Lower Extremity Review
High Point University in NC is creating an advanced biomechanics and human physiology/ performance lab. The 13,150 square-foot lab is under construction and will facilitate study of injury prevention and rehabilitation methods as well as methods to improve human...
University of Minnesota organizers of the Design of Medical Devices Conference, scheduled for April 9-11, 2013, in Minneapolis, are seeking original two-page papers that demonstrate new technologies and applications in medical device design from academic and industry...
In the interest of improving compliance, studies of gait modifications to reduce moments and forces at the knee in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) are increasingly focusing on gait alterations that will not make patients self-conscious.
Real-time biofeedback training can help female athletes reduce knee abduction moments (KAM) during landing, which may in turn reduce risk of anterior cruciate ligament injury, according to preliminary research from Cincinnati Children’s Hospital.
Gait training on a dual-belt treadmill in an adaptive virtual environment can help improve propulsive impulse in the paretic limbs of individuals with hemiparesis following stroke, according to research from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Barefoot-simulating and minimalist shoes are capturing the imagination of runners who hope to avoid injury and increase performance by adopting a forefoot or midfoot strike pattern, but recent research suggests runners don’t necessarily convert their gait simply by switching shoes.
Lower extremity work during a golf swing is positively correlated with both club head velocity and golfer skill level, according to research from the Ohio State University in Columbus, OH.
Kinematic and kinetic differences between dominant and nondominant limbs during cutting in soccer players could help explain previous findings regarding limb dominance and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury risk, according to research from Ball State University in Muncie, IN.
The Triad’s new definition specifies low energy availability, menstrual irregularity, and low bone mineral density as predictors of future health risks, including lower extremity injuries. This broader definition means far more female athletes may be at risk than previously thought, particularly in the high school setting.
By Jill Thein-Nissenbaum, PT, DSc, SCS, ATC
When I first entered my podiatrist’s office for treatment of a moderately painful case of plantar fasciitis, I never thought that healthcare for my feet could get complicated. I subsequently developed sesamoiditis and my podiatrist prescribed custom orthotics for both my foot conditions. But then came the clincher: one night, I fell down a short flight of stairs and unfortunately landed on my foot.
By Barbara Boughton
Reducing the shaft height of a removable cast walker, which results in a lighter device and may also help improve postural stability, can help improve compliance in patients at risk for diabetic foot ulcers without compromising the device’s offloading capability.
By Sai Vikas Yalla, PhD, and Ryan T. Crews, MS, CCRP
Research suggests that when transitioning to a minimalist running shoe, foot strike pattern is key to preventing lower extremity injuries. A transitional minimalist shoe, with slightly thicker and softer soles, may help prevent certain injuries in some runners.
By Everett B. Lohman III, DSc, PT, OCS
Even if an intervention results in a positive clinical outcome in patients with knee osteoarthritis, another important factor to consider is whether that treatment’s benefits justify its costs. Increasingly, cost effectiveness studies are comparing OA interventions to determine value.
By Daniel Pinto, PT, PhD
Ankle joint laxity can be a complicating factor in patients with acute ankle sprains or chronic instability, and testing for excessive laxity can help practitioners choose an appropriate method of treatment. However, not all tests for ankle joint laxity are created equal.
By Theodore Croy, PhD, PT, OCS, and Jay Hertel, PhD, ATC, FNATA
Images from the London Olympics were everywhere in late July and early August—on our televisions, our radios, our computer screens, and our smart phones. Flags were flown, national anthems played, and countries ranked by medal count. In so many ways, the Olympics are about the achievements of individual nations. But a closer look reveals a more complex picture.
Jordana Bieze Foster, Editor
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