April 2016

Download the Complete issue as a PDF (8.4mb)

Download the Complete issue as a PDF (8.4mb)

Cover Story


Shoring up the rotation: The importance of hip mechanics in pitching

Over the course of a season, collegiate pitchers undergo changes in hip rotational range of motion and hip strength—changes that could increase injury risk or negatively affect performance.

By Giorgio Zeppieri Jr, MPT, SCS, CSCS

Editor Message


Out on a limb: Ingenuity targets activity

Diabetic foot specialists have a range of options for managing diabetic foot ulcers—from offloading devices to skin substitutes to surgical procedures. But sometimes the most effective treatment is the one that compels an active patient to simply slow down.

By Jordana Bieze Foster, Editor

Departments


Managing hallux limitus and rigidus in athletes

The terms “hallux limitus” and “hallux rigidus” refer to a degenerative process of the great toe joint that was first described by Davies-Colley1 in 1887 and termed hallux flexus. Cotterill later coined the term hallux rigidus.2 The two terms represent a progression in…

By Howard Kashefsky, DPM, FACFAS

Achilles experts ponder effects of heel elevation

After an Australian study raised questions about the conventional practice of elevating the heel to decrease Achilles tendon load, researchers and clinicians have been revisiting what is known about the many factors—including pain—that can affect tendon load and function.

by Cary Groner

Influence of estrogen on the plantar fascia

Reported effects of estrogen on knee ligaments and the Achilles tendon raise questions about how the plantar fascia might be altered during the menstrual cycle and how those changes might affect injury risk.

By Jerrold Petrofsky, PhD, JD; and Haneul Lee, PT, DSc 

The clinical implications of accelerated knee OA

Accelerated knee osteoarthritis (OA), defined by very rapid radiographic disease progression, is also associated with earlier and more severe symptoms than traditional OA. Identification of…

By Jeffrey B. Driban, PhD, ATC, CSCS

Emerging treatments for diabetic neuropathy

Strict glycemic control is the most reliable treatment for diabetic peripheral neuropathy, but expanding knowledge of central and peripheral nervous system processes may help identify therapeutic methods…

By Sarnarendra Miranpuri, DPM, MD; Kush Patel; Gurwattan Miranpuri, PhD; Abhishek Chopra; and Ravinderjit Singh

News

In the Moment: Sports Medicine

Get stronger, live longer: But few older adults meet US guidelines

Strength training twice weekly, as recommended by two national organizations, can help reduce all-cause mortality in older US adults, but fewer than 10% meet that recommendation, according to a study from Pennsylvania State University.

By Katie Bell

Soccer study finds steady rate of ACL injuries, disappointing 3-year outcomes

Despite advances in prevention and intervention, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are no less common among professional soccer players now than in 2001, according to research from Sweden.

By Jordana Bieze Foster

Minimalist footwear, shortened stride affect loads differently during running

Running in minimalist footwear and running with a shorter stride length are both associated with reduced knee loads, but the two approaches differ in their effects on loading at the ankle, according to research from the University of Calgary in Canada.

By Jordana Bieze Foster

In the Moment: O&P

Stability for CP: AFO use benefits diplegic children

In children with diplegic cerebral palsy (CP), wearing bilateral ankle foot orthoses (AFOs) that promote heel-first ground contact helps to improve stability and may reduce the risk of falls, according to research presented in March at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists (AAOP) in Orlando, FL.

By Jordana Bieze Foster

Shifting position of shoe heel rocker affects ankle mechanics during gait

Varying the placement of a shoe heel rocker affects walking gait kinematics, even when the toe rocker placement is kept constant, according to research presented in March at the annual AAOP meeting in Orlando, FL.

By Jordana Bieze Foster

Kinematics at foot, not shank, respond to increases in heel-sole differential

Elevating the heel of a shoe significantly affects foot kinematics but not shank kinematics during gait, according to research from the UK presented in March at the annual AAOP meeting in Orlando, FL.

By Jordana Bieze Foster

Market Mechanics

By Emily Delzell


Products


FS6 Compression Foot Sleeve

Allied OSI Labs has added the FS6 Compression Sleeve to its growing catalog of products for foot and ankle practices. The FS6 Compression Sleeve is designed to relieve the pain and swelling associated with plantar fasciitis by offering six zones of compression and support: firm compression…

Orpyx SurroSense Rx

Orpyx’s flagship product, the SurroSense Rx, is a wearable tool to help manage and track complications associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy. The SurroSense Rx system alerts the user via a smartwatch when plantar pressures are detected above a threshold level for a prolonged period, so…

SportsAT 2.0 Software

New from Tekscan, the SportsAT 2.0 software provides essential information for complete balance and concussion assessments. Sports medicine professionals can use SportsAT 2.0 to complete objective baseline and postinjury tests, quickly assess injury risk, identify asymmetries, and…

TheraSport Leg Sleeves

Therafirm’s new TheraSport brand introduces TheraSport Athletic Leg Sleeves to round out a product line engineered to improve circulation and help provide energy for greater endurance, enhanced performance, and a speedy recovery. The soft, lightweight sleeves feature a comfortable band with a…

3DSizeME with Color Detection

The 3DsizeME system from TechMed 3D—including the Structure Sensor, 3DsizeME free iPad app, and MSoft software—is a compact, versatile, and affordable scanning solution that now offers a new color detection feature. Operators can now use colored positioning targets to identify anatomical landmarks or…

FootFidget Exercise Device

Designed by physical therapists, the FootFidget is a versatile exercise device for health and fitness that can be used as a dynamic footrest when sitting or standing for long periods of time. “Fidgeting” (pressing the foot against the device’s flexible resistance bands) while sitting or standing can help improve…

Tendon Trak For Tendinopathy

Created by a physical therapist for treating lower extremity tendinopathies, the Tendon Trak from Innovative Bracing supports the tendon to decrease pain and improve function by facilitating anatomically efficient muscle contraction without excessive compression.

WalkingHealth Fall-Risk Analysis

WalkJoy has updated the software used with its namesake gait restoration product to help clinicians assess a patient’s risk of falling. WalkingHealth is a portable gait analysis tool to identify a patient’s risk of falling as low, medium, or…