title: Star excursion balance test for assessment of dynamic instability of the ankle in patients after harvest of a fibular free flap: a two-centre study.
abstract: We aimed to show that the star excursion balance test can identify instability in the ankle of patients who have had harvest of a fibular free flap. We compared the reach distance of the operated leg against that of the non-operated leg in 26 patients who had had harvest of the flap over a period of three years from August 2009 at two different centres. The goal of the test is to reach as far as possible with one leg in eight directions while balancing on the other. We also assessed the overall function of the operated leg using the Foot and Ankle Disability Index (FADI) and the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Score (AOFAS). The star excursion balance test is simple and cheap, and is quick and easy to do in the outpatient department.
authors.affiliation: Hull Royal Infirmary. Electronic address: ketan.shah@wales.nhs.uk.
authors.forename: K C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.affiliation: Hull Royal Infirmary.
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Peehal
authors.affiliation: Bhagwan Mahaveer Jain Hospital, Bengaluru, India.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.affiliation: Hull Royal Infirmary.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Crank
authors.affiliation: Leeds General Infirmary.
authors.forename: H S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Flora
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000842:Ankle / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D005360:Fibula / Q000637:transplantation*; D058752:Free Tissue Flaps; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D004856:Postural Balance; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Fibular free flap; ankle instability; dynamic functional stress; head and neck oncology; star balance and excursion test