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Background: there is a high risk of falls in older adults. One of the factors contributing to fall episodes is advancing age due to deterioration of the proprioceptive system. Certain clinical procedures improve balance and posture, such as the use of insoles., Objective: the objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of hard and soft insoles on static foot balance in healthy older adults compared to barefoot people., Methods: a clinical trial was conducted with a sample size of 150 healthy adults (69 male and 81 women) with a mean age of 69.03 ± 3.82 years. Postural control was evaluated in different conditions of barefoot balance with hard and soft insoles., Results: All tests were statistically significant ( p < 0.001). The test with soft insoles presented higher stabilometric values and presented worse postural control compared to the barefoot and hard insoles in all eyes-open and eyes-closed conditions., Conclusions: Hard and soft insoles show no improvement in postural control compared to barefoot standing. The findings suggest that soft insoles may result in impaired balance during standing. The density of the materials in the insoles emerges as a significant factor influencing postural control.

Benefits of neural mobilization (NM) have been described in musculoskeletal patients. The effects of NM on balance appear to be unclear in research, and no studies have tested the possible effects of NM on plantar pressures. Eighteen subjects were evaluated pre and post bilateral gliding of the sciatic nerve and its branches posterior tibial nerve, lateral dorsocutaneous, medial and intermediate dorsocutaneous nerves. Static variables of the plantar footprint and stabilometric variables were measured in a pre-post study. We found no differences in plantar pressure variables, Rearfoot maximum pressure (p = 0.376), Rearfoot medium pressure (p = 0.106), Rearfoot surface (p = 0.896), Midfoot maximum pressure (p = 0.975), Midfoot medium pressure (p = 0.950), Midfoot surface (p = 0.470) Forefoot maximum pressure (p = 0.559), Forefoot medium pressure(p = 0.481), Forefoot surface (p = 0.234), and stabilometric variables either, X-Displacement eyes-open (p = 0.086), Y-Displacement eyes-open (p = 0.544), Surface eyes-open (p = 0.411), Medium speed latero-lateral displacement eyes-open (p = 0.613), Medium speed anteroposterior displacement eyes-open (p = 0.442), X Displacement eyes-closed (p = 0.126), Y-Displacement eyes-closed (p = 0.077), Surface eyes-closed (p = 0.502), Medium speed latero-lateral displacement eyes-closed (p = 0.956), Medium speed anteroposterior displacement eyes-closed (p = 0.349). All variables don´t have significant differences however the measurements had a high reliability with at least an ICC of 0.769. NM doesn´t change plantar pressures or improve balance in healthy non-athletes subjects. NCT05190900., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: Onychocryptosis is a nail deformity that occurs when the side of the nail grows into soft tissue, which causes pain, sepsis and the formation of granulation. The aim of the study was to evaluate and compare different levels of kinesiophobia in subjects with onychocryptosis before and after surgery to eliminate this condition., Methods: A descriptive and observational study was conducted with a total sample size of 25 subjects with a mean age of 40.96 ± 18.25 years. The pretest sample was composed of the 25 subjects before the surgical treatment of onychocryptosis and the posttest sample was composed of the same 25 subjects after the surgical treatment of onychocryptosis. Kinesiophobia levels and total scores were self-reported using the Spanish version of the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK-11)., Results: The Wilcoxon test for related samples and the Mann-Whitney U test for independent samples were used to compare the results before and after the surgical treatment. It was observed that in all the items as well as in the total score, there were significant changes in the levels of kinesiophobia, after the surgical intervention for onychocryptosis ( P  < 0.05) compared to the levels before surgery, except for items 4 and 11 in which there were no significant differences ( P  > 0.05). Before surgery, 0% of the subjects with onychocryptosis reported not being afraid of movement, 16% reported mild fear of movement, 8% reported moderate fear of movement and 76% of the subjects with onychocryptosis reported severe and maximum fear of movement. On the other hand, 100% of the subjects did not report kinesiophobia after surgical treatment ( P  < 0.01)., Conclusions: The levels of kinesiophobia were higher in the subjects with onychocryptosis compared to the subjects after having undergone surgery to eliminate onychocryptosis., Competing Interests: The authors declare there are no competing interests., (©2024 Montesinos Verdú et al.)

Background: COVID-19 disease affected the cognitive level of institutionalized patients in nursing homes, especially in the older subjects regardless of gender. This study aims to assess cognitive impairment using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) before and after COVID-19 infection, and to determine whether these changes varied based on gender., Methods: A pre- and post-COVID-19 study was conducted, involving 68 geriatric patients (34 men and 34 women) from two nursing homes. Cognitive impairment was assessed using the MMSE., Results: COVID-19 infection had a notable impact on the cognitive health of older adults residing in nursing homes, primarily attributed to the social isolation they experienced. This effect was more pronounced in older individuals. A comparison of the MMSE results by gender before and after contracting COVID-19 revealed significant differences in attention and calculation, with women obtaining the worst score before the virus. However, following their recovery from the virus, men demonstrated significantly lower scores in time and space orientation and evocation., Conclusion: COVID-19 has led to a decline in cognitive functioning, significantly worsening the mental state of older individuals, even after recovery from the virus. Consequently, it is crucial to implement proactive measures to prevent isolation and safeguard the cognitive well-being of this vulnerable population., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: the area beneath the metatarsal heads is a common location of foot pain, which is often associated with high plantar pressures. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the application of a Morton's extension on the pressure in the metatarsal bones of the foot using a pressure platform., Methods: twenty-five subjects without musculoskeletal pathology were selected for this study, and an experiment was conducted with them as the subjects, before and after application of a Morton's extension. The foot regions were divided into the forefoot (transversely subdivided into six areas corresponding to the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth metatarsal heads, and the hallux), midfoot, and rearfoot, and then the maximum and average pressures exerted at each region were measured before and after placing a Morton's extension., Main Findings: we found a pressure reduction, with a p -value less than ( p < 0.05), in the head of the second and third metatarsals in statics and dynamics., Conclusions: we can conclude that the Morton's extension produces a variation in plantar pressures on the lesser metatarsals. The application of a Morton's extension may be beneficial for the management of forefoot pathology. This study will help clinicians consider various tools to treat forefoot disorders. NCT05879094 (ClinicalTrial.gov (accessed on 18 May 2023)).

Background: The myofascial induction technique (MIT) has been shown to increase shoulder range of motion (ROM) in breast cancer survivors and decrease pain pressure threshold over the radial nerve in patients with epicondylalgia. To the authors' best knowledge, no study on trigger points and MIT has been published to date. The effect on ROM of latent trigger points is also unknown., Methods: A total of 20 twins with one latent trigger point of the gastrocnemius muscle were evaluated pre- and post-MIT in the calf. We measured static footprint variables in a pre-post study., Results: We found differences in PPT ( p = 0.001) and no differences in ROM with knee flexed ( p = 0.420) or stretched ( p = 0.069)., Conclusions: After Calf MIT, latent myofascial trigger points improve PPT but no change in ankle dorsiflexion with knee bent or knee flexed were found in non-restriction healthy subjects.

Background: Hard insoles have been proposed to decrease plantar pressure and prevent foot pain and paresthesia due to repetitive loading. The aim of this research was to analyze the effect of three different hard insoles in cycling on healthy subjects., Methods: A crossover randomized trial was carried out. The mean age of the subjects was 35 ± 3.19 years, and all of them were men. While the subjects were cycling on a stationary bicycle, their plantar pressure was recorded with nine in-shoe sensors placed in nine specific foot areas to test a standard ethylene-vinyl-acetate 52° Shore A hardness insole, a polypropylene 58° Shore D insole, and a polypropylene 58 0 Shore D insole with selective aluminum 60 HB Brinell hardness in the metatarsal head and hallux., Results: The maximum plantar pressure decreased significantly with the polypropylene insole containing selective aluminum in the metatarsal head and hallux areas. The maximum plantar data of the polypropylene aluminum insole in the M2 area (5.56 kgF/cm 2 ), fifth metatarsal styloid process (6.48 kgF/cm 2 ), M3-M4 area (4.97 kgF/cm 2 ), and hallux (8.91 kgF/cm 2 ) were of particular interest compared to the other insoles., Conclusions: The use of insoles made of polypropylene with aluminum in the metatarsal head and hallux areas decreases the maximum plantar pressure in cycling compared to standard EVA and polypropylene insoles.

Metatarsus adductus (MA) is a congenital foot deformity often unrecognized at birth. There is adduction of the metatarsals, supination of the subtalar joint, and plantarflexion of the first ray. The aims of this study were to assess the intra and inter-reader reliability of the radiographic MA measurement angles used in the literature. Methods: All consecutive recreational football players who practice activity more than 5 h/week over 21 years of age with MA by roentgenographic evaluation on weight-bearing dorsoplantar images were included in a cross-sectional study. Controls were matched to cases according to age and gender. We assess all radiographic measurements to evaluate metatarsus adductus with the different measurements frequently used in the literature: Sgarlato, modified Sgarlato, Rearfoot, Root, Engel, modified Engel, Kite, Kilmartin, modified Kilmartin, Simons, and Laaveg & Ponseti. Results: The variables measured in 80 weight-bearing dorsoplantar foot radiographs show excellent reliability ranging p > 0.900 in Sgarlato and modified Sgarlato with low SEM, CV, and MCD. Rearfoot, Root, Engel, modified Engel, Kite, Kilmartin, Simons, Laaveg & Ponseti, and modified Kilmartin’s angles showed intra or inter reliability with ICC lower than <0.900, systematic differences between intersession or inter observers, or high MCD value. Conclusion: It is more suitable to measure the MA angle with the Sgarlato and modified Sgarlato techniques to show higher reliability and repeatability for intra and inter-observer.

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the activities of daily living (ADLs) using the Barthel Index before and after infection with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and also to determine whether or not the results varied according to gender. The ADLs of 68 cohabiting geriatric patients, 34 men and 34 women, in two nursing homes were measured before and after SARS-CoV-2 (Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19)) infection. COVID-19 infection was found to affect the performance of ADLs in institutionalized elderly in nursing homes, especially in the more elderly subjects, regardless of sex. The COVID-19 pandemic, in addition to having claimed many victims, especially in the elderly population, has led to a reduction in the abilities of these people to perform their ADLs and caused considerable worsening of their quality of life even after recovering from the disease.

Background: A literature review did not reveal any studies concerning the intramedullary transfer of the flexor digitorum brevis tendons (FDB) technique with a single longitudinal incision through the proximal phalanx of the toes. The main goal of this investigation was to demonstrate whether the FDB tendons of the toes are long enough to enable intramedullary transfer to the dorsal area of the proximal phalanx., Methods: We examined whether the technique would allow the surgeon to transfer the FDB tendons through the proximal phalanx of the toes. The technique transfers the FDB tendons through the proximal phalanx dorsal area of the toes using an intramedullary transfer of the FDB tendons. The intramedullary transfer of the FDB tendons was performed through a single dorsal incision., Results: The FDB tendons for the second, third, and fourth toes were performed in 100% of the feet. No ruptures in any toe in which the surgical technique was performed was noted, and no proximal phalanges of the second, third, and fourth toes were fractured., Conclusions: Transfer of FDB tendons via the intramedullary approach of the proximal phalanx of the second, third, and fourth toes is possible. The FDB tendons have sufficient length for transfer via an intramedullary transfer and were carried out in 100% of the second toes. For a successful transfer, it is essential to perform a thorough resection of the extensor digitorum longus aponeurosis since it has expansions intimately attached to the plantar base of the proximal phalanx of the toe., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.)

Background: The diagnostic of flat and crest-shaped of first metatarsal heads has been associated as an important risk factor for hallux deformities, such as hallux valgus and hallux rigidus. The rounded form of the first metatarsal head on the dorsoplantar radiograph of the foot has been believed to be associated with the development of hallux valgus. Purpose: The aim of this study was to clarify the effect of tube angulation on the distortion of first metatarsal head shape, and verify the real shape of the metatarsal head in anatomical dissection after an X-ray has been taken. Materials and Methods: In this prospective study at Universidad Complutense de Madrid, from December 2016 to June 2019, 103 feet from embalmed cadavers were included. We performed dorsoplantar radiograph tube angulation from 0° until 30° every 5° on all specimens; then, two observers verified the shape of the first metatarsal head in the radiographs and after its anatomic dissection. Kappa statistics and McNemar Bowker tests were used to assess and test for intra and interobserver agreement of metatarsal shape. Results: We calculated the intraobserver agreement, and the results showed that the first metatarsal head is distorted and crested only when the angle of the X-ray beam is at 20° of inclination ( p < 0.001). The interobserver agreement showed good agreement at 0°, 5°, 10°, 20°, and 25° and was excellent at 30° ( p < 0.001). Conclusion: All of the studies that we identified in the literature state that there are three types of shapes of the first metatarsal head and relate each type of head to the diagnosis of a foot pathology, such as hallux valgus or hallux rigidus. This study demonstrates that there is only the round-shaped form, and not three types of metatarsal head shape. Therefore, no diagnoses related to the shape of the first metatarsal head can be made.

Objective: To assess clinical differences in the Achilles tendons of runners with ankle equinus wearing either compressive or standard stockings., Design: Case⁻control study., Methods: In this study, we conducted clinical examinations of 98 sportsmen (runners) with equinus, before and after 30 min of running on a treadmill; 49 runners wore compressive stockings and 49 wore standard stockings. Clinical assessments of the runners' Achilles tendons were based on the pressure pain threshold (PPT) and skin temperature analysis., Results: Achilles tendon evaluations identified significant differences in skin temperature modification and PPT between the compressive and standard stocking groups., Conclusions: Based on our findings, we propose that higher skin temperatures are associated with lower pressure pain thresholds in the Achilles tendons of runners with ankle equinus.