Modification of midfoot bone stress with functional foot orthoses

Halstead-Rastrick, Jill (2013) Modification of midfoot bone stress with functional foot orthoses. PhD thesis, University of Leeds.

Abstract

Studies of foot orthoses suggest that they can improve foot pain and function, although the precise mode of action of foot orthoses is poorly understood. It is proposed that they may act through the modification of abnormal stresses or motions occurring within the foot. The central aim of this thesis is to explore whether functional foot orthoses can systematically modify bone stress in the midfoot as measured on magnetic resonance imaging. Bone marrow lesion patterns quantified on magnetic resonance imaging was proposed as a surrogate measure of bone stress in the foot. A reliable method of bone segmentation and BML volume measurement was developed and applied in this thesis. In the interventional study of this thesis, the effect of functional foot orthoses on mechanical medial midfoot pain, foot impairment, patterns of bone marrow lesions and foot kinematics were investigated. Thirty seven participants with mechanical midfoot pain and medial midfoot bone marrow lesions participated in the study and were allocated to wear either functional foot orthoses (n=21) or a cushioning insole (n=16). The effect of the orthosis intervention on foot pain, impairment and volumes of magnetic resonance bone marrow lesions was compared in each group. In addition, the gait parameters and foot kinematics were assessed in a subset of 20 participants (functional foot orthoses n=10 and cushioning insole n=10). Foot pain and foot impairment outcomes improved more in the functional foot orthoses group than the control group wearing cushioning insoles. The results suggest that the volumes of bone marrow lesions in the medial foot bones were reduced systematically in the functional foot orthoses group. In comparison, those wearing the cushioning insole showed no change greater than measurement error. There was no evidence in the small subset of 7 participants, that foot kinematics were systematically altered when wearing either the cushioning insole or functional foot orthoses compared to in-shoe only analyses. The results reported in this thesis suggest that the biomechanical mechanism of functional foot orthoses in treating foot pain could be the modification of internal forces rather than their systematically influencing magnitudes of foot motion. This new data indicates that functional foot orthoses appear to have the potential to reduce foot pain and alter patterns of bone marrow lesions (a surrogate measure of bone stress) in the medial midfoot bones and further work is now required to explore this formally in larger studies.

Source: http://etheses.whiterose.ac.uk/4849/

BAPO Insurance Additional Information

Please click here for additional information on BAPO insurance 2014

BAPO Conference & Exhibition 2014 - Delegate Registrations Now Open!

BAPO are pleased to announce the opening of delegate registrations for Conference & Exhibition 2014 please take advantage of the Early Bird discount which closes on 31 December 2013 BAPO members wishing to register should use their current login details to access BAPOnline - www.bapo.com Non-members should click on the link below, provide details requested, enter the Non Members activation in the box provided, in order to register and access BAPOnline - www.bapo.com http://www.bapo.com/Application/Member/SelfRegistration.aspx For further information or enquiries please contact the Secretariat on 0141 561 7217 or email conference@bapo.com

BAPO Conference & Exhibition 2014 - Call for Papers Reminder

BAPO are seeking presentations both Prosthetic and Orthotic of 12 minutes duration with up to 3 minutes for questions and answers.

 

For more details download submission instructions here

2014 Limbcare Technician of the Year Award

The BAPO Technician Committee are pleased to announce the launch of the Limbcare Technician of the Year Award.  For details on how to nominate please click here and for nomination forms download here

Effect of an ankle–foot orthosis on knee joint mechanics: A novel conservative treatment for knee osteoarthritis

Cynthia H Fantini Pagani; Steffen Willwacher; Rita Benker; Gert-Peter Brüggemann

Abstract

Background: Several conservative treatments for medial knee osteoarthritis such as knee orthosis and laterally wedged insoles have been shown to reduce the load in the medial knee compartment. However, those treatments also present limitations such as patient compliance and inconsistent results regarding the treatment success.

Objective: To analyze the effect of an ankle–foot orthosis on the knee adduction moment and knee joint alignment in the frontal plane in subjects with knee varus alignment.

Study design: Controlled laboratory study, repeated measurements.

Methods: In total, 14 healthy subjects with knee varus alignment were analyzed in five different conditions: without orthotic, with laterally wedged insoles, and with an ankle–foot orthosis in three different adjustments. Three-dimensional kinetic and kinematic data were collected during gait analysis.

Results: Significant decreases in knee adduction moment, knee lever arm, and joint alignment in the frontal plane were observed with the ankle–foot orthosis in all three different adjustments. No significant differences could be found in any parameter while using the laterally wedged insoles.

Conclusion: The ankle–foot orthosis was effective in reducing the knee adduction moment. The decreases in this parameter seem to be achieved by changing the knee joint alignment and thereby reducing the knee lever arm in the frontal plane.

Clinical relevance This study presents a novel approach for reducing the load in the medial knee compartment, which could be developed as a new treatment option for patients with medial knee osteoarthritis.

Source: http://poi.sagepub.com/content/early/2013/12/10/0309364613513297.abstract

Speakeasy - BAPO Conference 14th-16th March 2014

Speakeasy Flyer (exclusively for recent graduates (2011-2013) and students) BAPO Conference 14th-16th March 2014

HCPC News Release 4/12/13

News release

Wednesday 4 December 2013

Outcomes of the consultation on the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registration fees

At its most recent meeting, the HCPC Council agreed to proposals to increase the registration renewal fee to £80 per year.  The Council also agreed a similar level of increases to other registration fees.

The Council's decision to increase the fees was carefully considered and followed an in-depth analysis of the responses to the fees consultation which closed recently.

Marc Seale, Chief Executive and Registrar commented;

"We are very aware of the concerns raised by registrants about these increases and of the economic context in which we operate.  For this reason, we have consciously managed our costs as efficiently as we can whilst striving to improve our effectiveness.

"The fees we charge pay for all our operating costs.  However, these fees have not increased since 2009 despite rising costs. We have worked hard to limit the increases as much as possible, but it is crucial that we have sufficient funds to continue to operate efficiently and effectively in protecting the public.

"The new fee structure still means we have the lowest renewal fee of all the regulators overseen by the Professional Standards Authority.  It also allows us to manage increases in costs in an incremental way, preventing financial difficulties which might otherwise lead to substantial unplanned increases to the fees."

Subject to parliamentary approval, the new registration fee structure will come into effect on 1 April 2014.

A full summary of the responses to the consultation is available on our website at www.hcpc-uk.org/aboutus/consultations/closed/index.asp?id=160<file:///C:\Users\gaylee\AppData\Local\Temp\>. The report contains an analysis of the responses we received as well as our comments and decisions. We also have answers to a series of 'frequently asked questions' about the revised registration fees at www.hcpc-uk.org/registrants/fees/consultation<file:///C:\Users\gaylee\AppData\Local\Temp\>

BAPO Conference & Exhibition 2014 - OETT Technician Training Day

OETT sponsorship of this event has allowed us to once again offer the first 15 full paying Technicians to register the opportunity to bring along a colleague FREE OF CHARGE *!

 

Simply complete and return the attached registration forms or download from http://www.bapo.com/

 

*Offer applies to registrations received from full paying P&O Technicians only

*Only P&O Technicians can benefit from free registration offer

*Free registration applies to Friday 14 March only

*Access to Training Day and Trade Exhibition from 5pm

 

OETT Technician Training Day 2014 Flyer

 

Delegate Registration Form 2014

 

Technician Free Place Registration Form 2014

 

Studies examine ways to optimize OA bracing

Research continues to suggest that bracing has the ability to improve pain and function in patients with knee osteoarthritis.  This article offers some recent reviews of literature and tips on compliance.

http://lowerextremityreview.com/article/studies-examine-ways-to-optimize-oa-bracing