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Open research questions in Lower Extremity Biomechanics and Pathologies

200 unresolved questions extracted from the limitations and future-work sections of 997 Lower Extremity Biomechanics and Pathologies papers in our library. Each links back to the study that raised it.

What the literature leaves open

  • Only eight of the 32 participants were licensed therapists, - The study was conducted in a laboratory setting, - The sample size was limited to 32 participants

    Postural risk factors for work-related musculoskeletal disorders during manual versus device-assisted lower-limb stretching · 2026 · DOI

  • Further studies should investigate the postural risk factors for WMSDs in experienced clinicians, - Research should be conducted in diverse practice settings

    Postural risk factors for work-related musculoskeletal disorders during manual versus device-assisted lower-limb stretching · 2026 · DOI

  • Investigate the effect of running retraining on injury incidence in novice runners, - Examine the impact of training parameters on the risk of sustaining knee injuries, - Study the relationship between running cadence and the risk of overuse foot injuries

    Minimalist Footwear and Softer Running Technique Alter Injury Location but Not Incidence in Recreational Endurance Runners · 2026 · DOI

  • There is limited scientific evidence supporting the effectiveness of minimalist footwear in reducing the risk of running-related injuries. There is limited scientific evidence supporting the effectiveness of running retraining in reducing the risk of running-related injuries.

    Minimalist Footwear and Softer Running Technique Alter Injury Location but Not Incidence in Recreational Endurance Runners · 2026 · DOI

  • Blinding of participants was not feasible, - The study was limited to healthy adults, - The sample size was 29 participants

    Immediate effects of the retrocapital pad and toe bar in sensorimotor foot orthoses on the electromyographic activity of the gastrocnemius muscle in healthy adults · 2026 · DOI

  • Investigate the effects of SMFOs on gastrocnemius activity in patients with lower-limb pathologies, - Examine the long-term effects of SMFOs on muscle activity, - Study the effects of SMFOs on other muscle groups

    Immediate effects of the retrocapital pad and toe bar in sensorimotor foot orthoses on the electromyographic activity of the gastrocnemius muscle in healthy adults · 2026 · DOI

  • The complexity of modeling the biomechanical plantar pressure loading on a layered shoe sole. The need to balance conflicting requirements such as redistributing ground reaction forces and minimizing peak pressure on sensitive anatomical features. The challenge of optimizing shoe sole design for improved performance and reduced injury risk.

    Finite element analysis of a layered shoe sole under biomechanical plantar pressure loading · 2026 · DOI

  • Incorporating foot-geometry, subject-specific, or gait-dynamic detail of full 3D coupled foot-shoe models, - Systematic parameter search using Taguchi-or ML-based frameworks, - Testing a specific outsole thickness or midsole modulus before committing to a full optimisation run

    Finite element analysis of a layered shoe sole under biomechanical plantar pressure loading · 2026 · DOI

  • Purpose Torsional malalignment is an important but frequently underrecognized contributor to patellofemoral instability (PFI) in children and adolescents.

    Assessment and management of torsional malalignment in paediatric patients with patellofemoral joint instability · 2026 · DOI

  • Although body weight is known to influence HFP thickness, the differences in HFP morphology among athletes across sports have not been fully elucidated.

    Comparative analysis of heel fat pad morphology among university athletes from different sports · 2026 · DOI

  • Despite its clinical importance, only a few studies have explored how its prevalence and risk factors vary across different sociocultural settings.

    Prevalence and modifiable risk factors for pediatric flatfoot among schoolchildren in Kunming and Kandahar: a cross-sectional study · 2026 · DOI

  • However, some postoperative complications may occur 3–6 months after subtalar arthroereisis, and few studies have explored plantar pressure and lower limb muscle activation patterns during this period.

    Plantar pressure distribution during gait cycle after subtalar arthroereisis in adolescent flexible flatfoot · 2025 · DOI

  • Despite the limitations of this study, the findings suggesting operative management may improve prospects of maintaining elite performance following RTP warrant further investigation.

    Return to play and performance after patellar fracture in American professional sports: a case–control cohort analysis · 2024 · DOI

  • However, to date, there is limited research on patella, tibia or fibula, or ankle fractures (FPTFA) disease burden.

    Global, regional and country-specific burden of patella, tibia or fibula, or ankle fractures and its prediction to 2035: findings from global burden of disease study 2019 · 2024 · DOI

  • Kinovea, an open-access video analysis-free application, has enabled clinicians to conduct gait analysis at a relatively low cost, but its reliability in assessing dynamic foot posture has not been studied.

    Inter-observer reliability of Kinovea® software in dynamic foot posture analysis in healthy population · 2024 · DOI

  • However, their efficacy in addressing PFPS remains underexplored, particularly in the context of recreational long-distance runners.

    Effect of mindfulness training in adjunct to conventional physiotherapy on pain, function, and mindfulness attention awareness score in recreational long distance runners with patellofemoral pain syndrome: A randomized controlled trial protocol · 2024 · DOI

  • Vertical dislocation is an uncommon type of intra-articular patellar dislocation. The condition may not be clinically apparent nor easily diagnosed on plain radiographs.

    Vertical Patellar Dislocation · 2026 · DOI

  • The optimal timing for surgery for a cartilage defect remains unknown. The complication rate for anteromedialization is 10-30%, mostly leading to skin necrosis and prominence of hardware, compartment syndrome, and nonunion.

    Management of chondromalacia patellae in elite athletes: Balancing high-performance demands with joint preservation · 2026 · DOI

  • The optimal timing for surgery for a cartilage defect remains unknown. There is a need for a personalized, multimodal approach to manage chondromalacia patellae in elite athletes.

    Management of chondromalacia patellae in elite athletes: Balancing high-performance demands with joint preservation · 2026 · DOI

  • There is a lack of studies investigating the interrelationship between muscle morphology and function in the residual limb. There is a need for further research on the effects of transfemoral amputation on muscle morphology and function.

    MUSCLE MORPHOLOGY AND FUNCTION FOLLOWING A TRANSFEMORAL AMPUTATION: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW · 2026 · DOI

  • Further studies can be conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the program in a larger population. The program can be modified to suit different types of pes planus.

    Role of Arch Correction and Physical Exercise in Improving Pes Planus: A Case Study · 2026 · DOI

  • One challenge is the heterogeneity of study designs, participant characteristics, sensor types, outcome measures, reference standards, and validation protocols. Another challenge is the limited reporting of reliability-related outcomes and measurement error in the included studies. The paper also identifies the need for more research on the use of wearable sensors in functional biomechanical tests of the foot and ankle.

    Functional Biomechanical Tests of the Foot and Ankle in Physiotherapy and Sports—Outcome Measures, Wearable Sensor Integration, and Psychometric Properties: A Systematic Review · 2026 · DOI

  • heterogeneity precluded meta-analysis, - reliability indices and measurement error were inconsistently reported, - no study reported MCID, - small sample size of 83 participants

    Functional Biomechanical Tests of the Foot and Ankle in Physiotherapy and Sports—Outcome Measures, Wearable Sensor Integration, and Psychometric Properties: A Systematic Review · 2026 · DOI

  • The study used a limited number of participants - The study only considered two foot strike patterns - The study used a simplified 2D beam theory for estimating internal tibial loading

    A comparison of modeling approaches when estimating tibial loading during running with different foot strike patterns · 2026 · DOI

  • Future studies can investigate the effects of other foot strike patterns on tibial loading - Future studies can evaluate the effectiveness of interventions aimed at reducing tibial stress injury risk - Future studies can use more advanced methods for estimating internal tibial loading

    A comparison of modeling approaches when estimating tibial loading during running with different foot strike patterns · 2026 · DOI

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200 open questions have been extracted from the limitations and future-work passages of 997 Lower Extremity Biomechanics and Pathologies papers in our library. Each one below links back to the study that raised it, so you can read the original claim in context.

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