260
M. Lupsa et al.
is one of the most common fractures of the lower limb in adult population. The most
common causes of malleolus fracture are: twisting, kinking or ankle rotation (over
the joint), accidents which have an impact on the ankle [3].
The total recovery of the patient and the return to the normal functioning level
before the lesion are quite difficult to achieve, but the results may be favorable as
long as the principles of recovery are respected [4, 5].
Depending on the location of the fracture line at the malleolus, the ankle fractures
can be classified as incomplete and complete fractures. Complete fractures may
have a traverse, an oblique trajectory, a spiroid tract or a longitudinal tract. An
incomplete fracture occurs when the bone bends and crack but does not completely
break. They may be in the form of a greenstick fracture, with clogging, trabecular
ruptures. Depending on the location and the severity of the fracture, the treatment of
ankle fractures can be surgical, consisting in immobilizing the segment by surgically
implanting plaques, rods or conservatory by applying the gypsum immobilization.
In the case of gypsum immobilization, the callus formation and bone consolidation
may take between 4 and 6 weeks, while the affected lower limb weight-bearing is
progressive [6–8].
Once the orthopedic treatment was applied, the most important aspect of patient
recovery is medical recovery initiation as soon as possible. The recovery therapy is
followed in order to combat inflammation and pain, restore joint mobility, restore
balance and joint stability, restore the planting vault (if necessary), restore the leg
alignment, gain a correct attitude of the affected body and affected limb [8].
The aim of this paper is to evaluate the efficiency of kinetotherapeutic recovery
procedures applied to a patient with malleolus fracture, by using experimental techniques for biomechanical investigation of plantar pressure and kinematic parameters
associated with the patient’s walking cycle.
2 Materials and Methods
The patient investigated in this study is a 51-year-old female with the following
diagnosis: comminuted fracture with displacement and intra-articular tracheal right
jaw, minimal right fractured malleolus fracture. After medical imaging investigations
(Fig. 1), gypsum immobilization was recommended for 6 weeks.
The medical rehabilitation started after the gypsum was removed, and it included
physiotherapy procedures (TENS, iontophoresis with Ca chloride and iontophoresis
procedure with dexamethasone) and physical therapy procedures [9, 10].
Physical therapy procedures were performed to recover the affected segment,
swollen, tonus and muscle strength, improving coordination, fighting redness and
muscle contractions, and increasing the amplitude of the movement [8].
The rehabilitation protocol with respect to the ankle fracture treatment guidelines
was followed, and it consisted in:
M. Lupsa et al.
is one of the most common fractures of the lower limb in adult population. The most
common causes of malleolus fracture are: twisting, kinking or ankle rotation (over
the joint), accidents which have an impact on the ankle [3].
The total recovery of the patient and the return to the normal functioning level
before the lesion are quite difficult to achieve, but the results may be favorable as
long as the principles of recovery are respected [4, 5].
Depending on the location of the fracture line at the malleolus, the ankle fractures
can be classified as incomplete and complete fractures. Complete fractures may
have a traverse, an oblique trajectory, a spiroid tract or a longitudinal tract. An
incomplete fracture occurs when the bone bends and crack but does not completely
break. They may be in the form of a greenstick fracture, with clogging, trabecular
ruptures. Depending on the location and the severity of the fracture, the treatment of
ankle fractures can be surgical, consisting in immobilizing the segment by surgically
implanting plaques, rods or conservatory by applying the gypsum immobilization.
In the case of gypsum immobilization, the callus formation and bone consolidation
may take between 4 and 6 weeks, while the affected lower limb weight-bearing is
progressive [6–8].
Once the orthopedic treatment was applied, the most important aspect of patient
recovery is medical recovery initiation as soon as possible. The recovery therapy is
followed in order to combat inflammation and pain, restore joint mobility, restore
balance and joint stability, restore the planting vault (if necessary), restore the leg
alignment, gain a correct attitude of the affected body and affected limb [8].
The aim of this paper is to evaluate the efficiency of kinetotherapeutic recovery
procedures applied to a patient with malleolus fracture, by using experimental techniques for biomechanical investigation of plantar pressure and kinematic parameters
associated with the patient’s walking cycle.
2 Materials and Methods
The patient investigated in this study is a 51-year-old female with the following
diagnosis: comminuted fracture with displacement and intra-articular tracheal right
jaw, minimal right fractured malleolus fracture. After medical imaging investigations
(Fig. 1), gypsum immobilization was recommended for 6 weeks.
The medical rehabilitation started after the gypsum was removed, and it included
physiotherapy procedures (TENS, iontophoresis with Ca chloride and iontophoresis
procedure with dexamethasone) and physical therapy procedures [9, 10].
Physical therapy procedures were performed to recover the affected segment,
swollen, tonus and muscle strength, improving coordination, fighting redness and
muscle contractions, and increasing the amplitude of the movement [8].
The rehabilitation protocol with respect to the ankle fracture treatment guidelines
was followed, and it consisted in: