Differences and relationships between weightbearing and non-weightbearing dorsiflexion range of motion in foot and ankle injuries.

Background: This study aimed to: (1) identify assessment methods that can detect greater ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (DROM) limitation in the injured limb; (2) determine whether differences in weightbearing measurements exist even in the absence of DROM limitations in the injured limb according to non-weightbearing measurements; and (3) examine associations between DROM in the weightbearing and non-weightbearing positions and compare those between a patient group with foot and ankle injuries and a healthy group.

Methods: Eighty-two patients with foot and ankle injuries (e.g.

The Reliability and Validity of a Novel Ankle Isometric Plantar Flexion Strength Test.

Context: Strengthening of ankle plantar flexor muscles is one of the important components in the rehabilitation of many lower limb injuries and disorders. However, there are few simple methods to evaluate ankle plantar flexor strength in clinical situations without using equipment. The purpose of this study was to verify the intraexaminer and interexaminer reliability and the concurrent validity of a novel ankle isometric plantar flexion (PF) strength test (PF break test [PFBT]).