May 2017

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Cover Story


Stepping Up: Orthotic devices help patients boost physical activity levels

Improved mobility with ankle foot orthoses and other devices can help patients experience the multiple health benefits of increased physical activity. But aggressive activity goals— including the oft-cited target of 10,000 steps per day— may still be problematic for some device users.

By Larry Hand

Editor Message


Out on a limb: Healing arts

Healthcare practitioners and artists wouldn’t seem to have much in common, other than perhaps an appreciation of anatomy. But a new book has made me think the two professions also share an appreciation of people.

By Jordana Bieze Foster, Editor

LER Pediatrics:


From the editor: Concussion’s whole-body effects

As I was proofing pages for this month’s LER: Pediatrics, my next-door neighbor called to say her 9-year-old daughter had fallen, hard on her head, while practicing gymnastics. She wanted to me to come and watch her baby while she took her older child to the emergency department. But, after a few minutes of us watching her daughter vomit and not respond to questions, my neighbor asked me to call an ambulance.

By Emily Delzell, Senior Editor

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Departments


National Biomechanics Day thrills kids worldwide

National Biomechanics Day continued to build momentum in its second year, as scientists from Delaware to New Zealand got a jump on recruiting the next generation of biomechanists by demonstrating a wide range of applications—not to mention just how much fun the field can be.

By Hank Black

Stress fractures: Lessons from military research

Lower extremity stress fractures are not limited to members of the armed forces, but have been studied extensively in military populations. That body of evidence has important implications for stress fracture prevention and management in runners, other athletes, and even nonathletes.

By Baris K. Gun, DO; Andrew C. McCoy, DPM; Kevin C. Wang, BS; and Brian R. Waterman, MD

Somatosensory deficits following ACL surgery

Research suggests light touch sensation in the foot and ankle may be negatively affected several years after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction—a finding consistent with studies that have reported decreased somatosensation in patients with other lower extremity conditions.

By Matthew Hoch, PhD, LAT; Steven Morrison, PhD; and Johanna Hoch, PhD, LAT

Unique orthotic strategies for low-volume footwear

The low-volume shoes worn by cyclists, figure skaters, and others can make orthotic management of these patients challenging. So, lower extremity practitioners have had to develop creative strategies for achieving the desired biomechanical effects while working within a limited space.

By Jill R. Dorson

News

In the Moment: Sports Medicine

Benefits of blood flow: Effect may facilitate Achilles healing 

Microcirculatory blood flow two weeks after Achilles tendon repair is correlated with long-term patient-reported and functional outcomes, according to research from Sweden in which blood flow in both the injured and contralateral tendons was associated with healing potential.

By Katie Bell

Visual feedback on ground contact time helps improve performance in runners

Visual-augmented feedback-based training focused on reducing ground contact time is associated with improved performance in trained distance runners, according to a Swiss study.

By Jordana Bieze Foster

ACLR patients exhibit hop test deficits between limbs and vs matched controls

After anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR), hop test scores differ not only between limbs but also when scores for either limb are compared with normative data from healthy athletes, according to research from the Netherlands that could have return-to-sports implications.

By Jordana Bieze Foster

In the Moment: Diabetes

Alternating recurrence: Subsequent ulcers often occur in new sites

Most practitioners are aware that diabetic foot ulcers have a high recurrence rate, but might be surprised by findings epublished in April suggesting a relatively large number of subsequent ulcers occur at new locations, including the contralateral foot.

By Stephanie Kramer

Shoe closure technique affects thermal stress response in at-risk individuals

Shoelace closure technique can affect plantar thermal stress response (TSR) in patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy, according to a study from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX, that has implications for foot ulcer prevention.

By Jordana Bieze Foster

High neuropathy prevalence at rural free clinic underscores unmet need

The prevalence of diabetic peripheral neuropathy at a free clinic in rural South Carolina is significantly higher than averages reported in the literature, according to findings that underscore the need to improve diabetes education and foot care in underserved populations.

By Jordana Bieze Foster

Market Mechanics

By Emily Delzell


Products


Adrenaline GTS 17 Shoe

The Adrenaline GTS 17 from Brooks Sports has been updated with a more streamlined look and softer feel underfoot. The Adrenaline shoe still features a secure, comfortable fit while providing support, and is equipped with a full-length segmented crash pad to accommodate…

Healthy Gummies From Coral

To make good health a more palatable, Coral introduces Organic Hawaiian Red Turmeric Gummiesfor adults and children and Natural Calcium Gummies for kids. The turmeric gummies showcase the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capabilities of turmeric…

Pro-Tech Orb Extreme Mini

Now available from Pro-Tech Athletics is the Orb Extreme Mini myofascial release ball, in a smallersize (3″ diameter) than the company’s Orb Extreme deep tissue massage ball. The ball facilitates single-point myo­fascial release to promote flexibility and…

LoRox Aligned Travel Roller

OPTP has expanded its options for portable foam rollers with the new LoRox Aligned Travel Roller, produced in partnership with fascia and body alignment expert Lauren Roxburgh, CSI. Made of durable, moderate density EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) foam, the compact roller…

Pressure Positive Three-zone Tool

The new 3Tool, exclusively available in the US from The Pressure Positive Company, is an easy-to-use, intuitive, affordable, and compact massage tool with three zones intended to treat muscle contractures, loosen vertebral segments, and massage tired muscles…

Core-Spun Support Socks

Core-Spun Support Socks by Therafirm are now available in four fashionable patterns. Thin Line, a pattern designed for women, is a white sock with pink and soft grey stripes. Merger, designed for men, is a black sock with navy and grey stripes…

New Thickness of ProComp

Cascade Orthopedic Supply offers a new 1/4″ thickness of ProComp, the company’s pre­preg composite material that has been infused with discontinuous carbon fibers, which allow for flow and stretch during melt temperature vacuum forming…

Samuel Hubbard Ivy Legend

Samuel Hubbard now offers the Ivy Legend men’s shoe line. Available in hand-colored black leather, cordovan, or whiskey leather with an antique finish, the shoes feature a classic loafer design with hand stitching and pin-tucking details…