Foot and Ankle Motion Analysis: Clinical Treatment and Technology PDF

Preface

Many adults and children are diagnosed annually with foot and ankle disorders, pathologies, and deformities that are extremely challenging to evaluate and treat. Systems capable of providing accurate and reliable methods for quantitative assessment of these patients have been sought for years. Only recently have technical advances and medical needs begun to merge in order to afford a solid basis for assessment of dynamic foot and ankle pathology. Inevitable results of this merger include better methods of pretreatment planning, surgical and rehabilitative care, and post-treatment follow-up.

This text began with a one-day workshop on foot and ankle motion analysis sponsored by Shriners Hospitals for Children and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The workshop was conducted on November 15th, 2003 at the Natcher Conference Center in Bethesda, MD. The workshop included national and international researchers from the orthopedic, rehabilitation, engineering, academic, medical-industrial, and clinical disciplines. It focused on clinical needs and scientific advances, with an emphasis on applications, limitations, and problems to be solved. Through the support of Shriners Hospitals, NIH, a host of contributors, and collaboration of the keynote speakers, this work was planned for publication.

The purpose of this book is to: (1) identify clinical needs that can be served by current and emerging technologies, (2) educate readers about recent and anticipated technical advances, and (3) document solid achievements within the technical and clinical communities.

Part 1 of the text presents clinical applications and opportunities in foot and ankle motion analysis. It has been written to convey basic as well as advanced concepts regarding pediatric (Section A) and adult (Section B) applications.

Part 2 of the text presents technological developments and emerging opportunities in foot and ankle motion analysis and is written from a more quantitative perspective. Foot and ankle modeling concepts are described and include seminal developments as well as modern applications and more novel approaches (Section C). Technical advances and emerging horizons related to mechanical paradigms, imaging, kinetics, robotics and simulation, triplanar force sensing, and other exciting technologies are included. Sources of available support for future research and development are described and addressed in the final section of the text (Section E).

The pediatric gait experience with human motion analysis over the past 40 years demonstrates how engineering and clinical synergy have improved medical treatment. In the management of children with cerebral palsy, surgeons now perform several necessary operations under the same anesthesia, thus greatly reducing cost, pain, and inconvenience. Clinical and research applications in human motion analysis have resulted in the development of new approaches to functional assessment and longer-term follow-up. As a result, children in gait analysis–supported environments are receiving fewer and better surgeries. This text provides a basis for expanding these contributions to the broader community of foot and ankle patients, both adult and pediatric.

Contributors to this text have graciously agreed to return all royalties to the Shriners Hospitals for Children.