Association between weight-bearing ankle dorsiflexion range of motion during deep squat sitting and quality of life after ankle fracture surgery: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundAnkle fracture is a common type of trauma. Although ankle fractures reduce the quality of life (QOL), few studies have investigated this factor, and even fewer have investigated the impact of postoperative physical function on reduced QOL. We aimed to clarify the physical factors that affe...

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Main Authors: Hayato Miyasaka, Bungo Ebihara, Takashi Fukaya, Koichi Iwai, Shigeki Kubota, Hirotaka Mutsuzaki
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-08-01
Series:Frontiers in Rehabilitation Sciences
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fresc.2025.1645621/full
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author Hayato Miyasaka
Hayato Miyasaka
Bungo Ebihara
Takashi Fukaya
Koichi Iwai
Shigeki Kubota
Hirotaka Mutsuzaki
Hirotaka Mutsuzaki
author_facet Hayato Miyasaka
Hayato Miyasaka
Bungo Ebihara
Takashi Fukaya
Koichi Iwai
Shigeki Kubota
Hirotaka Mutsuzaki
Hirotaka Mutsuzaki
author_sort Hayato Miyasaka
collection DOAJ
description BackgroundAnkle fracture is a common type of trauma. Although ankle fractures reduce the quality of life (QOL), few studies have investigated this factor, and even fewer have investigated the impact of postoperative physical function on reduced QOL. We aimed to clarify the physical factors that affect the QOL after ankle fracture surgery.MethodsThis cross-sectional study included 32 patients who underwent surgery for ankle fractures. QOL was assessed using the Self-Administered Foot Evaluation Questionnaire (SAFE-Q). Ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM) was measured with and without weight bearing. The weight-bearing ankle dorsiflexion ROM was measured using four methods: measuring the rear ankle with the knee extended and flexed, measuring the front ankle, and measuring the ankle during deep squat sitting. Gait parameters were measured using a three-dimensional motion analyzer. Multivariate analysis was performed using the four subscales of the SAFE-Q (pain and pain-related, physical functioning and daily living, social functioning, and general health and well-being) as dependent variables.ResultsThe multivariate analysis revealed that weight-bearing ankle dorsiflexion ROM during deep squat sitting was an independent variable for pain and pain-related [standardized partial regression coefficient (β) = 0.584, P < 0.001], physical functioning and daily living (β = 0.376; P = 0.006), social functioning (β = 0.317; P = 0.045), and general health and well-being (β = 0.483; P = 0.005). Gait speed was selected as an independent variable for physical functioning and daily living (β = 0.555; P < 0.001) and social functioning (β = 0.514; P = 0.002).ConclusionsWeight-bearing ankle dorsiflexion ROM during deep squat sitting and gait speed were associated with QOL of patients after ankle fracture surgery. These findings may inform treatment programs to improve QOL after ankle fractures and provide the theoretical background necessary for the development of new treatments.
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spelling doaj-art-9092b2f40ca64d4497d87f011541e4e12025-08-20T03:23:16ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Rehabilitation Sciences2673-68612025-08-01610.3389/fresc.2025.16456211645621Association between weight-bearing ankle dorsiflexion range of motion during deep squat sitting and quality of life after ankle fracture surgery: a cross-sectional studyHayato Miyasaka0Hayato Miyasaka1Bungo Ebihara2Takashi Fukaya3Koichi Iwai4Shigeki Kubota5Hirotaka Mutsuzaki6Hirotaka Mutsuzaki7Department of Rehabilitation, Tsuchiura Kyodo General Hospital, Tsuchiura, JapanGraduate School of Health Sciences, Ibaraki Prefectural University of Health Sciences, Ami, JapanDepartment of Rehabilitation, Tsuchiura Kyodo General Hospital, Tsuchiura, JapanDepartment of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Tsukuba International University, Tsuchiura, JapanCenter for Humanities and Sciences, Ibaraki Prefectural University of Health Sciences, Ami, JapanDepartment of Occupational Therapy, School of Health Sciences, Ibaraki Prefectural University of Health Sciences, Ami, JapanCenter for Medical Science, Ibaraki Prefectural University of Health Sciences, Ami, JapanDepartment of Orthopedic Surgery, Ibaraki Prefectural University of Health Sciences Hospital, Ami, JapanBackgroundAnkle fracture is a common type of trauma. Although ankle fractures reduce the quality of life (QOL), few studies have investigated this factor, and even fewer have investigated the impact of postoperative physical function on reduced QOL. We aimed to clarify the physical factors that affect the QOL after ankle fracture surgery.MethodsThis cross-sectional study included 32 patients who underwent surgery for ankle fractures. QOL was assessed using the Self-Administered Foot Evaluation Questionnaire (SAFE-Q). Ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM) was measured with and without weight bearing. The weight-bearing ankle dorsiflexion ROM was measured using four methods: measuring the rear ankle with the knee extended and flexed, measuring the front ankle, and measuring the ankle during deep squat sitting. Gait parameters were measured using a three-dimensional motion analyzer. Multivariate analysis was performed using the four subscales of the SAFE-Q (pain and pain-related, physical functioning and daily living, social functioning, and general health and well-being) as dependent variables.ResultsThe multivariate analysis revealed that weight-bearing ankle dorsiflexion ROM during deep squat sitting was an independent variable for pain and pain-related [standardized partial regression coefficient (β) = 0.584, P < 0.001], physical functioning and daily living (β = 0.376; P = 0.006), social functioning (β = 0.317; P = 0.045), and general health and well-being (β = 0.483; P = 0.005). Gait speed was selected as an independent variable for physical functioning and daily living (β = 0.555; P < 0.001) and social functioning (β = 0.514; P = 0.002).ConclusionsWeight-bearing ankle dorsiflexion ROM during deep squat sitting and gait speed were associated with QOL of patients after ankle fracture surgery. These findings may inform treatment programs to improve QOL after ankle fractures and provide the theoretical background necessary for the development of new treatments.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fresc.2025.1645621/fullankle fracturequality of lifeself-administered foot evaluation questionnaireankle dorsiflexionrange of motiondeep squatting
spellingShingle Hayato Miyasaka
Hayato Miyasaka
Bungo Ebihara
Takashi Fukaya
Koichi Iwai
Shigeki Kubota
Hirotaka Mutsuzaki
Hirotaka Mutsuzaki
Association between weight-bearing ankle dorsiflexion range of motion during deep squat sitting and quality of life after ankle fracture surgery: a cross-sectional study
Frontiers in Rehabilitation Sciences
ankle fracture
quality of life
self-administered foot evaluation questionnaire
ankle dorsiflexion
range of motion
deep squatting
title Association between weight-bearing ankle dorsiflexion range of motion during deep squat sitting and quality of life after ankle fracture surgery: a cross-sectional study
title_full Association between weight-bearing ankle dorsiflexion range of motion during deep squat sitting and quality of life after ankle fracture surgery: a cross-sectional study
title_fullStr Association between weight-bearing ankle dorsiflexion range of motion during deep squat sitting and quality of life after ankle fracture surgery: a cross-sectional study
title_full_unstemmed Association between weight-bearing ankle dorsiflexion range of motion during deep squat sitting and quality of life after ankle fracture surgery: a cross-sectional study
title_short Association between weight-bearing ankle dorsiflexion range of motion during deep squat sitting and quality of life after ankle fracture surgery: a cross-sectional study
title_sort association between weight bearing ankle dorsiflexion range of motion during deep squat sitting and quality of life after ankle fracture surgery a cross sectional study
topic ankle fracture
quality of life
self-administered foot evaluation questionnaire
ankle dorsiflexion
range of motion
deep squatting
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fresc.2025.1645621/full
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