Background: Onychocryptosis is one of the most prevailing onychopathies and one of the usual reasons for visiting podiatry clinics. In this research, we aim to evaluate the effectiveness of a procedure of nail reeducation technique via a strip of polyethylene in subjects with stage I or IIa onychocryptosis, in which pathological toenail curves are present. Methods: This research was a randomized clinical trial (ACTRN12615000834550). The sample was made up of 94 cases of stage I or IIa onychocryptosis, according to the Mozena classification. Briefly, 46 cases were treated with the combination of a spicule technique and nail brace with a polyethylene plastic strip, and 48 were only treated with the spicule technique. Results: The combination of the spicule technique and the nail brace technique with a strip of polyethylene had a significantly lower recurrence rate compared to that achieved with just the spicule technique, twelve months after the beginning of the study (N.S. = 0.000 for α = 0.05). The change in the nail width achieved with the nail brace technique, twelve months after the beginning of the study, was statistically significant (N.S. = 0.000 for α = 0.05). Conclusions: The recurrence rate of the spicule technique alone was significantly higher than the combined technique of spicule with nail brace. A nail brace with a strip of polyethylene reduces the recurrence rate of onychocryptosis.

Background: Excessive deviation of the distal phalanx in abduction frequently occurs in advanced stages of hallux rigidus but not in hallux valgus. Therefore, theoretically there should be no significant differences in the hallux interphalangeal angle (HIPA) between individuals with normal feet, those with hallux valgus, and those with mild hallux limitus. The objective of the present study was thus to determine if significant differences in HIPA exist in the early stages of hallux valgus or hallux limitus deformities. Methods: The hallux interphalangeal angle was measured in three groups of participants: a control group with normal feet (45 participants), a hallux valgus group (49 participants), and a hallux limitus group (48 participants). Both of the pathologies were at an early stage. A dorsoplantar radiograph under weightbearing conditions was taken for each individual, and measurements (HIPA and hallux abductus angle [HAA]) were taken using AutoCAD (Autodesk Inc, San Rafael, California) software. Intergroup comparisons of HIPA, and correlations between HIPA, HAA, and hallux dorsiflexion were calculated. Results: The comparisons revealed no significant differences in the values of HIPA between any of the groups (15.2 ± 5.9 degrees in the control group, 15.5 ± 3.9 degrees in the hallux valgus group, and 16.15 ± 4.3 in the hallux limitus group; P = 0.634). The Pearson correlation coefficients in particular showed no correlation between hallux dorsiflexion, HAA, and HIPA. Conclusions: For the study participants, there were similar deviations of the distal phalanx of the hallux with respect to the proximal phalanx in normal feet and in feet with the early stages of the hallux limitus and hallux valgus deformities.

There is not any method to measure metatarsal protrusion in the whole metatarsal. The aim of this research is to know the normal metatarsal parabola in male and female feet. The system of measurement devised by Hardy and Clapham to evaluate the protrusion between metatarsals I and II was adapted to study the whole metatarsal parabola and applied to the five metatarsals of 169 normal feet, 72 female feet and 97 male feet. Authors measured all metatarsal protrusion relative to metatarsal II. The results obtained show a female metatarsal protrusion relative to metatarsal II of+1.27%for metatarsal I,-3.36%for metatarsal III,-8.34%for metatarsal IV, and-15.54%for metatarsal V. Data obtained for male metatarsal parabola were+0.5%for metatarsal I,-3.77for metatarsal III,-9.57for metatarsal IV, and-17.05for metatarsal V. Differences between both metatarsal parabola were significant.

Excessive foot pronation has been reported as being related to chronic low back pain symptoms and risk factors in sports-specific pathologies. Compensating custom-made foot orthotics treatment has not been entirely explored as an effective therapy for chronic low back pain (CLBP). This study aims to observe the effects of custom-made foot orthoses, in subjects with foot pronation suffering from CLBP. A total of 101 patients with nonspecific CLBP and a pronated foot posture index (FPI) were studied. They were randomized in two groups: an experimental one (n = 53) used custom-made foot orthotics, and the control group (n = 48) were treated with non-biomechanical effect orthoses. The CLBP was measured using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) Questionnaire and a visual analogue scale (VAS), both for lower back pain. The symptoms were evaluated twice, at first when the subject was included in the study, and later, after 4 weeks of treatment. The analysis of outcomes showed a significant decrease in CLBP in the custom-made foot orthoses participants group (p < 0.001 ODI; p < 0.001 VAS). These findings suggest that controlling excessive foot pronation by using custom-made foot orthoses may significantly contribute to improving CLBP.

Objective: The aim of this work was to study the relationship of torsional and rotational parameters of the lower limb with a specific angular position of the cleat to establish whether these variables affect the adjustment of the cleat. Design: Correlational study. Setting: Motion analysis laboratory. Participants: Thirty-seven male cyclists of high performance. Interventions: The variables studied of the cyclist's lower limb were hip rotation (internal and external), tibial torsion angle, Q angle, and forefoot adductus angle. Main Outcome Measures: The cleat angle was measured through a photograph of the sole and with an Rx of this using the software AutoCAD 2008. The variables were photograph angle (photograph), the variable denominated cleat-tarsus minor angle, and a variable denominated cleat-second metatarsal angle (Rx). Analysis included the intraclass correlation coefficient for the reliability of the measurements, Student's t test performed on the dependent variables to compare side, and the multiple linear regression models were calculated using the software SPSS 15.0 for Windows. Results: The Student's t test performed on the dependent variables to compare side showed no significant differences (P = 0.209 for the photograph angle, P = 0.735 for the cleat-tarsus minor angle, and P = 0.801 for the cleat-second metatarsal angle). Values of R and R² for the photograph angle model were 0.303 and 0.092 (P = 0.08), the cleat/tarsus minor angle model were 0.683 and 0.466 (P < 0.001), and the cleat/second metatarsal angle model were 0.618 and 0.382, respectively (P < 0.001). Conclusions: The equation given by the model was cleat-tarsus minor angle = 75.094 − (0.521 × forefoot adductus angle) + (0.116 × outward rotation of the hips) + (0.220 × Q angle).