Effect of audiological testing on programmable ventriculoperitoneal shunts.

Objective: This study aimed at measuring the magnetic field strength of commonly used types of audiological testing equipment and determine their effects on the three most commonly used programmable ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunts to try and quantify the risk of a VP shunt being reprogrammed during audiological testing.

Design: In this study, magnetic field strength was measured for TDH 39 supra-aural earphones, B71 bone vibrator, ALGO 3i probe, Bio-logic Nav Pro probe, Otodynamics otoport insert earphone and Madsen Zodiac tympanometry probe.

Study Sample: Magnetic field strength associated with transducers placed on a model of a skulls having implanted Miethke ProGAV 2.

An analysis of the foot in turnout using a dance specific 3D multi-segment foot model.

Introduction: Recent three-dimensional (3D) kinematic research has revealed foot abduction is the strongest predictor of standing functional and forced turnout postures. However, it is still unknown how the internal foot joints enable a large degree of foot abduction in turnout. The primary purpose of this study was to use a dance specific multi-segment foot model to determine the lower leg and foot contributions to turnout that female university-level ballets use to accentuate their turnout.

Plantar Pressure Measurements and Geometric Analysis of Patients With and Without Morton's Neuroma.

Background: The purpose of this research was to see if there were any differences in peak pressure, contact time, pressure-time integrals, and geometric variables such as forefoot width, foot length, coefficient of spreading, and arch index between subjects with Morton's neuroma (MN) and control subjects.

Methods: Dynamic peak plantar pressure, contact time, pressure-time integral, and geometric data were extracted using the EMED-X platform in 52 subjects with MN and 31 control subjects. Differences in peak pressure, contact time, pressure-time integral, and geometric data between participants with and those without MN were determined using independent-samples t tests.

Lower-Leg and Foot Contributions to Turnout in University-Level Female Ballet Dancers.

Background: Turnout in ballet is produced through summation of the joint structure characteristics and ranges of motion at the hip, knee, ankle, and foot. Contributions of the hip joint to functional turnout in dancers have received extensive examination, whereas little is known about contributions from the knee, ankle, and foot. The aim of this study was to explore the nonhip components of turnout to dancers' functional turnout in first position by assessing passive external tibiofemoral rotation and active measures of foot pronation, ie, navicular drop and Foot Posture Index.

The relationship between foot posture index, ankle equinus, body mass index and intermetatarsal neuroma.

Background: The main purpose of this study was to investigate the presence of an association between intermetatarsal neuroma and foot type, as measured by the Foot Posture Index. The study also examined whether there was a relationship between foot type and the interspace affected with intermetatarsal neuroma, and whether ankle equinus or body mass index had an effect.

Methods: In total, 100 participants were recruited from The University of Western Australia's Podiatry Clinic, 68 of whom were diagnosed with inter-metatarsal neuroma from 2009 to 2015.

Radiographic Analysis of Feet With and Without Morton's Neuroma.

Background: The aim of this research was to investigate the association of various structural measurements of the forefoot with Morton's neuroma (MN).

Methods: Weightbearing anteroposterior and lateral foot radiographs of subjects attending the University of Western Australia (UWA) Podiatry Clinic and the first author's private practice were included in this study. A single assessor measured the following angles: lateral intermetatarsal angle (LIMA), intermetatarsal angle (IMA), hallux valgus angle (HVA), digital divergence between the second and third digits (DD23), digital divergence between the third and fourth digits (DD34) and relative metatarsal lengths of the first to fifth metatarsals (Met1-5), and the effect of MN size as measured by ultrasonograph on digital divergence.

Radiographic Measurements of the Affected and Unaffected Feet in Patients with Unilateral Hallux Limitus A Case-Control Pilot Study.

Background: Controversy exists regarding the structural and functional causes of hallux limitus, including metatarsus primus elevatus, a long first metatarsal, first-ray hypermobility, the shape of the first metatarsal head, and the presence of hallux interphalangeus. Some articles have reported on the radiographic evaluation of these measurements in feet affected by hallux limitus, but no study has directly compared the affected and unaffected feet in patients with unilateral hallux limitus. This case-control pilot study aimed to establish whether any such differences exist.

Erratum to: Effectiveness and safety of prolotherapy injections for management of lower limb tendinopathy and fasciopathy: a systematic review.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1186/s13047-015-0114-5.].

Effectiveness and safety of prolotherapy injections for management of lower limb tendinopathy and fasciopathy: a systematic review.

Introduction: The aim of this review was to identify and evaluate existing research to determine the clinical effectiveness and safety of prolotherapy injections for treatment of lower limb tendinopathy and fasciopathy.

Review: Nine databases were searched (Medline, Science Direct, AMED, Australian Medical Index, APAIS-Health, ATSIhealth, EMBASE, Web of Science, OneSearch) without language, publication or data restrictions for all relevant articles between January 1960 and September 2014. All prospective randomised and non-randomised trials, cohort studies, case-series, cross-sectional studies and controlled trials assessing the effectiveness of one or more prolotherapy injections for tendinopathy or fasciopathy at or below the superior aspect of the tibia/fibula were included.

Ingrown toenails: the role of the GP.

Background: An ingrown toenail or onychocryptosis may occur at any age and is the mostly commonly encountered toenail problem likely to be seen in general practice.

Objective: This article will discuss the common surgical approaches available for the management of an ingrown toenail.

Discussion: Ingrown toenail can be a painful condition that can become infected and may require surgical treatment.

Description of total population hospital admissions for Morton's metatarsalgia in Australia.

Background: Morton's metatarsalgia is a painful perineural fibroma of a plantar nerve, most commonly of the second or third intermetatarsal spaces of the forefoot. The aim of this study was to investigate hospital admissions with a diagnosis of Morton's metatarsalgia in the Australian population from 1998 to 2008.

Methods: Data regarding admissions with a diagnosis code of ICD-10 G57.

Analysis of dynamic angle of gait and radiographic features in subjects with hallux abducto valgus and hallux limitus.

Background: Hallux abducto valgus and hallux limitus are two commonly encountered foot deformities causing altered structure and function of the first metatarsophalangeal joint and subsequent compensatory mechanisms. This study was undertaken to determine the relationships between these two deformities and transverse plane position of the foot, or angle of gait, and several radiographic angular and linear parameters with established reliability.

Methods: A convenience sample of 23 subjects with hallux abducto valgus, 22 subjects with hallux limitus, and 20 control subjects was used.

Plantar pressure and radiographic changes to the forefoot after the Austin bunionectomy.

We describe the effects of the Austin bunionectomy on plantar pressure distribution and radiographic measurements in the forefoot in 31 subjects (44 feet) with mild-to-moderate hallux valgus deformity and 36 control subjects (36 feet). Plantar pressure measurements before and 24 months after surgery showed peak pressure beneath the hallux reduced to normal values. Peak pressure measurements beneath the first, second, and third metatarsal heads in hallux valgus feet were relatively unchanged after surgery and remained higher than normal values.

Radiographic investigation of angular and linear measurements including first metatarsophalangeal joint dorsiflexion and rearfoot to forefoot axis angle.

This study investigated intra- and inter-rater reliability of several radiographic angular and linear parameters using 6 subjects. Using standard weight-bearing radiographs, the following measurements were performed: first metatarsal protrusion distance, hallux abductus, first intermetatarsal, calcaneal inclination and lateral intermetatarsal angles. Measurement of lateral stressed dorsiflexion of the first metatarsophalangeal joint and the rearfoot-to-forefoot-axis angle taken using a composite view were also obtained.

Plantar pressure and joint motion after the Youngswick procedure for hallux limitus.

The effects of the Youngswick osteotomy on plantar peak pressure distribution in the forefoot are presented for 17 patients (23 feet) with mild-to-moderate hallux limitus deformity and 23 control subjects (23 feet). During 2 years of follow-up, the operation produced a significant increase in the range of dorsiflexion of the first metatarsophalangeal joint in these patients, reaching near-normal values. Preoperative and postoperative measurements, using a pressure-distribution measurement system, show that peak pressure beneath the hallux and the first metatarsal head remained unchanged.