OAR@UM Collection:https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/542942026-04-23T02:26:41Z2026-04-23T02:26:41ZThe association between foot posture and lower leg and foot injuries in long-distance runners.https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/546842020-11-15T07:02:26Z2009-01-01T00:00:00ZTitle: The association between foot posture and lower leg and foot injuries in long-distance runners.
Abstract: Objective
Lower leg and foot injuries in long-distance runners are commonly associated with foot
morphology although other extrinsic factors may be implicated. The purpose of this study
was to determine if there is any association between foot posture and lower leg and foot
injuries in Maltese long-distance runners.
Research Method
30 non-recreational long-distance runners, following a regular schedule by running 25 km
every week or more, and had previously sustained at least one lower leg injury, participated
in a quantitative, retrospective, cross-sectional study.
The Foot Posture Index, FPI-6, was used to classify the foot type, i.e. neutral, pronated,
(low-arched), or supinated, (high-arched). Each participant was asked to fill in a
questionnaire, designed to obtain specific information about the type and nature of injury,
influencing factors and other basic data. For the purpose of this study the lower leg and the
foot were divided in 4 sites, namely, the forefoot, rearfoot, lower leg and knee. Descriptive
and statistical analysis were both used to point out any association between foot posture and
lower leg and foot injury patterns in long-distance runners.
Results
The results of this study show that although there is no direct association between foot
posture and lower leg and foot injuries, the effect of static foot posture can be injury
specific. The most common site of injury was the rearfoot, (54.1 %), followed by the knee,
(21.6%), the lower leg, (16.2%) and the forefoot, (8.1%). Low-arched runners reported a
greater incidence of plantar rearfoot and anterior knee injuries, while high-arched runners
complained more from lateral injuries such as lateral ankle pain and lateral knee pain. 14
out of the 37 injuries were reported by runners exhibiting a neutral foot structure. However
in the latter group, the reported injuries were distributed more evenly between the 4 sites,
with most of the athletes complaining from mild pain in contrast with the moderate to
severe pain reported by both the low-arched and high-arched participants.
Conclusion
The results of the current study are consistent with previous studies and confirm that the
nature and pattern of injuries in long-distance running is multi-factorial. It is evident that
while foot type predisposes the runners to injury, the onset can be facilitated by extrinsic
factors.
In conclusion, understanding the association between different foot types and injury
patterns is very relevant in clinical practice because this will certainly facilitate and
improve treatment strategies when addressing running injuries.
Description: B.SC.(HONS)PODIATRY2009-01-01T00:00:00ZAn exploratory study of student satisfaction in podiatry degree programs in Malta.https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/546352020-11-13T17:07:08Z2009-01-01T00:00:00ZTitle: An exploratory study of student satisfaction in podiatry degree programs in Malta.
Abstract: OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study is to explore student satisfaction amongst students
currently reading their BSc Podiatry course inside the Institute of Healthcare in
the University of Malta.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHOD
An exploratory quantitative study was conducted on 19 Maltese BSc Podiatry
students registered with the University of Malta. Upon consent each student was
given an NSS/SSS questionnaire to answer and return anonymously to the
secretary of the Podiatry Department.
RESULTS
The study's findings have concluded that current Podiatry students inside the
University of Malta are satisfied (P=0.001) with the course program. More over,
this study highlighted the fact that fourth year students seemed to be more
satisfied with the course than the third year students. Males were more satisfied
than females and age was not significant towards student satisfaction.
CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study demonstrated that students are overall satisfied with the
BSc Podiatry course currently running inside the University of Malta. However,
mean scores have demonstrated that in a few course aspects students are less
satisfied with the current provision. The results of this study will be
disseminated to the Podiatry school inside the University of Malta in which this
study took place and recommendations for practice will be suggested. It is hoped
that following these suggestions, improvements to the course will be made
where necessary to enhance student satisfaction.
Description: B.SC.(HONS)PODIATRY2009-01-01T00:00:00ZA comparison of forefoot pressures in newly diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis patients and non-rheumatic subjects in Malta.https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/546132020-11-15T07:02:30Z2009-01-01T00:00:00ZTitle: A comparison of forefoot pressures in newly diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis patients and non-rheumatic subjects in Malta.
Abstract: Purpose of the study
The objective of this study is to assess peak plantar pressures in the forefoot region of
patients with newly diagnosed Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) as compared to Non-Rheumatoid Arthritis participants from the general population in Malta.
Research design and method
A quasi-experimental unmatched study was conducted in the Podiatry Department at
Birkirkara Health Centre. Ten Rheumatoid Arthritis participants were selected from the
Rheumatology Clinic at Mater Dei Hospital. The other ten participants were selected from
the general population. Participants were recruited during the period commencing June
2008 and ending October 2008. Each group consisted of seven females and three males
between the ages of 30 to 55 years. Every RA participant was matched for age, gender and
weight to another participant from the general population. This was done to exclude any
known external factors that could influence the peak plantar pressure results recorded. All
participants recruited were asked to attend the Podiatry Department at Birkirkara Health
Centre for pressure measurement using the HR Mat® system. Prior data collection all
participants were weighed using a digital portable scale and the result was used to
calibrate the pressure mat. Any hyperkeratotic lesions present were debrided so as not to
increase the pressure recorded. Peak pressure data was only recorded for the participant's
dominant foot using the two step protocol. A period of acclimatization was given to all
participants so to adapt well to the environment prior data collection. The forefoot was
divided into specific regions which were the Hallux, 1st metatarsophalangeal joint (MPJ),
2nd_4th MPJs and the fifth MPJ for peak plantar pressure measurement. From the recorded
data five trials of each foot mask were selected by the researcher on basis of best practice
data selection.
Results and conclusions
From the collected data it was found that there was no significant difference (p-value 0.05)
in peak plantar pressure at the Hallux region between the RA and the Non-RA groups.
However, there was statistical difference (p-value 0.05) in all the other regions. The RA
group had higher significance pressure underneath the 1st and 2nd- 4th MP J regions whilst
the Non-RA had higher peak pressures (p-value 0.05) underneath the 5th MPJ. The results
showed that even at an early stage of RA, forefoot pressures are shifted towards the
medial MPJs. This pressure distribution is not due to a compensatory process to pain as all
participants confirmed to be pain free during the study. This implies that early podiatric
management for the increased medial forefoot pressures should be considered. The need
for regular foot pressure monitoring and assessment was also highlighted as these give
valuable insight in disease progression. Need for further research is recommended to
investigate the same patients over an adequate period to determine pressure distribution
during RA progression.
Description: B.SC.(HONS)PODIATRY2009-01-01T00:00:00ZPatient satisfaction with podiatry care offered in health centre in Malta.https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/545792020-11-13T16:52:25Z2009-01-01T00:00:00ZTitle: Patient satisfaction with podiatry care offered in health centre in Malta.
Abstract: OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study is to identify patient's views and opinions about the
current podiatry service offered in the Maltese National health Service and to
determine whether there is a difference in patients' views and opinion amongst the
8 different podiatry clinics across the Maltese Island.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHOD
An exploratory quantitative study was conducted on 80 Maltese subjects who had
been attending podiatry services offered by the Maltese Primary Health Care
System for at least one year. 10 subjects were randomly selected from each of the
eight Health Centres (HC) in Malta, which included Birkirkara HC, Cospiqua HC,
Floriana HC, Gzira HC, Mosta HC, Paola HC, Qormi HC and Rabat HC from
August 2008 to December 2008. Each of the participants was interviewed once
during this study. The 'Bassetlaw (NHS) Primary Care Trust Patient Satisfaction
Survey' was used to explore patient satisfaction.
RESULTS
The study's findings have concluded that Maltese patients visiting the podiatry
NHS clinics are overall satisfied with the current service rendered to them (P
0.000). However further statistical analysis has demonstrated a statistical
difference between clinics in patient satisfaction with some aspects of podiatric
care and management. Variation in patient satisfaction between clinics was shown
for the ease of contacting the podiatry department by telephone (P 0.000), the
quality of the phone service and telephone staff (P 0.000), the appointment
booking system (P 0.000), quality of care given by the podiatrist (P 0.001),
amount of time the podiatrist spends with patients (P 0.000), podiatrist's patience
regarding patients' questions or worries (P 0.015), the podiatrist's explanation of
patient treatment (P 0.008), and regarding advice given to patients about
improving their foot health (P 0.000).
CONCLUSIONS
This study has indicated an overall satisfaction with current podiatry service in
Malta. This study has also indicated that Maltese patients differ in opinion
regarding different aspects and the level of service rendered to them in the 8
podiatry clinics around Malta. Results demonstrated that although the 8 clinics are
under the same management, different quality levels of care were obtained from
individual podiatry clinics. Further research in diverse settings such as in private
clinics and private hospitals where populations may differ from the one stncliecl
here may yield further information as to patient's perception with podiatric
services in Malta.
Description: B.SC.(HONS)PODIATRY2009-01-01T00:00:00Z