Ask any woman who’s been through it, and they’ll easily confirm: Pregnancy is a life-changing event with numerous hormonal, physiological, morphological, functional, and biomechanical adaptations. Here we summarize and excerpt a round-up of recent research findings that show the impact of pregnancy on tendons in the lower extremity, on foot loading and plantar pressures in gait, and on morphological and postural changes in the foot, as well as the benefits of compression stockings during this unique period.
Lower Extremity Review
EXOSKELETONS WITH PERSONALIZE-YOUR-OWN SETTINGS
Exoskeletons need to interact seamlessly with their user, providing the right level of assistance at the right time to cooperate with muscles as the user moves. To help achieve this, University of Michigan researchers gave users direct control to customize the behavior of an ankle exoskeleton.
Defining Defying Gravity
If you have ever heard the song “Gravity” by John Mayer, you would be familiar with his lyrics, “Gravity is working against me, and gravity wants to bring me down.” So, what is this incredibly strong force called gravity that John Mayer is talking about? And how does it apply to every living organism on Earth?
By Philip Stotter, CEP
FOOTCORE MAX
The FootCore MAX is an intrinsic muscle activation system for the foot, which allows the user to strengthen and rebuild the muscles that give the foot its shape and structure, including the arch. In just a few minutes a day, the patented technology, based on over 100 published studies, energizes the foot’s natural…
The Future of Bike Fit (Part 2) – Interview of the Bike Fit Machine Manufacturers and Bike Fit Education Content Creators
In the September 2021 issue of Lower Extremity Review, Happy Freedman wrote an article titled “The Future of Bike Fit,” in which several bike fitters were asked their opinions about the future of bike fitting. But what about the opinions of the bike fitting machine manufacturers and the bike fitting educational course creators?
By Rick Schultz, DBA
WORLD’S LARGEST COLLECTION OF GAIT ANALYSIS DATA OF HEALTHY INDIVIDUALS PUBLISHED
Biomechanical gait analysis can be a helpful tool when it comes to diagnosing gait problems and subsequently treating them. However, “until now there has been a worldwide lack of reference data for healthy persons,” said Fabian Horst, PhD, of Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU), Germany.
DORSIFLEX
DorsiFLEX is a patented device that places the foot in 3D variable and adjustable positions to deliver a deeper, targeted, and amplified stretch of the lower leg and foot muscles. It was developed for individuals who have plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, turf toe, chronic calf tightness/strain, and other lower leg and foot injuries.
FALLS AFTER TOTAL HIP ARTHROPLASTY: STRENGTH MATTERS
Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is the common treatment for end-stage hip osteoarthritis (OA), improving health-related physical function, pain, and quality of life. Still, physical function may not reach the level of healthy controls, and patients report post-operative pain even years after THA.
2 STUDIES EXAMINE EFFECTS OF 3D-PRINTED FOOT ORTHOSES
Foot orthoses (FOs) have been prescribed for an array of lower limb issues as their geometrical design and material properties have been shown to influence their impact on foot biomechanics. 3D-printing offers the potential to customize the shape of FOs, as well as add new functionalities with…
Join
Subscribe For Updates
Stay in the loop with the latest news and updates! Subscribe now to receive exclusive content, special offers, and important announcements straight to your inbox. Don’t miss out – join our community today for all the latest updates delivered directly to you.