Cover Story
As a growing number of studies report associations between concussion and musculoskeletal injury risk, new research suggests concussed athletes may also have an increased risk of osteoarthritis later in life.
By Robert C. Lynall, PhD, ATC; Timothy C. Mauntel, PhD, ATC; David R. Howell, PhD, ATC; and Thomas A. Buckley, EdD, ATC
Editor Message
The use of advanced technologies to provide feedback to patients during rehabilitation is all the rage in lower extremity healthcare. But, as exciting as these new modalities can be, it’s important to remember that low-tech feedback strategies can make hi-tech data even more clinically useful.
Jordana Bieze Foster, Editor
Departments
As a growing number of studies report associations between concussion and musculoskeletal injury risk, new research suggests concussed athletes may also have an increased risk of osteoarthritis later in life.
By Robert C. Lynall, PhD, ATC; Timothy C. Mauntel, PhD, ATC; David R. Howell, PhD, ATC; and Thomas A. Buckley, EdD, ATC
Because footwear alters sensory perception, research examining the role of cutaneous feedback in barefoot running may provide important insight related to some of the gait changes that occur in patients with…
By Melissa Thompson, PhD, and Kristine Hoffman, DPM, FACFAS
Lower extremity clinicians say ankle foot orthoses, rocker-soled shoes, and other orthotic interventions can benefit patients with peripheral arterial disease and intermittent claudication by making it easier for them to exercise, and research is starting to demonstrate these benefits.
By Shalmali Pal
Wearable sensors allow for the collection of running biomechanics data outside the laboratory in natural training environments, enabling clinicians to collect a large volume of information in a relatively short time to help identify and manage individuals who may be at risk for running-related injuries.
By Rachel Koldenhoven, MEd, ATC; and Alex DeJong, MEd, ATC
It’s not unusual for any practitioner to experience complicated emotions when a death or a terminal diagnosis disrupts the personal bond forged with a patient over many years, but experts say lower extremity clinicians often are not well equipped to deal with these emotions.
By Emily Delzell
News
In the Moment: Sports Medicine
Wearing heel lifts in conventional running shoes can help reduce patellofemoral joint loading and may offer an alternative to gait retraining in runners with patellofemoral pain (PFP), according to research conducted at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.
By Jill R. Dorson
A combination of four variables predicts 90% of cases of recurrent lateral ankle sprain within one year of an initial sprain, according to research from the University of Sydney in Australia.
By Jordana Bieze Foster
Video feedback is associated with improved landing mechanics—suggesting a reduced risk of anterior cruciate ligament injury—during a sport-specific task, according to research from the University of Groningen Medical Center in the Netherlands.
By Jordana Bieze Foster
In the Moment: Diabetees
The concept of foot temperature monitoring to identify areas of increased risk of ulceration in patients with diabetes is promising, but new research from the Netherlands suggests clinical use of the technology will require more than a single temperature assessment.
By Keith Loria
Lower extremity muscle force during gait differs significantly among patients with diabetic neuropathy, patients with diabetes but no neuropathy, and controls, according to research from Brazil that underscores the importance of maintaining proximal muscle function in patients with diabetes.
By Jordana Bieze Foster
Glycemic variability—fluctuations in HbA1c level from one visit to another—is significantly associated with foot ulcer healing time in patients with diabetes, according to research from the UK.
By Jordana Bieze Foster
Market Mechanics
By Emily Delzell
Products
New from Fillauer, the Formula foot is engineered to provide an ideal balance of flexibility and power that is appropriate for a wide range of users due to a posterior mount design. The long, lightweight carbon pylon provides critical energy return through the…
Vivobarefoot’s Ultra III Bloom is the industry’s first molded shoe made from algae, with an amphibious, eco-friendly design for adventures on both land and sea. The shoe has been created in collaboration with Bloom, a company that…
La Pointique Int’l now offers the new Heel Strap and LP compression socks. The Heel Strap is designed to provide support to the ligaments of the heel and ankle in athletes to improve stability during jumps and shifting movements.
Tread Labs, a source for semicustom, orthotic insoles, announces the launch of Metatarsal Pad Kits, designed to allow providers to add metatarsal support to any existing Tread Labs insole. Like the company’s the interchangeable insole topcovers, the…
OPTP is now the official distributer for the io-ball, an inflatable exercise ball with a unique elliptical shape. The compact, lightweight ball can be positioned horizontally or vertically, allowing the user to increase the difficulty of standard movements or…
The I-Runner PDAC-approved diabetic shoe family continues to grow. I-Runner proudly introduces its first-ever Velcro closure model, the Elite.Designed by pedorthists, the Elite features a single 1″ strap that sits high on the…
Now available from Xelero is the Matrix One pedorthic shoe. Designed for walking and light running, the shoe is offered in men’s grey/black mesh and women’s light grey/light blue mesh. The Matrix One features the same technology as…
The FDA-approved DuoLith SD1 TT from CuraMedix is the next generation of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT), with focused CylindricalSource technology, as a nonsurgical treatment for pain associated with chronic proximal plantar fasciitis.
Therafirm is launching Ease Knee Highs in XL sizes and petite lengths. The Ease line of compression hosiery features construction from ultrastretchy and super soft yarns for comfort and style. Whereas the previous size offerings would accommodate…
Korebalance, an advanced rehabilitation system for neurosensory training and assessment, now features new pre- installed software. Version 3.0 includes more and better games to challenge a variety of balance and mTBI (mild traumatic brain injury) issues…