Clinicians know that handling a lacrosse stick or other types of sport-specific equipment can affect an athlete’s movement patterns in potentially harmful ways. Now researchers are beginning to quantify these types of effects and explore their clinical implications. By Jill R. Dorson

Everyone has days when we just go through the motions—at our jobs, in social situations, at the gym—and tell ourselves it isn’t a big deal. But as clinicians you know that when patients just go through the motions of complying with prescribed treatments, their… By Jordana Bieze Foster, Editor

Clinicians in areas affected by hurricanes Harvey and Irma were prepared for issues involving preexisting lower extremity concerns, but were surprised by the number of cases they saw in the storm’s aftermath involving healthy people trying to function under extraordinary conditions. By Nancy Shohet West

High ankle sprains in collegiate athletes differ from lateral or medial ankle sprains in multiple clinically relevant ways. These include loss of sports participation time, mechanism of injury, rates of injury during competition versus practices, and the possible long-term risk of osteoarthritis. By Timothy C. Mauntel, PhD, ATC; and Zachary Y. Kerr, PhD, MPH

Orthotic devices for hallux limitus are designed to limit first metatarsophalangeal joint motion while providing cushioning and plantar pressure distribution. A lack of quality research on conservative treatment of the disorder, however, forces clinicians to rely on their own experience. By Hank Black

Achilles tendon ruptures are severe injuries that are associated with a long recovery and significantly affect an athlete’s ability to function at a high level. In devising strategies for rehabilitation and return to play, the goal of clinicians and athletes alike is to try to minimize this impact. By J. Turner Vosseller, MD

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have decreased ankle dorsiflexion due to gastrocnemius contracture, even in the absence of foot and ankle pain, according to research from Michigan that may have implications for early intervention to minimize pain and dysfunction in this patient population. By Katie Bell

Patients with end-stage renal disease undergoing dialysis are at high risk for foot ulcerations and amputation, regardless of whether they also have diabetes, according to research from La Trobe University in Melbourne, Australia, that underscores the need for foot screening in this population. By Jordana Bieze Foster

One week of textured insole wear is associated with improved plantar sensation and stride length in patients with Parkinson disease (PD), according to research from São Paulo State University in Brazil. By Jordana Bieze Foster

Lower extremity strength appears to be a key variable in the relationship between mortality and compliance with national resistance exercise guidelines, according to research from the University of Mississippi in University, MS. By Keith Loria

Recovery of triceps surae muscle strength, as indicated by heel-rise test performance, is associated with the ability to return to jogging and other athletic activities after an Achilles tendon repair, according to research from Teikyo University School of Medicine in Tokyo, Japan. By Jordana Bieze Foster

Altered hip mechanics during gait in patients with hip osteo­arthritis (OA) suggest a role for rehabilitation interventions focused on more than hip abductor strengthening alone, accord­- ing to research from the University of Leuven in Belgium. By Jordana Bieze Foster

Ottobock launches WalkOn Reaction Junior ankle foot orthosis (AFO). Based on the WalkOn Reaction Plus, the WalkOn Reaction Junior is designed for children requiring greater support than traditional dorsiflexion-assist AFOs provide.

Academy Award-winning Vicon has announced the availability of a new compact camera, the Vertex. The Vertex camera boasts a small and flexible design, with wide angle fields of view, allowing it to capture significant volumes in very tight spaces.

The new JAFO Free Flow ankle foot orthosis (AFO) sleeve uses a comfortable, 1/8″ thick CoolFlex material to secure a prefabricated AFO. The zip-up sleeve design is intended to eliminate the chafing that can be caused by AFO straps, as well as enhance blood circulation, increase…

The Swede-O Thermal Vent Plantar DR is designed to help relieve pain and discomfort associated with plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinitis, and other conditions. The device features a nonelastic strap that pulls the ankle into slight dorsiflexion and extends the toes gently to stretch the plantar fascia, while…

KidSport Cushioning Insoles are new, affordable full-length insoles from Powerstep that are specifically designed for children. KidSport is a fully cushioned, less aggressive option for children’s footwear, which often lacks sufficient cushioning or support.

SmartCast is a new, all-inclusive system designed by Chris Smith, DPM and Northwest Podiatric Laboratory to simplify and improve the process of prescribing custom orthotic devices. With patients comfortably seated in an exam chair, practitioners follow a simple positioning process using…

Created as an alternative to heavy, difficult-to-secure walking boots, the new Richie AeroSpring Brace Systems have been designed to treat common conditions treated with walking boots. The AeroSpring “system approach” combines the therapeutic effects of a…

Xelero has replaced its original best-selling pedorthic shoe, Hyperion, with the Hyperion II. This outdoor shoe, optimized for excursions in extreme conditions, is available as a women’s low top and a men’s low top and high top.

Coral now offers Coral Daily Vitamin D3, designed to help maintain strong bones and good overall health in the millions of Americans who are deficient in vitamin D, even during the summer months when sun exposure promotes natural vitamin D production.

New from OS1st, the OS1st DS6 Decompression Foot Sleeve simulates therapeutic taping, delivering six zones of compression to improve circulation and help relieve the painful symptoms of moderate to severe plantar fasciitis, heel pain, foot swelling, and other arch and heel conditions.