Lower Extremity Review
When treating patients who are going through rehabilitation, clinicians may be overemphasizing gait distance and overlooking the importance of gait speed. Clinical assessment of gait speed is simple and inexpensive but can be a significant indicator of functional recovery.
By Heather Braden, PT, MPT, PhD, GCS
Intramuscular manual therapy, also known as dry needling, is hypothesized to relieve pain by modifying tension in connective tissue. Limited evidence supports the use of IMT for plantar fasciitis, although further research is needed to rule out a placebo effect.
By Brent Harper, PT, DPT, DSc, OCS, FAAOMPT
Amerx Health Care has introduced its new and improved Amerigel Wound Wash for painless and effective wound cleansing. The product is a sterile, pH neutral, nonlactated Ringer’s solution containing sodium chloride, calcium chloride, and potassium chloride in purified...
Silipos introduces the Antibacterial Silosheath, which offers the same benefits as the Silosheath Original along with the added benefits of antimicrobial protection and odor control. The interior lining of the Antibacterial Silosheath is coated with a mineral oil gel...
Motion Analysis Corporation announces a new camera to its lineup: the Raptor-12, with a maximum resolution of 12 megapixels (MP). Resolutions include 150 fps with 12MP, 200 fps with 9.4MP, 300 fps with 6.3MP, 500 fps with 3.8MP, and 900 fps with 2MP. The Raptor-12...
The Platinum Sound AFO and the Foot Drop Splint from PAL Health Technologies follow PAL’s new approach to drop foot and equinus treatment. The noncustom Foot Drop Splint (from PAL’s Transition Ankle line) is a lightweight injection-molded polypropylene brace with...
Powerstep introduces the Wide Fit Full Length Orthotic, a new wider profile orthotic specifically designed for use with wide-width footwear. This functional device features a semirigid polypropylene support shell calibrated for arch support with flexibility, a deep...
Thorlo introduces Thorlos Padds—clinically tested padded socks for people with low to moderate foot pain and people with diabetes whose feet are not at immediate risk for ulceration and who want nonactivity-specific foot protection. The padding is designed to reduce...
As a step up from its successful PeroSupport.tec ankle foot orthosis, Euro International presents a newer revamped version: the PeroSupport.Pro from Streifeneder ortho.production. The PeroSupport.Pro prevents lateral twisting as well as lateral slipping. It is...
Apis Footwear offers the new 9205-L women’s Lycra Mary Jane comfort shoes as a part of its Mt. Emey Therapeutic Line. Three pairs of heat mold- able inserts are included with every order. The new Lycra Mary Jane shoes feature seamless linings, a Velcro closure, added...
Longer strides lead to increased work
Ankle foot orthoses (AFOs) are regularly prescribed to children with walking disabilities resulting from cerebral palsy, yet the effects of AFOs on energy recovery and work during gait are still unclear.
By Samantha Rosenblum
Method includes complex rotations
A surrogate biomodel of a child’s lower extremities, in particular the ability to model movement along multiple axes of rotation, could help improve researchers’ biomechanical understanding of bracing for clubfoot.
By Emily Delzell
Issues involve custom foot orthoses
A Scottish study suggests foot care in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) falls short because of poor access to care and negative perceptions about custom foot orthoses. Experts say those issues may be less prevalent in the US but emphasize the need to educate patients, parents, and referring clinicians about the benefits of lower extremity care.
By Larry Hand
Patterns mirror those seen in adults
Timing of reconstruction surgery after pediatric anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries seems to be related to the prevalence of meniscal and chondral injuries discovered during those surgeries, according to new research published in the September issue of The American Journal of Sports Medicine.
By Cary Groner
Standing long jump distance improves
Research has recently begun to clarify footwear’s effects on gait and functional performance in children, but the broader implications of the findings remain a matter of debate.
By Cary Groner
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