11 Readers offer their thoughts on the greatest innovations of the last 15 years.
The dictionary defines innovation as the introduction or use of new ideas or ways of doing things. But it’s really much more than that:
- In What Customers Want, innovation expert Anthony Ulwick wrote, “Innovation is not the result of thinking differently. It is the result of thinking deliberately (in specific ways) about existing problems and unmet needs.”
- Others have added that innovation is a corporate mindset of continuous quality improvement that encourages improving processes or revising products in response to customer needs.
As part of LER’s 15th anniversary celebration, we asked readers to weigh in on the many facets of innovation that have helped improve patient outcomes in lower extremity care. Here, we share some of their thoughts.
- Smartphone Clinical Practice in Gait Analysis
Continue ReadingSmartphones have revolutionized clinical practice through enhancement of communication with colleagues and patients, information access, and workflow efficiency for healthcare providers. With the continuous evolution of technology, smartphones have increasingly been used for assessing gait—providing a convenient and accessible way to monitor mobility, balance, and walking patterns.
By Sarah A. Curran, PhD
- 3-D Printing Allows For Anatomically Precise Products
Continue ReadingIn the past 15 years, lower extremity healthcare has seen numerous innovative products that have improved patient outcomes. Determining which product has had the greatest impact is debatable, but 3-dimensional (3D) printed technologies stand out. These include non-customized implants, custom implants, patient-specific instruments and cut guides, and anatomic biomodels.
By Patrick DeHeer, DPM
- MPFF Introduced into U.S. for Venous & Lymphatic Disease
Continue ReadingAs a board-certified cardiovascular surgeon specializing in venous and lymphatic disease, I firmly believe that the introduction of micronized purified flavonoid fraction (MPFF) into the U.S. market represents perhaps the most important innovation in daily practice we’ve seen in the last 10 years.
By John Chubak, MD, FACS
- Continuous Topical Oxygen Therapy for Wound Care
Continue ReadingThe utility of supplemental oxygen to support wound healing has been well-documented in the literature. Following injury, poor blood circulation, edema, injured microcirculation, and contraction of vessels in traumatized tissue limit oxygen distribution to a wound, thereby reducing the wound’s capacity to heal.
By Windy Cole, DPM, CWSP
- Smartphone Scanning for Orthotics
Continue ReadingPrescription orthotics have always been a crucial part of my sports podiatry practice. Athletes of all sports, levels, and ages expect comfort and positive results with their foot, ankle, knee, and postural problems from using their orthotics. Let’s also include enhanced performance among those benefits.
By Robert Weil, DPM
- Advancements in Surgical Solutions and Patient Rehabilitation
Continue ReadingOver the last 15 years, the foot and ankle landscape has witnessed a seismic shift marked by ingenious solutions that have transformed surgical techniques, introduced a new breed of innovative products, and reshaped patient recovery. Close collaboration with surgeon partners has been key in the development of multiple innovations.
By Gary Justak
- PCR Testing for Podiatric Nail & Skin Disorders
Continue ReadingPCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) testing is a transformative innovation in diagnosing nail and skin disorders within podiatry. Introduced for podiatric medicine about 15 years ago, PCR enables the rapid amplification of specific DNA sequences, making it a powerful tool for identifying fungal and bacterial infectious agents that cause various dermatological conditions.
By William P. Scherer, DPM, MS
- Reducing Falls with Remote Motion Analysis
Continue ReadingSince we announced our partnership with OneStep in April 2023, FOX Rehabilitation has seen strong results for our residents, with their smartphones turned into clinical-grade motion analysis labs. OneStep’s innovative remote care platform has empowered our clinicians to extend patient care beyond in-person visits using remote therapeutic monitoring (RTM), improving clinical outcomes, increasing patient engagement, lowering healthcare costs, and continuing to grow FOX’s reputation as a healthcare innovator.
By William Dieter, PT, DPT, GCS, FSOAE
- Accessibility of Technology for Real World Care
Continue ReadingThe last 15 years have represented an exciting period of innovation in the field of sports medicine and sport science. We have witnessed the increased accessibility of advanced technologies that were previously available only in high-grade research-lab environments and top-level clinics and centers.
By Antonio Robustelli, MSc, SCS
- Technology Advances in Environment of Continuous Quality Improvement
Continue ReadingTechnology stems from the inherent human desire to improve on what we already know. As our pool of knowledge grows, new bases are formed that set the stage for the next innovation. The desire to find better, cheaper, faster solutions transcends every field. People sometimes notice the big changes and reflect on how crude it was before, not always realizing how many steps it took to make that change happen.
By Wade Bader, CPO
- When Sneakers and Science Collide: Game-Changing Tech at the 2024 Olympics
Continue ReadingThe 2024 Paris Olympics were nothing short of thrilling. Snoop Dogg and Martha Stewart hilariously guided us through the City of Lights with their unique blend of humor and charm. Athletes swam in the Seine, volleyball matches unfolded under the shadow of the Eiffel Tower, and breakdancing made its Olympic debut.
By Sarah Clark, MS, ATC
