Lower Extremity Review
Recent interest has focused on the use of Nordic hamstring strengthening exercises to prevent hamstring injuries in athletes, but evidence also supports eccentric exercise for managing tendinopathy and for prevention and rehabilitation of anterior cruciate ligament injury.
By Daniel Lorenz, DPT, PT, ATC/L, CSCS
Misalignment between the mechanical joint of an articulated AFO and the corresponding anatomical joint can significantly affect the device’s mechanical properties, particularly resistance and stiffness, which can impair AFO effectiveness and negatively affect proximal joints.
By Fan Gao, PhD, and Susan Kapp, MEd, CPO, LPO, FAAOP
Golfers demonstrate significant asymmetries between hips with regard to rotational range of motion and rotational velocity, which can contribute to the development of conditions including low back pain, femoroacetabular impingement, and hip labral degeneration.
By Heather Gulgin, PhD, ATC
Survey results suggest that at least one-third of individuals at risk for foot pain or diabetic foot ulcers are wearing shoes that are at least one size too big or too small, which can further increase those risks. Proper shoe fit and foot health start with patient education.
By Stephanie Swensen, BSc, and Ran Schwarzkopf, MD, MSc
This study found that closed basket-weave ankle taping significantly affects ankle range of motion and time to peak vertical ground reaction force, which can have implications higher up the kinetic chain that appear to vary from one individual to another.
By Matthew L. Santos-Vitorino, MS, ATC, LAT, Sue Shapiro, EdD, ATC, LAT, Kathy Ludwig, PhD, and Claire Egret, PhD
MD Orthopaedics offers the Ponseti AFO Toe Stilt, Ponseti AFO/PFS, and Ponseti AFO/PFS Toe Stilt, all compatible with the Ponseti abduction bar. The AFO Toe Stilt features a severe permanent wedge to keep the foot in 10° of dorsiflexion during standing. The...
The Platinum Trim Gauntlet, now available from PAL Health Technologies, is a slender, less rigid alternative to the standard Platinum Gauntlet. The custom AFO is designed for management of such conditions as PTTD and chronic ankle instability, and in particular for...
Tensegrity Prosthetics has announced the availability of its K3 Promoter, a prosthetic foot designed to give amputees the flexibility and mobility of a natural limb. Anecdotally, testers of the K3 Promoter report a responsive and lively feeling associated with its...
The AFO Vacuum Box from BioSculptor Corporation is designed for capturing weight-bearing or semi weight-bearing scans for products such as AFOs, foot orthotics, and custom shoes. The vacuum box is used when the most accurate scans are needed, as it allows the user to...
In response to customer demand, Euro International’s product line now includes Masterflex Black, exclusively distributed by the company for applications such as the production of flexible inner sockets. The color and material properties are designed to help increase...
Spenco Medical Corporation has introduced 2nd Skin AqualHeal Hydrogel Bandages, an easy-to-use, durable first aid solution that combines a sterile dressing and cooling technology to speed healing for a variety of wounds. A waterproof polyurethane film adhesive seals...
DynaFlange, new from Langer Biomechanics, is a patent pending rearfoot posting system that dynamically manages pathologic motion during gait. First, DynaFlange addresses the deleterious effects of pronation by storing ground reaction forces, then dynamically returns...
The STS Company of Mill Valley, CA, announces the release of a new and improved line of tubular polyester/Lycra casting socks. The new material provides a detailed, accurate, and precise negative mold of the lower extremity (foot, leg and thigh) suitable for all...
I grew up in Portland, OR. I live in New England. That means I root against all of the Los Angeles Lakers. But I do find Kobe Bryant’s footwear fascinating.
Jordana Bieze Foster, Editor
Some dorsiflexion gains are surprising – A recent study validates the long-held clinical belief that, in appropriately selected children with cerebral palsy (CP), ankle dorsiflexion during swing phase improves after ankle plantar flexor surgery and that postsurgical rehabilitation should include a focus on dorsiflexor function.
By Emily Delzell
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