Category Archives: Feature Article
December 2009
The Home Stretch: Paths to pain relief
Stretching and splinting have long been treatment strategies for plantar fasciitis. However, new research and ongoing clinical experience are calling into question older methodologies and providing evidence for some new approaches.
by Cary Groner
December 2009
Underuse, overuse both can lead to PTTD
Ongoing research into posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD) has revealed risk factors that include female sex, increasing age, overweight, unsupportive footwear, and even metabolic syndromes such as diabetes. Although typically associated with older, inactive patients, PTTD is also seen more rarely in young athletes.
by Cary Groner
December 2009
CP gait studies document AFO efficacy
Clinicians who treat ambulatory cerebral palsy patients rely heavily on ankle-foot orthoses, which are the most effective treatment option for improving gait mechanics. But because CP encompasses such a wide range of symptoms, selecting the most appropriate corrective brace for a patient’s specific gait abnormality or abnormalities can present clinical challenges. Recent studies that shed light on ankle-foot orthoses’ impact on gait are characteristic of crucial ongoing research.
By Linda Weber
December 2009
Sport-specific advances benefit all amputees
Whether it’s rock climbing, triathalons, cycling, running or the high jump, advances in prosthetic design have made high-caliber athletic competition a reality for some amputees. One such athlete testified in the September issue of Prosthetics and Orthotics International, “Snowboarding with the new prosthesis is like it was before the amputation!”
by Barbara Boughton
December 2009
Early, active ACL rehab maximizes ROM
Achieving full range of motion is a key outcome of any rehabilitation program after ACL reconstruction. But what are the ingredients of a rehabilitation program that produces the best outcomes in terms of ROM?
By Barbara Boughton
November 2009
Managing turf toe in football players
Grade 1 and 2 turf toe hyperextension injuries have good outcomes when treated non-operatively, but the optimal treatment for grade 3 is unclear.
By Seth C. Gamradt, MD, and Robert H. Brophy, MD
November 2009
Kinematics of PTTD dictate management
Researchers are only starting to examine how orthotic management of PTTD affects foot and ankle kinematics.
By Jeff Houck, PT, PhD, Christopher G. Neville, PT, MS, and Adolph Flemister, MD
November 2009
Feedback-based rehab could lower risk of OA
Feedback-based gait retraining may help reduce rates of loading by improving joint kinematics and proprioception.
By Jody L. Riskowski, PhD
November 2009
Diabetes: Offloading difficult wounds
If foot pressures are to be reduced, healing to progress, and prevention of ulceration to be a realistic
goal, offloading is imperative. Part one of two.
By Robert J. Snyder, DPM, FACFAS, CWS, and Karen K. Lanier, CPed
November 2009
Achilles tendinopathy: A four-part approach
Treatment program includes patient education, deep friction massage, eccentric exercise, and Mulligan taping.
By Russell Woodman, FSOM,OCS,MCTA, DPT, and Juan C. Garbalosa, PhD, PT
October 2009
Practice Tactics: Assess, then exceed patient expectations
As patients pay more for healthcare, they will expect more from the patient experience. The most successful practices will be those that are best able to meet — and exceed — those expectations.
By Jason Kraus
October 2009
Controlling drop foot: Beyond standard AFOs
The basic goal is to improve toe clearance during swing and provide stability during stance, but new orthotic technologies do much more.
By Jeremy Farley, CPO/L
October 2009
Orthoses: Alternatives for midfoot arthritis pain
Full-length carbon graphite orthoses may improve outcomes through load redistribution and forefoot motion control.
By Smita Rao, PT, PhD
October 2009
Balancing risks, rewards of athletic shoe traction
Research suggests that traction on modern artificial turf can vary depending on cutting angle.
By Michelle Sabick, PhD; Benjamin Cooper, MS; Seth Kuhlman, MS; and Ronald Pfeiffer, EdD, LAT, ATC
October 2009
Functional hallux limitus: Diagnosis and treatment
Once identified, functional hallux limitus can be effectively managed with orthotic devices.
By James G. Clough, DPM Continue reading
October 2009
Diabetes: Improving foot care compliance
More favorable diabetic foot ulcer outcomes will require a better understanding of why patients don’t comply.
By Ryan Crews, MS, CCRP
September 2009
Diabetes: Pressure data guide offloading efforts
Pinpoint problem areas, compare orthotic devices and improve consistency in fabrication.
By Georgeanne Botek, DPM, and Tammy M. Owings, DEng.
September 2009
Stroke: The evidence for orthotic treatment
The literature on use of AFOs for stroke management could—and should—change your practice. By Stefania Fatone, PhD, BPO(Hons)
September 2009
Fifth met stress fracture: Load-based risk factors
Male gender, athletic task, foot type, and shoe design may all contribute to lateral forefoot loading.
By Robin M. Queen, PhD, and James A. Nunley II, MD
September 2009
Ankle balance training targets recurrent injury
Reducing sprain recurrence in turn reduces the risk of chronic ankle instability and osteoarthritis. By Erik A. Wikstrom, PhD, ATC, and Mitchell L. Cordova, PhD, ATC
September 2009
Orthotics: Management of functional flat foot
Optimal arch height may depend on whether the goal is to control motion or dynamic balance.
By Stephen D. Perry, PhD, E. Anne Cunningham, Msc, CPed, and Kelly M. Goodwin, BSc
August 2009
Achilles tears: Angling for optimal outcomes
The optimal immobilization angle for Achilles tendon healing may be smaller than previously thought.
By Walter H. Wray III, MD, Conor Regan, MD, Sagar Patel, BS, Ryan May, BS, and Selene G. Parekh, MD, MBA
August 2009
Diabetes: Taking steps to prevent amputation
How a Nashville intervention program decreased amputation rates by 40% over a five year period.
By Mark Hinkes, DPM
August 2009
Rehab speeds return after ACL surgery
At this knee center, return to play is based not on the calendar but on range of motion and strength. By Scott E. Urch, MD, K. Donald Shelbourne, MD, and Heather Freeman, PT, DHS
August 2009
How cadavers could change your practice
Modeling studies have implications for management of plantar fasciitis, stress fractures and PTTD.
By Erin D. Ward, DPM
