Background: Ankle arthrodesis is the gold standard and most commonly used method for the treatment of post-traumatic ankle arthritis. Aims: This study is to investigate the biomechanical safety and stability of four ankle fusion models through three-dimensional finite element analysis. Methods: Four ankle fusion models were established, including anterior plate ankle fusion model, lateral plate...

High molecular weight kininogen (HK) is a multifunctional plasma glycoprotein that occupies a critical position in pathways that link inflammation and coagulation. Excision of the vasoactive peptide bradykinin by plasma kallikrein results in kinin-free HK that consists of a 65-Kd N-terminal heavy chain (HK-HC) linked to the C-terminal 45-Kd light chain (HK-LC) by a disulfide bridge. HK-HC is an...

Mast cells (MC) are hemotopoietically derived tissue immune cells that are ubiquitous in the body, including neuroendocrine organs such as the hypothalamus, pineal, pituitary, ovaries, pancreas and uterus where their action is not well understood. Mast cells have historically been associated with allergies because of their rich content of histamine and tryptase, but more recently with regulatio...

BACKGROUND Improving ankle-foot orthosis design can best be done by implementing a user-centered approach. OBJECTIVE To provide insight into the ideas of ankle-foot orthosis users with flaccid ankle muscle paresis on the importance of activities and suggestions for an improved ankle-foot orthosis design. STUDY DESIGN A focus-group discussion with eight ankle-foot orthosis users (57 ± 5 year...

Ankle sprain is one of the most commonly damaged lower extremities. More than 70% of people with ankle sprain experience chronic ankle instability. However, some people are well adapted to this damage (Coper people) and do not suffer from chronic ankle instability. The aim of this study was to compare EMG activity of the selected involved muscles in balance control strategies in athletes with c...

Abstract Background: Despite the importance of functional-performance deficits in athletes with history of ankle sprain few, studies have been carried out in this area. The aim of this research was to study relationship between previous ankle sprains and functional-performance deficits in athletes. Materials and methods: The subjects were 40 professional athletes selected through random sampl...

OBJECTIVES Ankle injuries account for the highest percentage of injuries in netball, yet the chronic nature of ankle sprains is under reported within this population group. Chronic ankle instability is a term used to describe certain insufficiencies that persist after an acute ankle sprain. The aim of this study was to investigate recurrent sprain, perceived ankle instability and mechanical ank...