Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
4.7
2.7
Journals
Healthcare
Special Issues
Comprehensive Foot and Ankle Health: Advances in Prevention, Diagnosis, Therapeutic...
share announcement

Comprehensive Foot and Ankle Health: Advances in Prevention, Diagnosis, Therapeutic Strategies, and Rehabilitation

A special issue of Healthcare (ISSN 2227-9032).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 11 December 2026 | Viewed by 1407

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Raquel Sánchez Rodríguez

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Nursing, University of Extremadura, 10600 Plasencia, Spain
Interests: foot posture; plantar pressure; thermography; textiles

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Foot and ankle disorders represent a major cause of pain, disability and reduced quality of life across all age groups. Despite significant advances in diagnostic technologies and therapeutic options, many patients continue to experience persistent symptoms, chronic pain, instability and limited mobility. This functional foot and ankle impairment in daily activities affects their autonomy and overall well-being and long-term health. Early identification of risk factors, together with a comprehensive approach integrating prevention, precise diagnosis, evidence-based therapeutic interventions and structured rehabilitation, remains essential to improving clinical outcomes and reducing the global burden of foot and ankle conditions in diverse populations.

This Special Issue, “Comprehensive Foot and Ankle Health: Advances in Prevention, Diagnosis, Therapeutic Strategies, and Rehabilitation”, aims to disseminate high-quality research addressing the full spectrum of foot and ankle conditions. We welcome original studies, including clinical trials, observational research, and innovative therapeutic developments focused on improving patient outcomes. Submissions may explore biomechanics, podiatric medicine, orthopaedics, sports-related injuries, surgical and conservative interventions, rehabilitation strategies, assistive technologies, and advanced imaging techniques. Narrative, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses that answer targeted clinical or methodological questions are also encouraged.

I look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Raquel Sánchez Rodríguez
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Healthcare is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • foot and ankle disorders
  • biomechanics
  • diagnostic techniques
  • therapeutic interventions
  • rehabilitation
  • podiatric medicine
  • musculoskeletal function

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (3 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

13 pages, 226 KB  
Article
Impact of Unilateral Sciatica Due to Lumbar Disc Hernia on Gait
by Patricia Balestra-Romero, María Reina-Bueno, María del Carmen Vázquez-Bautista, Pedro V. Munuera-Martínez and Inmaculada C. Palomo-Toucedo
Healthcare 2026, 14(10), 1268; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14101268 - 7 May 2026
Viewed by 197
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Sciatica secondary to lumbar disc herniation is a common cause of chronic radicular pain and functional disability. Since the sciatic nerve is involved in the motor and sensory innervation of the foot, it is important to evaluate the potential distal biomechanical [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Sciatica secondary to lumbar disc herniation is a common cause of chronic radicular pain and functional disability. Since the sciatic nerve is involved in the motor and sensory innervation of the foot, it is important to evaluate the potential distal biomechanical alterations it produces. Evidence regarding the effect of radicular pain on kinetic parameters remains limited and heterogeneous. The aim of this study was to describe gait characteristics in people with chronic unilateral radicular pain due to non-traumatic lumbar or lumbosacral disc herniation and to compare kinetic differences between the affected and unaffected limbs. Methods: A cross-sectional analytical observational study was conducted in 41 patients who met the inclusion criteria. Dynamic baropodometric assessment was performed using the Footscan® system. The analysis focused on kinetic parameters, including surface area, pressure, and maximum force, as well as spatiotemporal variables comprising stance time, step time, step length, and plantar push-off mechanics. Demographic data, Foot Posture Index (FPI) scores, and muscle strength were also recorded. Results: According to patient reports, the left foot was the most severely affected. Significant differences in muscle strength were found between the affected and unaffected limbs. However, no significant differences were observed in any of the kinetic or spatiotemporal parameters evaluated. Conclusions: Patients with unilateral sciatica due to lumbar disc herniation showed reduced muscle strength in the affected limb with no significant differences in kinetic or spatiotemporal gait parameters, suggesting compensatory mechanisms. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Comprehensive Foot and Ankle Health: Advances in Prevention, Diagnosis, Therapeutic Strategies, and Rehabilitation)
13 pages, 384 KB  
Article
Gait Biomechanics Across BMI Categories in Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study
by Carmen García-Gomariz, Sonia Andrés-Reig, María-José Chiva-Miralles, Roi Painceira-Villar and José-María Blasco
Healthcare 2026, 14(9), 1119; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14091119 - 22 Apr 2026
Viewed by 382
Abstract
Introduction: Although gait alterations associated with excess body weight have been widely studied, most available evidence comes from laboratory-based analyses, which limit ecological validity and the translation of findings into clinical practice. This study addresses this gap by examining gait biomechanics across [...] Read more.
Introduction: Although gait alterations associated with excess body weight have been widely studied, most available evidence comes from laboratory-based analyses, which limit ecological validity and the translation of findings into clinical practice. This study addresses this gap by examining gait biomechanics across BMI categories using portable sensor-based insoles that allow gait assessment in real-world conditions. Methods: A cross-sectional study including 96 adults categorized as normal weight (NW), overweight (OW), or obese (OB) was conducted. Gait biomechanics were recorded using PODOSmart® intelligent insoles, which capture spatiotemporal and angular parameters during natural walking. Foot health, quality of life and comorbildities were evaluated throught valeted questionnarires. Differences between groups were analyzed using ANOVA and chi-square tests. Age and sex, known to influence gait, were comparable across BMI groups and were considered in the interpretation of the results. Results: Overall, the participants in the OB group exhibited reduced stride length, gait speed, and swing time, increased double-support time, and greater pronation–supination and progression angles than OW and NW participants. Partial eta-squared values (η2p) were predominantly medium to large, reinforcing the robustness of these between-group differences (e.g., double-support time, p > 0.001; η2p = 0.19). Individuals with obesity reported poorer general and foot health and more difficulty finding suitable footwear. BMI was also significantly associated with hypertension, dyslipidemia, arthritis, and depression (all p <0.05), whereas diabetes, cardiopathies, knee pain, and fatigue andwalking or social activity limitations showed no significant differences. Conclusions: By using portable gait analysis technology in ecological conditions, this study provides novel evidence of clinically meaningful gait impairments across BMI groups. Higher BMI is associated with clinically relevant gait impairments, poorer perceptions of foot and general health, and a higher prevalence of several comorbidities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Comprehensive Foot and Ankle Health: Advances in Prevention, Diagnosis, Therapeutic Strategies, and Rehabilitation)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 237 KB  
Article
Passive Ankle Dorsiflexion and Single-Leg Balance Are Independently Associated with Locomotive Syndrome Severity in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study
by Satoshi Hakukawa, Junpei Matsumoto and Yusuke Kawamura
Healthcare 2026, 14(6), 742; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14060742 - 14 Mar 2026
Viewed by 436
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Foot impairments are common in older adults, but the independent associations of specific foot indices with locomotive syndrome (LS) severity remain unclear. We examined hallux valgus angle (HV), navicular height (NH), and passive ankle dorsiflexion (ADF). Methods: This cross-sectional study [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Foot impairments are common in older adults, but the independent associations of specific foot indices with locomotive syndrome (LS) severity remain unclear. We examined hallux valgus angle (HV), navicular height (NH), and passive ankle dorsiflexion (ADF). Methods: This cross-sectional study included 119 community-dwelling older adults classified into LS stages 0–3. Bilateral measures were summarized as maximum HV and minimum NH/ADF, reflecting the worst-affected side. Proportional-odds ordinal logistic regression modeled LS stage (0–3) with foot indices and covariates (age, sex, body mass index [BMI]). Extended models additionally adjusted for Timed Up and Go (TUG), gait speed, or single-leg stance (SLS). Sensitivity analysis used binary logistic regression (LS ≥ 2 vs. <2). Results: Greater ADF was independently associated with lower LS severity (OR per 1°, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.85–0.98; p < 0.01), whereas higher BMI was associated with greater LS severity (OR per 1 kg/m2, 1.15; 95% CI, 1.01–1.30; p < 0.05). HV and NH were not significant. After adjustment for TUG, gait speed, or SLS, ADF remained inversely associated with LS severity (ORs, 0.92–0.93; p < 0.05), while the BMI association was attenuated. In binary logistic regression, greater ADF was associated with lower odds of LS ≥ 2 (OR per 1°, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.76–0.94; p < 0.005). Conclusions: Reduced passive ankle dorsiflexion is independently associated with greater LS severity, robust after accounting for key mobility and balance measures. Interventions targeting ankle mobility may represent a potentially modifiable factor and warrants confirmation in longitudinal and interventional studies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Comprehensive Foot and Ankle Health: Advances in Prevention, Diagnosis, Therapeutic Strategies, and Rehabilitation)
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-3
Back to TopTop