Epidemiology of ankle and foot overuse injuries in sports: A systematic review

Abstract

Studies regarding ankle and foot overuse injuries are quite diverse in research methodology, data reporting, and outcomes. The aims of this systematic review were to analyze the methodology of published studies regarding ankle and foot overuse injuries in different sports disciplines and to summarize epidemiological data of ankle and foot overuse injuries. Four electronic databases, PubMed (MEDLINE), EMBASE, CINAHL, and SPORTDiscus(®) were systematically searched up to June 2011. A total of 89 articles on 23 sports disciplines were included in this review. Soccer, running, and gymnastics were the most frequently studied sports. Achilles tendinopathy, plantar fasciitis, and stress fracture were the most frequently studied injuries. Study design and reporting methods were heterogeneous. Most studies suffered from a weak methodology and poor reporting. The most common weaknesses were lack of a clear case definition, describing assessment procedures and reporting sample characteristics. Due to methodological heterogeneity of studies, inter-sports and intra-sports comparisons and meta-analysis were not possible. Methodology of most studies on incidence and prevalence of ankle and foot overuse injuries is insufficient. Based on the results, we recommend authors to clearly define cases, describe assessment procedures and report sample characteristics adequately.

Reliability of Ankle-Foot Morphology, Mobility, Strength, and Motor Performance Measures

“…The first clinician (Tester 1) was an athletic trainer (height=162.6-cm, mass=59.0 kg, surface area of the palmar hand=159.0-cm 2 ) with two years of clinical experience. The second clinician (Tester 2) was a physical therapist (height= 180.3-cm, mass=88.5 kg, surface area of the palmar hand =221.0-cm 2 ) with 14 years of clinical experience and was a board certified orthopaedic clinical specialist. Both clinicians were right-hand dominant and trained in morphologic assessment of the foot, goniometry, inclinometry, handheld dynamometry, gross motor assessment, and assessment of joint play and employed these skills regularly in practice.…”

“…The toe-spread-out exercise was performed sequentially by extending all the toes, followed by abduction, hallux flexion, and little toe flexion. Hallux extension was performed by extending the first metatarsophalangeal joint while maintaining the lesser toes (2)(3)(4)(5) in contact with the floor. Lesser toe extension was performed by extending toes 2-5 while maintaining the hallux in contact with the ground.…”

Imaging of plantar fascia and Achilles injuries undertaken at the London 2012 Olympics

“…Plantar fasciopathy in athletes, is typically seen in running or jumping sports, including track and field, soccer and gymnastics [13]. It presents with a sharp pain under the anteromedial heel, often present on waking and worst on beginning walking.…”

The Topaz Micro-Radiofrequency Ablation Achieves Similar Results to Endoscopic Plantar Fascia Release

“…However plantar fasciitis has a significant deleterious effect on both foot function and general health overall functional score [2]. Suspected etiologies [3][4][5] include obesity, overuse due to walking or running or standing, excessive subtalar pronation, seronegative arthritis, and limited dorsiflexion of the ankle joint. Conservative therapy usually entails the use of foot orthoses, stretching exercises, local corticosteroid injection, oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and other physical therapy modalities, and nonweight-bearing status and rest.…”