Comprehensive muscle function including muscle elasticity in chronic ankle instability with a focus on structural joint instability.

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K19916
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 59010:Rehabilitation science-related
• Research Institution: Hokkaido Chitose College of Rehabilitation
• Principal Investigator: Kobayashi Takumi 北海道千歳リハビリテーション大学, 健康科学部, 教授 (90774711)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 理学療法 / 足関節捻挫

Outline of Final Research Achievements

(1) The characteristics of ATFL were observed with an ultrasound imaging device, and the amount of ankle joint forward displacement was measured with a joint motion tester. The results showed that the CAI group had more abnormal ATFLs and a greater amount of ankle joint forward displacement than the normal group. On the other hand, there was no significant difference in ankle joint displacement between the Coper and CAI groups, and there was no significant correlation between pain and instability and ankle joint displacement.
(2) Static muscle elasticity of the plantar flexor muscles of the ankle joint was measured during passive dorsiflexion of the ankle joint in the knee joint extension and flexion positions. The results showed that the elastic modulus of the soleus muscle in 20 degrees of ankle dorsiflexion was significantly lower in the ATFL-injured group than in the non-injured group.

Free Research Field

リハビリテーション科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究の結果は，現時点においても十分に解明されていない足関節捻挫を繰り返してしまう原因解明の一助となり得る。足関節捻挫は受傷時に損傷した組織が明らかとされないまま治療が進められてきたことが再発の要因と考えられるが，本研究によって足関節捻挫を繰り返している患者では，前距腓靱帯損傷を認める例が多く，前距腓靱帯損傷を認める患者では足関節前方不安定性やヒラメ筋の筋弾性に異常を認めることが明らかとなった。一方で前距腓靱帯損傷は患者の疼痛や不安定感に関連しないことも明らかとなった。これらの結果は，より効率的な足関節捻挫治療の考案の基礎的資料となる。