August 2016

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Download the Complete issue as a PDF (6.8 mb)

Cover Story


Pregnancy and gait: From foot pain to fall prevention

Researchers are investigating how changes during pregnancy may affect the lower extremities in the long term, as well as ways to treat and prevent these issues.

By Lori Roniger

Editor Message


Out on a limb: Falling in with feedback

One of the interesting things about LER’s multi­disciplinary perspective is being able to follow a new idea as it is examined and embraced by one specialty after another, each with its own therapeutic goals and challenges.

By Jordana Bieze Foster, Editor

Departments


Management of Achilles tendinopathy in runners

Achilles tendinopathy is a common lower extremity injury in athletes as well as nonathletes. The Achilles tendon is often a site of injury in runners and is the second most common running-related musculo­skeletal injury, after medial tibial stress syndrome, with an…

By Howard Kashefsky, DPM

Uneven terrain: Tactics for orthotic-device users

Helping patients manage an orthotic device can be challenging, but doing so in the face of uneven terrain is a balancing act between stability, mobility, and strength. Device adjustments and rehabilitation pro­tocols can help patients avoid asymmetries and reduce the risk of falling.

By Shalmali Pal

Foot strike while running and patellofemoral pain

Recent research supports the idea that increased patellofemoral stress is a contributing factor in runners with patello­femoral pain, and that gait retraining to promote a…

By Jenevieve L. Roper, PhD; Deborah L. Doerfler, PT, DPT, PhD; Christine M. Mermier, PhD; and Janet S. Dufek, PhD

Foot rotation during gait in patients with knee OA

Rotating the foot in or out during gait is associated with significant decreases in frontal plane knee load during early or late stance, respectively, and can be effective for reducing pain and potentially slowing the progression of…

By Kevin Alan Valenzuela, ABD, CSCS; and Hunter Jared Bennett, PhD

Radiofrequency-based arthroscopy in the ankle

The results of a retrospective chart review suggest that the use of plasma-mediated bipolar radiofrequency-based arthroscopic microdebridement is associated with notable decreases…

By Renato Giorgini, DPM, FACFAS; Stephanie Giles, DPM; Omer Aci, DPM; and Christopher Japour, DPM, MS 

News

In the Moment: Sports Medicine

Striking out hamstring strain: Protocol helps protect baseball players

A hamstring injury intervention program is effective for reducing the rate of hamstring injuries and reinjuries in professional baseball players, according to ongoing research from the University of Delaware presented in July at the annual meeting of the…

By Katie Bell

Achilles tendon size, stiffness differ based on runners’ shoe preference

The Achilles tendons of experienced minimalist runners differ from the tendons of those who wear traditional running shoes with regard to size, stiffness, and stress, according to research from the University of Connecticut in Storrs that…

By Jordana Bieze Foster

Athletes with low neurocognitive scores exhibit high-risk landing biomechanics

Athletes with low neurocognitive scores are more likely than their higher-scoring counterparts to demonstrate landing mechanics associated with anterior cruciate injury (ACL) risk, according to research from the University of Florida in Gainesville.

By Jordana Bieze Foster

Market Mechanics

By Emily Delzell


Products


Clima-Flex OA Knee Brace

DJO Global has launched the Clima-Flex OA Knee Brace from DonJoy. The Clima-Flex OA Knee Brace is designed to offer a new level of comfortable cooling relief through compression and offloading for patients with mild to moderate…

Peg Assist Walker Insole

Darco International announces another addition to its popular Peg Assist Offloading Insole line of products, the new Peg Assist Walker Insole. The easy to use, off-the-shelf product quickly turns most standard walking boots into a more…

OP-Tek Flex Materials

Curbell Plastics announces the availability of OP-Tek Flex materials—soft, flexible sheet materials designed to maximize patient comfort when used for prosthetic inner liners and orthotic inner boots. Curbell is the exclusive distributor for the…

iTOM-CAT Scanning System

SOLO Laboratories is proud to release the iTOM-CAT, a new innovation in 3D scanning technology. Portability and ease of transport make this iPad-based scanner system a convenient option for clinicians who work out of multiple locations or…

Diabetic A5513 Custom Insert

Allied OSI Labs adds the Diabetic A5513 Custom Insert to its growing catalog of foot and ankle products. The Diabetic A5513 Custom Insert is designed to help prevent foot wounds that can lead to amputation in patients with diabetes.

Turbomed FS3000 External AFO

Turbomed Orthotics offers the FS3000 external foot drop brace. The FS3000 brace is a custom-built modular AFO (ankle foot orthosis) made from highly durable thermoplastic. The device attaches to the outside of a patient’s footwear and…

Earthwalk Sterling Collection Orthoses

The Sterling Collection from Earthwalk Orthotics combines alchemy and biomechanics, incorporating the healing properties of silver in the design to maximize performance. Every design feature was carefully selected for its unique contribution to the…

DVS-Dynamic Vacuum System

Ottobock has released the DVS-Dynamic Vacuum, a socket technology solution for transtibial amputees.  Integrating innovative design with simplicity, the DVS system reduces the movement between the limb and socket that is associated with…

AF7 Ankle Bracing Sleeve

Sports medicine and performance brand OS1st has released the AF7 Ankle Bracing Sleeve. Like all the company’s technical bracing sleeves, the slip-on AF7 Ankle Bracing Sleeve features Compression Zone Technology for graduated…

Restiffic RLS Therapy

New from medi USA is Restiffic, a drug-free treatment for restless leg syndrome (RLS). Restiffic is a foot wrap that provides gentle, relaxing pressure on the abductor hallucis and flexor hallucis brevis muscles, which helps reduce uncontrollable…

Comfort Air Stabilizer Gauntlet

New from CyberKinetics is the Comfort Air Stabilizer Gauntlet, with special breathability features to maximize patient comfort and improve compliance without sacrificing support, control, or function. The defining characteristic of the…

Quadrastep Now In New Sizes

Nolaro24 proudly introduces two new sizes of its Quadrastep System custom-to-foot-type prefabricated foot orthosis line. The product line now fits up to men’s size 14 in C Quad orthoses for neutral feet and D Quad ortho­ses for…