Lower Extremity Review
Podiatrists are among the providers targeted by efforts to revise regulation of referral for Medicare services. The goal? Modernize governance of a changing healthcare industry. The federal Physician Self-Referral Law (known commonly as the “Stark Law” or, simply, “Stark”) and its regulations generally prohibit physician referrals of Medicare patients for certain designated healthcare services when the physician has a…
By Daniel F. Shay, Esq.
The BRD Sport G18 Plus Knee Brace offers extra relief and stability from pain and injuries related to arthritis and physical activities and features an adjustable strap, as compared to the company’s G18 Knee Brace. The G18 Plus Knee Brace is designed to stabilize the kneecap when it is vulnerable and prevent further injury or damage. The brace’s 3D technology offers targeted compression and reduces swelling while relieving pain and inflammation.
OS1st WP4 Wellness Performance Socks are the latest innovation in ING Source’s Socks with Purpose Program. The WP4s are strategically designed for individuals who suffer from diabetes, sensitive feet, edema, neuropathy, and poor circulation. They feature four zones of graduated compression to help boost circulation, reduce friction, and provide overall foot support.
Stevens Institute of Technology (Stevens), Hoboken, NJ, has signed an exclusive licensing agreement with health and technology company Bonbouton, New York, giving Bonbouton the right to use and further develop a graphene sensing system that detects early signs of diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) before they form. Left untreated, DFUs can cause severe tissue and bone damage and may ultimately lead to amputation.
Cartilage in human joints can repair itself through a process like that used by creatures such as salamanders and zebrafish to regenerate limbs, researchers at Duke University Health System (Duke Health), Durham, NC, found. In their article, published online in the journal Science Advances, the researchers identified a mechanism for cartilage repair that appears to be more robust in ankle joints and less so in hips. The finding could potentially lead to treatments for osteoarthritis, they said.
For applications that require a harder and stiffer consistency than its OP-TEK Flex Family of EVA sheet, Curbell O&P, a division of Curbell Plastics, now offers Duraflex. Like OP-TEK Flex, Duraflex is designed to enhance patient comfort when used as a flexible inner liner for rigid prosthetic socket frames. The new material is available in natural (semi-transparent) and black. When incorporated into an orthosis, the material bends with the patient, enhancing comfort at trim lines.
JMS Plastics Supply has added its own brand of cotton stockinettes to its growing inventory of products suitable for use in the lower extremity market. These cotton stockinettes are densely knit tubular bandages that stretch for conformability and are designed for use on skin during splinting and cast fabrication.
The Standards and Guidelines for the Accreditation of Education Programs in Orthotist and Prosthetist Assistant were approved by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) board. CAAHEP accredits programs upon the recommendation of the National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education. Standards are the minimum requirements to which an accredited program is held accountable.
PediFix’s newly designed toe loops stabilize, “buddy,” and reposition toes to relieve pain from corns, hammer toes, and crooked digits. The Comfort ToeWraps are soft, non-stretch, foam-lined loops that separate, straighten, and align deformed toes without taking up space. They are also effective as a splint for broken, stubbed, or injured toes.
Due to the popularity of its other orthosis with half the heel height, Allard is now offering ToeOFF 2½ and BlueROCKER 2½ ankle foot orthoses (AFOs). Features include choice of wraparound or D-ring straps, which are easily applied for right- or left-hand pull; shorter, more gently contoured wings; pre-applied MikroFIX; and a Starter SoftKIT.
Tread Labs is offering 9 new insoles across 3 series: Ramble, Ramble Short, and Ramble Thin; Pace, Pace Short, and Pace Thin; and Dash, Dash Short, and Dash Thin. All the insoles feature precise sizing for an accurate fit and interchangeable 3D-molded top covers. New to the Comfort Series are Ramble Insoles, the company’s softest insole. In the Pain Relief Series, Pace Insoles target plantar fasciitis and other foot pains.
BodyForm3D, a Canadian technology startup founded by Antonin Bérubé, DPM, announced the launch of its first product, Podform, a 3D body scanning software that can be used with any mobile device. Podform is a ready-to-use application that is optimized for the custom-made footwear and healthcare industries.
The High Achilles Ankle Brace was designed to relieve pain in the back of the heel caused by inflammation of the Achilles tendon; it is appropriate for post-Achilles tendon rupture, tendonitis, and strains. According to BRD Sport, the 3D knit technology creates targeted intermittent compression and reduces swelling while relieving pain and enhancing circulation.
Inspired by the rough, dry, cracked feet of professional dancers and dance students, Love, Lori is dedicated to providing healthy foot care that soothes and repairs battered feet. Now available from Love, Lori is Foot Finish Foot Repair Cream. The antifungal cream is formulated with tea tree oil, rose oil, and lavender to fight foot infection and odor while reducing inflammation.
Exclusive to healthcare professionals and specialty retailers, Cadence insoles are a high-quality OTC orthotic that provide a unique combination of semi-rigid support and durable high rebound/low compression set polyurethane foam. No contracts, no minimum-order requirements, no investment in technology. And all Cadence retail partners get a Lifetime Cadence Performance Guarantee.
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