vendex and Foot-Ulcer

The effect of a tendo-Achilles lengthening (TAL) procedure on ankle muscle performance has not been clearly established. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of TAL and total-contact casting (TCC) with TCC alone on ankle muscle performance in subjects with diabetes mellitus (DM) and a neuropathic plantar ulcer.. Subjects were randomly assigned to either a TAL group (3 female and 12 male subjects) or a TCC group (4 female and 10 male subjects).. Muscle performance measurements were obtained using an isokinetic dynamometer.. Concentric plantar-flexor peak torque decreased 31% after TAL but returned to the baseline level after 8 months. Dorsiflexor peak torque did not change in either group. Plantar-flexor passive torque at 0 degrees of dorsiflexion decreased after TAL but increased to 60% of the baseline level after 8 months. Maximal dorsiflexion angle increased 11 degrees after TAL and remained increased at 8 months.. The TAL resulted in an increase in ankle dorsiflexion range of motion and a temporary reduction in concentric plantar-flexor peak torque and passive torque at 0 degrees of dorsiflexion. If TAL is being considered for people with DM and a neuropathic forefoot ulcer, the initial compromise in plantar-flexor muscle performance should be addressed.

Topics: Achilles Tendon; Analysis of Variance; Ankle Joint; Diabetic Foot; Diabetic Neuropathies; Female; Foot Ulcer; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Muscle, Skeletal; Prospective Studies; Torque; Treatment Outcome