) can reduce spasticity, the duration of single session TENS is a subject of debate. The purpose of this study was to determine the sustainability of the effects of TENS applied over common peroneal nerve in the reduction of ankle plantar-flexor spasticity and improving gait speed in patients post stroke. Methods Thirty patients (11 women and 19 men) (mean age of 46.46 years) were randomly assigned to group 1 (task oriented exercises), group 2 (TENS for 30 min and task oriented exercises) and group 3 (TENS for 60 min and task oriented exercises) for a period of five sessions per week for 6 weeks. All patients were assessed for ankle plantar-flexor spasticity, passive ankle dorsi-flexion range of motion, clonus and timed up and go test at the time of recruitment to study, at 3 and 6 weeks of therapeutic intervention. Results The overall results of the study suggest that there was a decrease in ankle plantar flexor spasticity, ankle clonus and timed up and go score in all the groups. A greater reduction of spasticity was seen in TENS groups (groups 2 and 3) when compared to control. No significant improvement was found in timed up and go test (TUG) scores between groups. Conclusion Both 30 min and 60 min of application of TENS are effective in reducing spasticity of ankle plantar flexors, improving walking ability and increase the effectiveness of task related training. Based on the effect size, we would recommend a longer duration application for the reduction of spasticity. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on Jaipur Foot which is a modification of the Solid Ankle, Cushioned Heel (SACH) Foot developed by J. Foort and C. W. Radcliffe of the Prosthetic Devices Research Project, Institute of Engineering Research in the University of California in Berkeley. It notes that the The Jaipur Foot was attached by a bolt screwed into a wooden block fitted into the distal end of the shank.