Study Design: Case control study.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the position of the distal fibula in individuals with chronic ankle instability (CAI).

Background: Recent literature has suggested that a positional fault of the fibula on the tibia may contribute to CAI; however, there is a lack of objective scientific evidence to support this claim.

Methods and Measures: Thirty subjects with unilateral CAI (mean ± SD age, 20.3 ± 1.3 years) and 30 subjects with no previous history of ankle injury (mean ± SD age, 21.3 ± 3.8 years) participated in this study. Subjects completed a pair of subjective functional scales and fluoroscopic lateral images of both the right and left ankles were recorded. The distance from the anterior margin of the distal tibia to the anterior margin of the distal fibula was measured in millimeters. Nonparametric statistics were used to assess the relationship between fibular position and CAI status.

Results: There were significant differences between the CAI and control group ankles (P = .045) and within the involved and uninvolved sides of the CAI group (P = .006). Those with CAI had a significantly more anterior fibular position on their involved ankle in relation to their uninvolved limb, and the ankles of the control group.

Conclusions: The fibula was positioned significantly more anterior in relation to the tibia in subjects with unilateral CAI. It is unclear if repetitive bouts of ankle instability caused the anterior fibular position or if the more anterior position was a predisposing factor to injury.

J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2006;36(1):3-9.

Key Words: ankle sprain, fibula, fluoroscopy, tibiofibular joint

Study Design: A single-group comparative study.

Objectives: To compare lumbopelvic kinematics and muscle activation patterns while sitting on stable and unstable surfaces.

Background: Unstable surfaces are commonly used during the rehabilitation of certain low back pain disorders. The benefits postulated are increased muscle activity and facilitation of sustainable midrange positions via neuromuscular control. The use of unstable sitting devices in the workplace is controversial, as the postulated increase in muscle activity is thought to lead to a muscle fatigue/pain response. However, little evidence exists for or against the ability of these devices to alleviate or prevent spinal pain.

Methods and Measures: This study included 26 healthy adults (14 male, 12 female). Fastrak 3-dimensional motion analysis detected lumbar curvature, pelvic tilt, and postural sway during sitting on a stable and unstable surface over 5-minute periods. Surface electromyography was used to measure activity in the superficial lumbar multifidus, transverse fibers of internal oblique, and iliocostalis lumborum pars thoracis.

Results: Spinal postures were similar for sitting on a stable and unstable surface. Significant increases in postural sway were detected (P = .013) in 3 dimensions of movement during sitting on an unstable surface. Gender differences were noted. No EMG amplitude or variance differences were detected between seating conditions.

Conclusions: Preliminary data show that sitting on unstable surfaces induces greater spinal motion, but does not significantly alter the lumbosacral posture or the amount of activity in the superficial trunk muscles under investigation.

J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2006;36(1):19-25.

Key Words: ergonomics, lumbar spine, postural sway, posture, trunk muscles

2006 APTA Combined Sections Meeting

CSM Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy Section Programming Schedule 2006

February 1-5, 2006
San Diego, California

A summary of the schedule of platform and poster research presentations made by the Orthopaedic Section and Sports Physical Therapy Section of the American Physical Therapy Association during APTA’s Combined Sections Meeting.

J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2006;36(1):27-35.

2006 APTA Combined Sections Meeting

Orthopaedic Section Abstracts: Poster Presentations (Abstracts OPO 212-OPO 321)

The abstracts are presented here as prepared by the authors. The accuracy and content of each abstract remain the responsibility of the authors. In the identification number above each abstract, OPO designates an Orthopaedic poster presentation. The presenter’s name is underlined where that information was available to the JOSPT.

J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2006;36(1):A26-A66.

2006 APTA Combined Sections Meeting

Sports Physical Therapy Section Abstracts: Poster Presentations (Abstracts SPO396-SPO414)

The abstracts are presented here as prepared by the authors. The accuracy and content of each abstract remain the responsibility of the authors. In the identification number above each abstract, SPO designates a Sports poster presentation. The presenter’s name is underlined where that information was available to the JOSPT.

J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2006;36(1):A77-A83.