Lower Extremity Review
Exercise preserves neuromuscular function in aging through unknown mechanisms. Skeletal muscle fibroblasts (FIB) and stem cells (MuSC) are abundant in skeletal muscle and reside close to neuromuscular junctions, but their relative roles in motor neuron maintenance remain undescribed. Using direct cocultures of embryonic rat motor neurons with either human…
Diabetic chronic foot ulcers pose a significant therapeutic challenge around the world, resulting in adverse effects and complications in patients. D-mannose is enriched in citrus peel and exerts beneficial effects among various diseases, especially against inflammation-related disorders. These authors examined the potential effect of D-mannose during the wound healing process in…
A recent study in the Journal of Wound Care reported on the impact of dual-enrolee (Medicare/Medicaid) status on venous leg ulcer (VLU) outcomes in more than 555,000 Medicare beneficiaries. The study found that patients with dual-enrollee status have incomes ranging from slightly above, at, or below the poverty level; greater numbers of comorbidities; and are more…
A recent study from Brazil evaluated the use of custom-made insoles adapted to flip-flops on pain intensity, foot function, and functional walking ability in individuals with persistent plantar heel pain. This randomized controlled trial assessed 80 participants at baseline, 6 and 12 weeks, and then 4 weeks post-intervention. At all 3 check points, no between group difference was…
Significant hindfoot deformity and morbidity can result from talar neck non-unions but are not often reported in the literature. Surgical management is evolving, with recent publications on the results of open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) with bone grafting (BG), ankle fusion and modified Blair fusion. These authors report the clinical and radiological outcomes of a cohort of talar neck non-unions managed by ankle joint preserving reconstruction.
Hey sports parents, coaches, and their special kids, what do I mean by the prodigy sports? Very briefly, prodigy sports tend to be those athletic endeavors that are played mostly solo, such as tennis, ballet, figure skating, dance, or gymnastics plus soccer; some folks throw baseball pitching in there because of its unique skillset. Age-wise, I’m talking about adolescents and youngers who are specializing in just one sport.
By Robert Weil, DPM
Eleven male middle-distance runners were tested on an instrumented treadmill to characterize the contributions of functional muscle groups to running at six wide-ranging speeds (10-30 km/h). These results reinforce the importance of the plantar flexors for running at ≤18 km/h, as they made the largest contribution of any muscle group, not just during stance, but also…
BionicM, Tokyo, Japan, announced that its powered prosthetic knee, Bio Leg®, was named a 2025 Best of Innovation in Accessibility & AgeTech by the CES Innovation Awards® 2025 program. The prosthesis offers a new walking experience through its power-assist feature, which sets it apart from traditional prosthetic devices. In May 2024, it received U. medical insurance coverage approval.
Northwestern University scientists have developed a new bioactive material that successfully regenerated high-quality cartilage in the knee joints of a large-animal model. Although it looks like a rubbery goo, the material is actually a complex network of molecular components, which work together to mimic cartilage’s natural environment in the body.
A research team from various universities and health institutes in China have announced a new innovation as a potential panacea for unstable intertrochanteric femur fractures in the elderly: the Proximal Femur Bionic Nail (PFBN). With the aging population, intertrochanteric femur fractures have become a critical public health concern, prompting a surge in research focused on trauma orthopedics.
Researchers have developed a new shoe insole technology that helps reduce the risk of diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs), a dangerous open sore that can lead to hospitalization and leg, foot, or toe amputations. “The goal of this innovative insole technology is to mitigate the risk of diabetic foot ulcers by addressing 1 of their most significant causes: skin and soft tissue breakdown due to repetitive stress on..
Researchers at North Carolina State University (NC State) and Columbia University have developed an inexpensive bandage that uses an electric field to promote healing in chronic wounds. In animal testing, wounds that were treated with these electric bandages healed 30% faster than wounds treated with conventional bandages.
A multidisciplinary team of California Institute of Technology (Caltech) researchers has figured out a method to noninvasively and continually measure blood pressure anywhere on the body with next to no disruption to the patient. A device based on the new technique holds the promise to enable better vital-sign monitoring at home, in hospitals, and possibly even in remote locations where resources are limited.
Inotec AMD, Cambridge, UK, whose product NATROX® O2 is a topical oxygen therapy (cTOT) for advanced wound care, recently announced the successful close of a $33 million Series C financing round. The funding, led by existing investors, Amadeus Capital Partners, Meltwind, Puhua Capital, and the Wealth Club, marks a major milestone in the company’s mission to heal every chronic wound and improve patients’ lives on a global scale.
In honor of Mentholatum’s 135th anniversary, the company announced the launch of its Heel Revival Cream. Developed in the FootHealth™ Innovation Lab, the cream features a groundbreaking patented formula that penetrates deep into the skin to target and eliminate fungal infections at their source. With daily use, this unique technology not only resolves current issues but also…
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