Status Of Foot Research Articles

Plantar Pain, Balance and Foot Functions in Individuals with Diabetes Mellitus

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between plantar pain, balance and foot function in Diabetes Mellitus (DM) patients with obese and non-obese. Material and Methods: Fifty-four patients were diagnosed as DM were included. Participants were seperated as non-obese (n=27) and obese (n=27). The balance abilities (dynamic and static balance) of participants were examined with the Portable Computerized Kinesthetic Ability Trainer (SportKAT-550). Pain, disability and function status of foot were assessed according to Foot Function Index (FFI) and Manchester Foot Pain and Disability Index (MFPDI). Results: FFI-Disability and MFPDI scores of the Non-Obese.Group were significantly better than Obese Group. While there were no significant correlation between BMI and MFPDI, FFI-Activity.Limitation and FFI-Disability scores in both groups (p>0.05), there was medium and positive significant correlation just between BMI and FFI-Pain.in.Non-Obese Group (p

Status of Foot and Ankle Surgery in India: Where Do We Stand in 2022

Status of Foot and Ankle Surgery in India: Where Do We Stand in 2022

Foot and Ankle Surgery in Malaysia

As Malaysia modernized with time, the specialty of foot and ankle surgery became more relevant and has gained tremendous interest among trainees and practicing orthopedic surgeons. This commentary gives a brief view of the status of foot and ankle surgery in Malaysia. How to cite this article: Mohammad KF. Foot and Ankle Surgery in Malaysia. J Foot Ankle Surg (Asia Pacific) 2021;8(1):1–2.

STEENBEEK FOOT ABDUCTION BRACE FOR CLUBFOOT: COST EFFECTIVE BUT IS IT EFFECTIVE? A PROSPECTIVE STUDY

Introduction: Foot Abduction Brace is recommended to prevent recurrence after casting phase in Ponseti method. Various types of braces are described, most current braces with proven efficacy are costly(100-300$) and difficult to acquire especially for the common man in India. Steenbeek brace can be made with locally available materials and is very simple to make and is cost effective(10$). Its efficacy is largely untested.Aim: To evaluate effectiveness of Steenbeek foot abduction brace to maintain correction achieved and to study the reasons for failure and complications associated with the brace.Materials and Methods: In KMC Mangalore and allied hospitals between Jun’2014-Aug’2016 25patients (38feet) who were treated by Ponseti method of cast application were given the Steenbeek foot abduction brace and followed up for a minimum duration of 1 year. The Status of foot was assessed using Pirani score before brace application and at every follow-up. Compliance with the brace protocol was assessed and Compliance defined as brace application for 23 hours/day for the first three months, and nap time brace application for rest of the duration of study.Results: In 36 of 38 feet on the brace the correction was maintained(94.7% effective). In two patients(feet) there was worsening of the Pirani score after brace application and recurrence was seen. The reason for failure was found to be non compliance. The correlation between noncompliance and recurrence was significant(p <0.001) using Fischer Exact Test. Pirani score improved significantly in compliant group with significant worsening noted in noncompliant group. There were no other brace related complications.Conclusions: The significant correlation between noncompliance and recurrence shows that Steenbeek FAB is effective in maintaining correction and can be a cost-effective alternative to the more costly braces, for use in developing countries.

Serological Status of Foot and Mouth Disease in Cattle and Buffalo of Andaman and Nicobar Islands of India

Serological Status of Foot and Mouth Disease in Cattle and Buffalo of Andaman and Nicobar Islands of India

Calcaneocuboid arthrodesis for recurrent clubfeet: What is the outcome at 17-year follow-up?

PurposeCalcaneocuboid arthrodesis was used during revision clubfoot surgery in order to maintain midfoot correction. The purposes of this study were to determine: (1) functional level at 17-year follow-up compared to 5-year follow-up; (2) patients’ current functional level, satisfaction, and pain; and (3) current arthropometric measurements.MethodsTwenty patients (27 clubfeet) with clubfoot relapse underwent revision soft tissue release and calcaneocuboid fusion between 1991 and 1994. They were previously evaluated at a mean follow-up of 5.5 years. Ten out of 20 patients (13 clubfeet), mean age of 24 years, were reevaluated at mean follow-up of 17.5 years. The Hospital for Joint Diseases Functional Rating System (HJD FRS) for clubfoot surgery, Outcome Evaluation in Clubfoot developed by the International Clubfoot Study Group, the Clubfoot Disease-Specific Instrument, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) Foot and Ankle Outcomes Questionnaire, Laaveg and Ponseti’s functional rating system for clubfoot and pain scale were completed by patient and/or surgeon to assess function, patient satisfaction and pain. Foot and ankle radiographs and anthropometric measurements were reviewed. For HJD FRS, scores from original follow-up were compared to current ones.ResultsThe HJD FRS score of all feet was 65.9, demonstrating a significant decline from the original mean score of 77.8 (p = 0.03). Excellent/good HJD FRS scores went from 85 to 38 %. Mean AAOS Foot Ankle Outcomes Questionnaire standardized core and shoe comfort scores were 84.6 and 84.5, respectively. Average foot pain was 1.8 on a scale of 1–10. Patients were very/somewhat satisfied with status of foot in 76 % of feet and appearance of foot in 46 % of feet, based on Clubfoot Disease-Specific Instrument questions.ConclusionsRevision clubfoot surgery with calcaneocuboid fusion in patients 5–8 years of age showed an expected decline in functional outcome measures over a 17-year follow-up period. It still produced comparable results to other studies for a similar population of difficult, revision cases, and should have a place in current surgical treatment techniques.

Study on the epidemiology of foot and mouth disease in Ethiopia

This study was designed to describe the status of foot and mouth disease (FMD) in Ethiopia, through analysis of FMD outbreak reports and the detection of antibodies, to address the possibility of establishing a disease-free zone. Serum samples collected from cattle between 2003 and 2006 for the serosurveillance of rinderpest were used for this study. The records of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development from 2002 to 2006 indicate that FMD outbreaks occurred each year in Ethiopia during this period, with the highest number in 2004, when 134 outbreaks took place. The highest rates were from the North Shoa zones of both the Oromia and Amhara regions. The serum samples were tested using the 3ABC enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit, to identify antibodies against FMD. From a total of 4,465 sera, 10.5% (n = 467) tested positive. The highest seroprevalence was detected in samples from the Eastern zone of Rgray with 41.5%; followed by the Guji zone of Oromia and Yeka district of the city of Addis Ababa, with 32.7% and 30%, respectively. Antibodies specific to FMD virus were not detected in Gambella or Benishangul. The effects of cattle, sheep and goat density, both separately and together, were analysed with a spatial regression model, but did not have a significant effect on seroprevalence. This indicates that other factors, such as farming systems and livestock movement, play a significant role in the occurrence of FMD. Based on these study findings, it might be appropriate to establish disease-free zones in Gambella and Benishangul.

Evolving perception on the benefits of vaccination as a foot and mouth disease control policy: contributions of South America

Within the past decade, changes in perceptions on the benefits of vaccination as an appropriate tool to achieve complete foot and mouth disease eradication have become evident. The former negative view was derived from misconceptions, resulting mainly from the belief that vaccines are not entirely effective and that vaccination masks asymptomatic viral circulation. The advent in the 1990s of vaccination policies implemented within a strategic eradication plan in South America, and during recurrence of the disease in disease-free regions contributed towards generating more reliable and visible outcomes of vaccination programs, paving the way towards a new perception. Particularly relevant was the development and application of novel serodiagnostic approaches to assess silent viral circulation, irrespective of vaccination. The use in South America of vaccination allied to serosurveys to accompany viral clarification during eradication campaigns and after emergencies clearly established the importance of this control tool to stop the spread of viral infection. This alliance gave input to break many myths associated with the use of vaccines, including the belief that immunized carrier animals pose an epidemiologic risk.This experience launched new concepts that supported the internationally recognized status of foot and mouth disease-free regions with vaccination and the ‘vaccination to live’ policy as an alternative to ‘stamping out’.

Review of the status of foot and mouth disease and approach to control/eradication in Europe and Central Asia.

The authors describe the situation of foot and mouth disease (FMD) in Europe over the past 70 years and analyse the origin of the disease and methods of control, particularly since preventive vaccination was banned in Europe in the early 1990s. Since then, and until 2001, despite several incursions of the virus, the disease has always been contained and eradicated rapidly. Therefore, the ban on vaccination did not result in an increase of FMD outbreaks. However, the massive outbreak which took place in 2001 in the United Kingdom (UK) with 2,030 outbreaks, raised questions on the policy utilised to date to control the disease in Europe. In future, the utilisation of ring vaccination should be considered as an alternative to mass culling of large numbers of animals. Based on the recent source of introduction of the virus, the authors review the lines of defence which should be reinforced to reduce the risk of further introduction of the disease. The FMD situation in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) is also examined. The situation in the Central Asian Republics and the Caucasian region deteriorated after the collapse of the Soviet Union, despite the continuous effort of Russia to support these countries. International support is needed to prevent FMD from becoming endemic in the region.

Review of the status of foot and mouth disease in countries of South America and approaches to control and eradication.

Since the signing in 1987 of the Hemispheric Plan for the Eradication of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (PHEFA) by the countries of South America, clinical cases of foot and mouth disease (FMD) have decreased significantly throughout the continent. During the early 1990s, national laboratories diagnosed an average of 766 cases per year in South America. By the late 1990s, this continent-wide average had fallen to 130. By the end of the 1990s, the international community recognised Argentina, Chile, Guyana and Uruguay as free of FMD without vaccination. In 1999, clinical signs of FMD were absent in 60% of all cattle of the continent. These cattle represented 41% of all herds in South America and extended over 60% of the geographical area of the continent. However, in the spring of 2001, FMD re-appeared in certain countries of the Southern Cone. This widespread re-occurrence of the disease in Argentina, Uruguay and the State of Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil called into question the basic premise of the PHEFA--that countries in South America can achieve and maintain FMD-free status, with or without vaccination. The authors suggest that these countries can regain their FMD-free status by supporting the PHEFA. A successful disease eradication strategy relies on high levels of vaccination, effectiveness of outbreak responses, and control of animal movement. This strategy must have a regional, not national, focus and must be based on risk analysis methodology. The multilateral administration of vaccination campaigns and field activities to ensure wide and simultaneous vaccine application, along with primary prevention and joint border activities, is the key to eradicating FMD and maintaining areas free of the disease.

A review of the status of foot and mouth disease in South-East Asia and approaches to control and eradication

The author presents reports of foot and mouth disease (FMD) submitted between 1996 and 2001 to the Office International des Epizooties (OIE: World organisation for animal health) Sub-Commission for FMD in South-East Asia. Of the ten countries in South-East Asia, FMD is endemic in seven (Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam) and three are free of the disease (Brunei, Indonesia and Singapore). Part of the Philippines is also recognised internationally as being free of FMD. From 1996 to 2001, serotype O viruses caused outbreaks in all seven of the endemically infected countries. On the mainland, three different type O lineages have been recorded, namely: the South-East Asian (SEA) topotype, the pig-adapted or Cathay topotype and the pan-Asian topotype. Prior to 1999, one group of SEA topotype viruses occurred in the eastern part of the region and another group in the western part. However, in 1999, the pan-Asian lineage was introduced to the region and has become widespread. The Cathay topotype was reported from Vietnam in 1997 and is the only FMD virus currently endemic in the Philippines. Type Asia 1 has never been reported from the Philippines but was reported from all countries on the mainland except Vietnam between 1996 and 2001. Type A virus has not been reported from east of the Mekong River in the past six years and seems to be mainly confined to Thailand with occasional spillover into Malaysia. The distribution and movement of FMD viruses in the region is a reflection of the trade-driven movement of livestock. There is great disparity across the region in the strength and resources of the animal health services and this has a direct impact on FMD control. Regulatory environments are not well developed and enforcement of regulations can be ineffectual. The management of animal movement is quite variable across the region and much market-driven transboundary movement of livestock is unregulated. Formal quarantine approaches are generally not supported by traders or are not available. Vaccination is not used widely as a control tool because of the expense. However, it is applied by the Veterinary Services in Malaysia to control incursions of the disease and there is a mass vaccination programme for large ruminants in Thailand where the Government produces and distributes vaccine. Vaccination is also used by the commercial pig sector, particularly in the Philippines and Thailand.

Studies on foot and mouth disease in the eastern region of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

The present paper describes the status of foot and mouth disease (FMD) in the eastern region of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, over a three-year period from 1987 to 1989. The disease was prevalent among the various livestock populations in the study area. Type O appeared to be most prevalent followed by types A and Asia 1 which were recorded at lower incidences. Type C was not recorded during the period of study. Two isolates of each serotype were tested for antigenic relatedness to each other and to a reference virus. Both type O isolates were closely related but less related to the reference virus O1 BFS (1860). The type A isolates and the reference virus A22 IRQ 24/64 showed a similar degree of close interrelatedness. In contrast, the two Asia 1 field isolates, while being closely related, showed no antigenic relationship with the reference virus Asia 1 PAK 1/54. The possible implications of these results regarding the current situation of FMD control in the United Arab Emirates and neighbouring countries are discussed.

Epizootiology of foot and mouth disease in Saudi Arabia: I. Analysis of data obtained through district field veterinarians.

Data on the epizootiological status of foot and mouth disease (FMD) in all districts of Saudi Arabia were obtained through responses to a specifically-designed questionnaire from field veterinarians working in different Directorates of Agriculture throughout the country. Suspected clinical occurrence of the disease was reported in seventeen of the twenty-three Directorates. The animal species affected were mainly cattle (in fifteen Directorates) and sheep (in eight Directorates). The disease was suspected among goats and camels in only two Directorates. Some animal owners were unwilling to notify suspicion of the disease. Laboratory diagnosis was not performed in all cases. Vaccination using an appropriately-formulated quadrivalent vaccine incorporating FMD virus serotypes O, A, C and Asia 1 was mainly applied to dairy animals. Limited numbers of locally-bred cattle and sheep were vaccinated in eight and four Directorates, respectively. The data obtained and the recommendations of field staff for improving control of FMD at the national level in Saudi Arabia are discussed.

Sero-prevalence status of foot and mouth disease in the North Western Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia

A cross-sectional survey was conducted on serum samples collected from North and South Gondar zones of North Western Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia to determine the sero-prevalence of foot and mouth diseases in bovine species. The samples were processed with the nonstructural protein (NSP) enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) that can able to differentiate foot and mouth disease (FMD) naturally infected vaccinated animals. From the total sera tested, the overall sero-prevalence of foot and mouth disease in cattle at the North and South Gondar zones was 14.9% (86/578). The prevalence rate was high in North Gondar, 17.8% (66/370), as compared to 9.6% (20/208) in South Gondar and the difference was statistically significant (χ² =7.108, p=0.008). Highest sero-prevalence was observed at Metema (62.5%), Quara (46.7%) and Alefa Takusa (34.9%) districts of North Gondar zone, which are bordering with Sudan. The difference among the districts is also statistically significant (χ²=141.115, p=0.0001). There was also a significant association between seropositivity and age groups (χ²=9.483, P=0.009) but there was no significant association between the seropositivity and sex (χ²=0.623, p=0.430). This information on sero surveillance of foot and mouth disease in cattle is important for further epidemiological studies towards developing effective foot and mouth disease control strategies, particularly in these areas where animal movement is not restricted.Keywords: Cattle, Seroprevalence, FMD, North West Amhara Region, 3ABC ELISA