The influence of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation parameters on the level of pain perceived by participants with painful diabetic neuropathy: A crossover study.

Aims: This pilot study aimed to investigate and compare the perceived pain relief effectiveness of two different modes of TENS in people with painful diabetic neuropathy (PDN).

Methods: A cross-over study was conducted at Charles Sturt University, Orange. Five participants with PDN were assessed with a McGill Pain Questionnaire before and after each of the two TENS treatments.

Hemorheological parameters better classify metabolic syndrome than novel cardiovascular risk factors and peripheral vascular disease marker.

The present study compares the association of Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) with hemorheological parameters, oxidative stress, inflammation and peripheral arterial disease markers. 100 participants were recruited and participants were divided into three groups on the basis of absence or presence of MetS and its components. Odds ratio for correctly predicting MetS was highest for erythrocyte aggregation followed by erythrocyte deformability.

Occupational stress among Australian podiatric physicians in general and geriatric practice.

Background: High levels of occupational stress have been reported in podiatric physicians practicing in Australia. One possible stressor is the predominance of the treatment of aged patients with chronic disease in podiatric medical practice.

Methods: Forty podiatric physicians attending a regional podiatric medical conference were invited to participate in the research using a convenience sampling method.

Occupational Stress Among Australian Podiatric Physicians in General and Geriatric Practice.

High levels of occupational stress have been reported in podiatrists practising in Australia. One possible stressor is the predominance of the treatment of aged patients with chronic disease in Podiatry practice. METHODS:Forty (40) Podiatrists attending a regional podiatry conference were invited to participate in the research using a convenience sampling method.

Hemorheology, ankle brachial pressure index (ABPI) and toe brachial pressure index (TBPI) in metabolic syndrome.

Introduction: Microvascular dysfunction is associated with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components. The objective of our study was to assess macro and microvascular abnormalities in MetS and compare the strength of association of the ankle brachial pressure index (ABPI), toe brachial pressure index (TBPI) and hemorheological parameters with MetS.

Materials And Methods: 100 participants were recruited from a rural Australian town.

Idiopathic toe-walking: have we progressed in our knowledge of the causality and treatment of this gait type?

Background: Idiopathic toe-walking (ITW) is a condition commonly seen by podiatric physicians. Because a toe-walking gait style is also caused by or associated with many other medical conditions, podiatric physicians should pay particular attention to ensuring an accurate diagnosis. There are many reported treatment options available for ITW.

Contaminants in human nail dust: an occupational hazard in podiatry?

Background: There has been limited literature indicating that podiatrists' health may be at risk from exposure to human nail dust. Previous studies carried out in the UK have shown that large amounts of dust become airborne during the human nail drilling procedure and are present in the air up to 10 hours after a clinical session. This increases the risk of Respiratory Tract (RT) infection for the practitioner.

Erythrocyte aggregation and metabolic syndrome.

Erythrocyte aggregation has been consistently associated with insulin resistance, central obesity and hypertension in the literature. Oxidative stress and chronic inflammation are almost always present in metabolic syndrome (MetS). Prooxidants and adipocytokines generated in MetS alter erythrocyte morphology, decrease erythrocyte deformability and increase whole blood viscosity (WBV).

Foot and ankle characteristics of children with an idiopathic toe-walking gait.

Background: Idiopathic toe-walking (ITW) in children has been associated with ankle equinus. Although equinus has been linked to foot deformity in adults, there has been limited investigation of the impact of equinus on structural foot change in children. We used the weightbearing lunge test and the six-item version of the Foot Posture Index (FPI-6) to evaluate the weightbearing foot and ankle measures of children with an ITW gait and to compare these with their age-matched peers.

Is idiopathic toe walking really idiopathic? The motor skills and sensory processing abilities associated with idiopathic toe walking gait.

This study aimed to investigate any differences between the motor skills and sensory processing abilities of children between the ages of 4 and 8, who do and do not have an idiopathic toe walking gait. Children in each cohort were tested with a number of norm referenced assessments. A total of 60 children participated, 30 within each cohort.

Vibration perception thresholds in children with idiopathic toe walking gait.

This study investigated the vibration perception differences between children with an idiopathic toe walking gait and their non-toe walking peers. Sixty children, between the ages of four and eight years, were grouped into an idiopathic toe walking group and non-toe walking group. Vibration perception threshold was assessed at the right hallux.

Idiopathic toe walking and sensory processing dysfunction.

Background: It is generally understood that toe walking involves the absence or limitation of heel strike in the contact phase of the gait cycle. Toe walking has been identified as a symptom of disease processes, trauma and/or neurogenic influences. When there is no obvious cause of the gait pattern, a diagnosis of idiopathic toe walking (ITW) is made.

The Toe Walking Tool: a novel method for assessing idiopathic toe walking children.

Background: The diagnosis of idiopathic toe walking (ITW) is achieved by the exclusion of all medical causes associated with toe walking. In order to identify children with this gait type, an online Toe Walking Tool questionnaire was developed that utilized questions to identify healthy idiopathic toe walkers and excluded those who toe walk as a result of a medical condition.

Method: A Delphi panel process was conducted to establish the relevance and validity of the questions.

Postoperative infection rates in foot and ankle surgery: a clinical audit of Australian podiatric surgeons, January to December 2007.

Background: Surgical site infections are one of the most common post-operative complications encountered by foot and ankle surgeons. The incidence reported in the literature varies between 0.5 and 6.

Atherothrombosis and oxidative stress: the connection and correlation in diabetes.

Background: Hyperglycaemia-induced depletion of reduced glutathione (GSH) causes erythrocyte oxidative stress (EOS), which leads to vascular events including exacerbation of thrombotic events evidenced by changes in D-dimer level. It would, therefore, appear that there is a complex link between GSH and D-dimer, which are part of an emerging array of biomarkers associated with diabetes. The objective of this study was to investigate evidence of correlation between levels of plasma D-dimer and erythrocyte GSH in diabetes disease progression.

Knowledge, beliefs, and use of complementary and alternative medicine by Australian podiatric physicians.

Background: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is one of the fastest growing areas of health care. This has necessitated an increased awareness and understanding of CAM by conventional health professionals.

Methods: A questionnaire seeking information about use of and attitudes toward CAM was mailed to 1,365 Australian podiatric physicians.

The effect of heel lifts on trunk muscle activation during gait: a study of young healthy females.

Heel lifts are a treatment option for low back pain (LBP), whilst high-heeled shoes have been linked to LBP development. This study evaluated the effects of in-shoe 20 mm high bilateral heel lifts on trunk muscle activity. Activity of the erector spinae (ErSp), internal oblique and external oblique muscles was evaluated using surface electromyography in 15 young (20.

Variations in torsion of the lower limb in Japanese and Caucasians with and without knee osteoarthritis.

Objective: Associations between torsion of the lower limb and knee osteoarthritis (OA) appear to be inconsistent across populations. We examined whether femoral and tibiofibular torsion differed between people with and without knee OA (main effect), and whether the differences were consistent across Japanese and Australian Caucasian persons, and between women and men (interaction effect).

Methods: Data collection was conducted in Japan and Australia.

Radiographic measurements of patients with juvenile hallux valgus compared with age-matched controls: a cohort investigation.

The purpose of this study was to investigate radiographic measurements in a cohort of patients with juvenile hallux valgus (with a hallux valgus angle > 15 degrees ) using standardized weightbearing x-rays compared with an age-matched control group. First metatarsal protrusion distance, metatarsus primus adductus angle, metatarsus adductus, first metatarsal cuneiform angle, calcaneal inclination angle, and talocalcaneal angles were assessed with discriminant functional analysis. A total of 37 sets of data were analyzed from patients with a mean age of 13.

Ethnic-, gender-, and age-related differences in femorotibial angle, femoral antetorsion, and tibiofibular torsion: cross-sectional study among healthy Japanese and Australian Caucasians.

The current study was conducted to examine ethnic, gender, and age-related differences in femorotibial angle (FTA), femoral antetorsion and tibiofibular torsion. Healthy Japanese (n = 120) and Australian Caucasian (n = 82) subjects were examined using a series of clinically reliable methods for measuring FTA and torsion of the lower limb. Subjects between 18-29 years of age were categorized as younger, 30-59 years as middle age, and 60 or more as older age.

A new concept of indexing tibiofibular torsion: a pilot study using dry bones.

A newly developed clinical method of indexing tibial torsion uses the medial surface of the tibia as the proximal reference; however, the selection of a specific landmark on the medial surface has not been justified. Three different surfaces relating to the tibial tuberosity were tested using 24 dry tibial bones to determine which provides the most accurate and reliable landmark for use as the proximal reference. The medial surface of the tibia at the inferior point of the tibial tuberosity was the most reliable proximal reference that yielded the highest level of association between the newly developed clinical method and true tibial torsion (r = 0.

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.

Validity and reliability of existing and modified clinical methods of measuring femoral and tibiofibular torsion in healthy subjects: use of different reference axes may improve reliability.

Previous studies have evaluated reliability and validity of clinical measurements of femoral and tibiofibular torsion, however, the results are conflicting, warranting an alternative method. The authors developed modified methods of measuring femoral and tibiofibular torsion using different reference axes, and validity and reliability of the modified and existing methods were examined in healthy subjects. Reference values were established using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the validity study.

Burnout and occupational stress: comparison between United Kingdom and Australian podiatrists.

Professional and occupational burnout is a recognized syndrome among healthcare professionals, although the point at which burnout begins is unclear. There is a dearth of research investigating burnout and occupational stress in relation to podiatric medicine, although two recent studies have reported high levels of burnout expressed by podiatric medical practitioners. This study was undertaken to compare the levels of burnout in newly qualified practitioners in Australia and the United Kingdom.