Lower Extremity Review
Amputees fight another day: Better care increases return-to-duty rates
U.S. military personnel serving in Iraq and Afghanistan are no less likely to suffer an injury requiring amputation than their counterparts who served in previous conflicts, but such an injury is far less likely to keep today’s soldiers from returning to duty.
Plus:
• Balance, more than foot positioning, may affect amputee stair ambulation
• Time to stabilization fails to detect effect of ankle brace on stability
CP: Means sap strength data:Subgroup analysis may be key to gait link
Gait researchers’ frustrations in demonstrating benefits of strength training in children with cerebral palsy can be traced to the heterogeneity of the study population, according to a National Institutes of Health study that offers some insight as to which patients are most likely respond.
Plus:
• Treadmill outperforms outdoor walking for stroke rehabilitation
• Ankle weakness, not instability, explains reduced speed after TBI
Walk this way: Heels first: Rearfoot strike pattern uses less energy
Forefoot strike patterns, particularly those of the barefoot variety, have generated a lot of buzz in running circles lately. But a University of Utah study suggests that rearfoot strike patterns have advantages as well.
Plus:
• Shoe-surface combination with lowest risk of ACL injury pairs cleats with grass
• Gender affects response to eccentric training for Achilles tendinopathy
• Lower-extremity companies dig deep to help earthquake victims in Haiti
• JMS honors injured soldiers’ spirit
• Delcam debuts orthotic website
• Otto Bock backs Paralympic exhibit
KeepingPace introduces a rugged water resistant insulated hiking style winter boot for children to accommodate orthotics. These boots keep feet dry and block winter chill with 200 gram insulation. Feet and orthotics stay comfortable, with EVA midsole providing light...
Xelero Shoes announces the national launch of a new line of shoes for men and women with a patented, Swiss internal rocker system. Xelero’s new “Rock Steady” construction features a rocker system built into the midsole of the shoe, as opposed to the outsole. Xelero...
The SmartRoller from OPTP is a uniquely designed, resilient ‘two-in-one’ foam roller. This patented foam roller has one side that is flatter and one side that is rounder. The rounder side of the SmartRoller increases roller movement, while the flatter side decreases...
Redi-Thotics introduces Heat Moldable orthotic devices. These orthotics cradle the medial and transverse arches of the foot while having a high enough arch to protect and support the navicular bone. Designed with 80 shore A durometer EVA, the orthotics can be heat...
AutoStep was developed by two pediatric physical therapists to assist with gait in a variety of patients, from the high functioning patient who needs to work on gait refinement to the very low functioning patient who is unable to take independent steps. It attaches to...
In the Groove announces the launch of its flagship product, the In the Groove knee brace, which was just granted a patent for its unique action of femoral-tibial alignment so that the patella can track in the femoral groove. It relieves pain, improves mobility, and is...
The Evenup device compensates for leg length discrepancy that can result when patients are treated with a fracture walker or wound healing shoe. Diabetic wound healing boots and shoes are extremely thick-soled in most cases and can cause gait disturbance resulting in...
ComfortFit Orthotic Labs premieres the new Sandalistas styles available from Aetrex, with six fashion forward designs including two new styles, luxurious materials such as Nubuck and leather in seasonal colors and stylish accents and detailing. The Sandalistas...
Athletes know about the importance of keeping your head in the game. Just ask Lindsey Jacobellis. Or Chris Webber. But a growing body of research suggests that poor decision making isn’t the only way the brain can sabotage an athlete’s performance. Jordana Bieze Foster, editor
Positive physician-patient relationships are critical to the healing process and have been shown to directly impact clinical results. By Jason Kraus
A recent paper recommends waiting before prescribing orthotics for children with asymptomatic flexible flatfoot. But some insist such children could have underlying structural abnormalities and should be treated. Without data, it’s hard to know who’s right. By Cary Groner
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