The relationship between measures of foot mobility and subtalar joint stiffness using vibration energy with color Doppler imaging-A clinical proof-of-concept validation study

Abstract

Introduction Subtalar joint (STJ) dysfunction can contribute to movement disturbances. Vibration energy with color Doppler imaging (VECDI) may be useful for detecting STJ stiffness changes. Objectives (1) Support proof-of-concept that VECDI could detect STJ stiffness differences; (2) Establish STJ stiffness range in asymptomatic volunteers; (3) Examine relationships between STJ stiffness and foot mobility; and (4) Assess VECDI precision and reliability for examining STJ stiffness. Methods After establishing cadaveric testing model proof-of-concept, STJ stiffness (threshold units, ΔTU), ankle complex passive range-of-motion (PROM) and midfoot-width-difference (MFWDiff) data were collected in 28 asymptomatic subjects in vivo. Three reliability measurements were collected per variable; Rater-1 collected on all subjects and rater-2 on the first ten subjects. Subjects were classified into three STJ stiffness groups. Results Cadaveric VECDI measurement intra-rater reliability was 0.80. A significantly lower STJ ΔTU (p = .002) and ankle complex PROM (p < .001) was observed during the screw fixation versus normal condition. A fair correlation (r = 0.660) was observed between cadaveric ΔTU

Validity and Reliability of a Novel Instrument for the Measurement of Subtalar Joint Axis of Rotation

“…For some years, clinicians have been studying methods to determine the clinical position of the STJ AoR [6]. Because surgical or conservative therapy to control irregular forces occurring symptomatologically could only be estimated [34][35][36], it is not known where the axis of the joint involved in the osseous structures is located. The transition of the STJ AoR could result in diverse degrees of abnormal STJ pronation or supination accompanied by various symptomatologies.…”

Knee-ankle joint line angle: a significant contributor to high-degree knee joint line obliquity in medial opening wedge high tibial osteotomy

“…Postoperative knee joint obliquity can be compensated by the ankle joint [ 6 , 14 – 16 ]. The mobility of the subtalar joint, which differs per individual, determines the capacity of the ankle joint to compensate [ 17 , 18 ]. Therefore, we speculated that the compensation achieved by the ankle joint was limited.…”