Dynamic foot function changes following total knee replacement surgery.

Background: Individuals with knee osteoarthritis (OA) have flatter/more pronated feet than those without OA, but it is unclear whether altered foot posture and function are a cause or consequence of knee OA. The purpose of this study was to examine whether changes in foot posture and function occur after realignment of the knee following total knee replacement (TKR).

Materials And Methods: Nineteen patients with predominantly medial compartment knee OA were tested prior to and 12 months after TKR.

Visual categorisation of the arch index: a simplified measure of foot posture in older people.

Background: Foot posture is considered to be an important component of musculoskeletal assessment in clinical practice and research. However, many measurement approaches are not suitable for routine use as they are time-consuming or require specialised equipment and/or clinical expertise. The objective of this study was therefore to develop and evaluate a simple visual tool for foot posture assessment based on the Arch Index (AI) that could be used in clinical and research settings.

Predictors of adherence to a multifaceted podiatry intervention for the prevention of falls in older people.

Background: Despite emerging evidence that foot problems and inappropriate footwear increase the risk of falls, there is little evidence as to whether foot-related intervention strategies can be successfully implemented. The aim of this study was to evaluate adherence rates, barriers to adherence, and the predictors of adherence to a multifaceted podiatry intervention for the prevention of falls in older people.

Methods: The intervention group (n = 153, mean age 74.

Effectiveness of a multifaceted podiatry intervention to prevent falls in community dwelling older people with disabling foot pain: randomised controlled trial.

Objective: To determine the effectiveness of a multifaceted podiatry intervention in preventing falls in community dwelling older people with disabling foot pain.

Design: Parallel group randomised controlled trial.

Setting: University health sciences clinic in Melbourne, Australia.

Foot and ankle strength, range of motion, posture, and deformity are associated with balance and functional ability in older adults.

Objective: To determine the extent to which measures of foot and ankle strength, range of motion, posture, and deformity are associated with performance in a battery of balance and functional ability tests in older adults.

Design: Cross-sectional study of people over 65 years.

Setting: Community.

Foot posture in people with medial compartment knee osteoarthritis.

Background: Foot posture has long been considered to contribute to the development of lower limb musculoskeletal conditions as it may alter the mechanical alignment and dynamic function of the lower limb. This study compared foot posture in people with and without medial compartment knee osteoarthritis (OA) using a range of clinical foot measures. The reliability of the foot measures was also assessed.

Validity of self-assessment of hallux valgus using the Manchester scale.

Background: Hallux valgus (HV) is a common condition involving the progressive subluxation of the first metatarsophalangeal joint due to lateral deviation of the hallux and medial deviation of the first metatarsal. The objective of this study was to evaluate the re-test reliability and validity of self-assessment of HV using a simple clinical screening tool involving four standardised photographs (the Manchester scale), in order to determine whether this tool could be used for postal surveys of the condition.

Methods: HV was assessed with the Manchester scale in 138 people aged 65 to 93 years of age (102 women and 36 men) as part of a larger randomised controlled trial.

Kinematics of rising from a chair: image-based analysis of the sagittal hip-spine movement pattern in elderly people who are healthy.

Background: Rehabilitation of elderly patients with sit-to-stand (STS) dysfunction includes retraining coordinated movement among participating body segments. Although trunk position is considered important, spinal movement has not been measured.

Objective: The aim of this study was to describe the sagittal thoracolumbar kinematics and hip-lumbar interaction during the STS task in elderly people who were healthy in order to guide physical therapists in developing treatment strategies.

Foot and ankle strength assessment using hand-held dynamometry: reliability and age-related differences.

Background: Age-related reduction in lower limb muscle strength has been shown to be related to disability, falls and loss of independence. While there have been a number of studies on age-related changes in muscle strength, they have concentrated on more proximal muscle groups with little research into how ageing affects the muscles of the foot and ankle.

Objective: To evaluate the intra- and interrater reliability of hand-held dynamometry for the assessment of foot and ankle strength, and to compare the values obtained between young and older people.

Sagittal spine and lower limb movement during sit-to-stand in healthy young subjects.

This study aimed to determine the sagittal movement relationships between thoracic, lumbar spine and hip joints during sit-to-stand (STS). Forty-seven healthy young adults were videotaped performing STS at their preferred speed from a chair set at 100% knee height. Forward trunk lean prior to buttock lift-off (LO) was accomplished by concurrent lumbar and hip flexion (1:3).