Preliminary research suggests the use of a kinetic return ankle foot orthosis is associated with small but significant short-term increases in calf circumference, which in turn suggests this type of device might reduce or protect against the risk of disuse muscle atrophy.

By Robert H. Meier, CO, BOCO; David C. Ruthsatz, CO, CPA; and Daniel Cipriani, PT, PhD

There is considerable debate in medical circles as to whether healthcare practitioners should embrace social media, but online aficionados say they welcome the opportunity to exchange information, educate, connect, and potentially attract more patients.

By P.K. Daniel

Increasing body mass index is associated with significantly increased peak plantar pressures regardless of the type of off­loading device used. However, it is possible to decrease plantar pressures in some regions of the foot with the use of offloading devices.

By Andrew J. Meyr, DPM, FACFAS; Kelly Pirozzi, DPM, AACFAS; and Matthew R. Wagoner, DPM

The increasing utilization of total knee arthroplasty has led to increased efforts to identify variables that can be modified to help improve postoperative functional outcomes. These risk factors include patient weight, smoking, diabetes, infection, and joint range of motion.

By John Ryan Quinn, MD, and Ran Schwarzkopf, MD, MSc