Browsing by Author "Roberts, Lauren"

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Foot Alignment in Symptomatic National Basketball Association Players Using Weightbearing Cone Beam Computed Tomography.
    (Orthopaedic journal of sports medicine, 2019-02) de Cesar Netto, Cesar; Bernasconi, Alessio; Roberts, Lauren; Pontin, Pedro Augusto; Lintz, Francois; Saito, Guilherme Honda; Roney, Andrew; Elliott, Andrew; O'Malley, Martin

    Background

    Weightbearing cone beam computed tomography (WB CBCT) allows detailed 3-dimensional imaging of the foot and ankle in a weightbearing state and provides improved accuracy and reliability of foot alignment measures, especially when compared with conventional radiographic views.

    Purpose

    To describe the foot alignment in National Basketball Association (NBA) players with different symptomatic foot and ankle injuries using WB CBCT and to determine if any predominant morphotype would be identified.

    Study design

    Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3.

    Methods

    A total of 45 active NBA players (mean age, 24.4 years [range, 20-34 years]; N = 54 feet [29 right, 25 left]) were assessed using WB CBCT. Measurements included the following: (1) foot and ankle offset (FAO), (2) calcaneal offset (CO), (3) hindfoot alignment angle (HAA), (4) angle between the inferior and superior facets of the talus (Inftal-Suptal), (5) angle between the inferior facet of the talus and the horizontal floor line (Inftal-Hor), (6) forefoot arch angle (FAA), (7) navicular-to-floor distance, and (8) medial cuneiform-to-floor distance. Measurements were then compared with values available in the literature for a "normal" foot morphotype.

    Results

    Among the 54 feet, the mean FAO was 0.48% (95% CI, -0.25% to 1.21%), the mean CO was 1.18 mm (95% CI, -0.50 to 2.87 mm), and the mean HAA was 1.42° (95% CI, -0.80° to 3.65°). The mean Inftal-Suptal angle was 5.31° (95% CI, 3.50°-7.12°), while the mean Inftal-Hor angle was 4.04° (95% CI, 2.56°-5.51°). The mean FAA was 15.84° (95% CI, 14.73°-16.92°), the mean navicular-to-floor distance was 38.30 mm (95% CI, 36.19-40.42 mm), and the mean medial cuneiform-to-floor distance was 26.79 mm (95% CI, 25.30-28.28 mm). None of these values were found to be significantly different when comparing forwards, guards, and centers.

    Conclusion

    NBA players presenting with symptomatic foot and ankle injuries had a fairly "normal" foot morphology, with a tendency toward a varus hindfoot and a high-arched morphotype. No significant differences were found between players based on their position on the court. WB CBCT may help to shed light on anatomic risk factors for common injuries in professional players and may aid in the planning of specific prevention programs.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    FOOT ALIGNMENT IN SYMPTOMATIC NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE (NFL) ATHLETES: A WEIGHTBEARING CT ANALYSIS.
    (Acta ortopedica brasileira, 2021-05) Bernasconi, Alessio; Cesar, Cesar DE; Roberts, Lauren; Lintz, François; Godoy-Santos, Alexandre Leme; O'Malley, Martin Joseph

    Objective

    Our aim was to describe the foot alignment in National Football League (NFL) players with different symptomatic foot and ankle pathologies using weightbearing cone-beam computed tomography (WBCBCT), comparing them to normally aligned feet as control group.

    Methods

    41 feet (36 active NFL players) were assessed using WBCBCT and compared to 20 normally aligned controls from a normal population. Measurements included: Foot and Ankle Offset (FAO); Calcaneal Offset (CO); Hindfoot Alignment Angle (HAA); angle between inferior and superior facets of the talus (Inftal-Suptal); angle between inferior facet of the talus and the horizontal/floor (Inftal-Hor); Forefoot Arch Angle (FAA); navicular- and medial cuneiform-to-floor distance.

    Results

    NFL athletes showed a neutrally aligned hindfoot when compared to controls (FAO: 1% vs 0.5%; CO: 2.3 mm vs 0.8 mm; HAA: 2.9° vs 0.8° in two groups, with all p > 0.05) and a normal morphology of the subtalar joint (no difference in Inftal-Suptal and Inftal-Hor angles). Conversely, in athletes we found a decreased medial longitudinal arch (FAA: 15° vs 18.3°, p = 0.03) with smaller navicular (38.2 mm vs 42.2 mm, p = 0.03) and medial cuneiform (27 mm vs 31.3 mm, p = 0.01) mean distances to the floor when compared to controls.

    Conclusion

    In our series, NFL players presented a lower medial longitudinal arch than controls but a neutrally aligned hindfoot. WBCBCT may help shed light on anatomical risk factors for injuries in professional players. Level of Evidence III, Retrospective comparative study.