BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The goal of this investigation was to study the recovery of ankle plantar-flexor peak torque, fatigue resistance, and functional ability (stair climbing, walking) following cast immobilization in patients with ankle fractures. SUBJECTS: The participants were 10 patients who underwent open reduction-internal fixation and 8 weeks of cast immobilization following a fracture of the ankle mortise and 10 age- and sex-matched, noninjured comparison subjects. METHODS: Plantar-flexor torque and fatigue resistance were measured at 1, 5, and 10 weeks of rehabilitation using an isokinetic dynamometer. Ankle plantar-flexor peak torque and fatigue resistance were correlated to timed ambulation, timed stair climbing, and unilateral heel-rises. RESULTS: Following immobilization, plantar-flexor peak torque was decreased at all angular speeds and positions. The decrease in peak torque was associated with an increase in fatigue resistance. With rehabilitation, ankle plantar-flexor torque and fatigue resistance normalized. Regression analysis revealed a strong relationship between plantar-flexor peak torque and functional measures. By 10 weeks post-immobilization, peak torque, fatigue resistance, and all measures of functional performance had returned to control levels. CONCLUSION AND DISCUSSION: The decrease in muscle performance, functional ability, and fatigue resistance induced by 8 weeks of cast immobilization can be reversed with 10 weeks of supervised physical therapy. In addition, this study demonstrated that ankle-plantar flexor torque is a good predictor of stair-climbing and walking performance in patients with ankle fractures.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The goal of this investigation was to study the recovery of ankle plantar-flexor peak torque, fatigue resistance, and functional ability (stair climbing, walking) following cast immobilization in patients with ankle fractures. SUBJECTS: The participants were 10 patients who underwent open reduction-internal fixation and 8 weeks of cast immobilization following a fracture of the ankle mortise and 10 age- and sex-matched, noninjured comparison subjects. METHODS: Plantar-flexor torque and fatigue resistance were measured at 1, 5, and 10 weeks of rehabilitation using an isokinetic dynamometer. Ankle plantar-flexor peak torque and fatigue resistance were correlated to timed ambulation, timed stair climbing, and unilateral heel-rises. RESULTS: Following immobilization, plantar-flexor peak torque was decreased at all angular speeds and positions. The decrease in peak torque was associated with an increase in fatigue resistance. With rehabilitation, ankle plantar-flexor torque and fatigue resistance normalized. Regression analysis revealed a strong relationship between plantar-flexor peak torque and functional measures. By 10 weeks post-immobilization, peak torque, fatigue resistance, and all measures of functional performance had returned to control levels. CONCLUSION AND DISCUSSION: The decrease in muscle performance, functional ability, and fatigue resistance induced by 8 weeks of cast immobilization can be reversed with 10 weeks of supervised physical therapy. In addition, this study demonstrated that ankle-plantar flexor torque is a good predictor of stair-climbing and walking performance in patients with ankle fractures.
Authors: Neeti C Pathare; Jennifer E Stevens; Glenn A Walter; Prithvi Shah; Arun Jayaraman; Susan M Tillman; Mark T Scarborough; C Parker Gibbs; Krista Vandenborne Journal: Eur J Appl Physiol Date: 2006-07-14 Impact factor: 3.078
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Authors: Paula R Beckenkamp; C Christine Lin; Robert D Herbert; Marion Haas; Kriti Khera; Anne M Moseley Journal: BMC Musculoskelet Disord Date: 2011-07-05 Impact factor: 2.362
Authors: C Christine Lin; Anne M Moseley; Kathryn M Refshauge; Marion Haas; Robert D Herbert Journal: BMC Musculoskelet Disord Date: 2006-05-26 Impact factor: 2.362