Category Archives: Archives
October 2011
Out on a limb: Arming at-risk kids
Nothing scares parents more than knowing their child is in danger and being powerless to do anything about it. For parents whose children play sports associated with injury risks, every practice and every game might as well be Halloween.
Jordana Bieze Foster, Editor
October 2011
Vascular Viewpoint: Improving superficial thrombophlebitis care
Superficial thrombophlebitis (STP) is a common and controversial condition largely overshadowed by its big brother, deep vein thrombosis (DVT).1 Frequent reports of concomitant STP and DVT, with or without pulmonary embolus, align the two pathophysiologies closely.
By Marlin W. Schul, MD, MBA, RVT
October 2011
FUTURE SHOCK: Youth sports and osteoarthritis risk
There’s no question that exercise is good for kids. But the trauma associated with some youth sports can dramatically increase the risk that those kids will develop knee or ankle osteoarthritis by the time they reach adulthood. The key next step is to determine what can be done about it.
By Yvonne M. Golightly, PT, PhD, Stephen W. Marshall, PhD, and Dennis J. Caine, PhD
October 2011
Rotational mechanics: Bracing’s next frontier
This two-part series explores the role of rotational forces in athletic injuries and the extent to which bracing can help control those forces and, in turn, prevent those injuries. This first installment examines ankle sprains, PTTD, patellofemoral pain, and osteoarthritis.
By Cary Groner
October 2011
Orthotic management of the pes cavus foot
Published studies on pes cavus are in short supply, making evidence-based orthotic management a challenge. This author proposes a theory of pes cavus etiology based on muscle imbalances and reactions, which may support the concept of early orthotic intervention.
By Paul R. Scherer, DPM
October 2011
Conference coverage: 2nd PFP research retreat
Two years after their inaugural event, experts on patellofemoral pain syndrome congregated in Belgium to once again dissect and analyze the latest research on the mechanisms underlying PFP and the effectiveness of such interventions as bracing, foot orthoses, and exercise.
By Cary Groner
October 2011
Better nutrition boosts diabetic foot outcomes
The evidence documenting the role of nutrition in improving wound healing and neuropathy symptoms hasn’t been widely publicized, particularly among lower extremity healthcare practitioners. But getting that information to your diabetic patients could help save their feet.
By Larry Hand
October 2011
Dynamic duo
Brace-wedge combo maximizes results – Wedged foot orthoses and knee braces have both been shown to relieve knee osteoarthritis symptoms, but research from the University of Western Ontario suggests that the two modalities may be most effective when used in combination.
By Jordana Bieze Foster
October 2011
Bracing does not weaken quadriceps in patients with patellofemoral OA
Practitioner concerns that knee bracing leads to muscle atrophy in patients with patellofemoral osteoarthritis (OA) appear to be unfounded, and the opposite may be true, according to research from the University of Manchester in the U.K. In 59 individuals with … Continue reading
October 2011
Some individuals report less OA pain while wearing high heels than flats
Knee osteoarthritis patients may not want to throw out their high-heeled shoes just yet. Research from Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit suggests that elevated heels are actually associated with pain relief in some patients with knee OA. The findings are … Continue reading
October 2011
AFO strap mapping
Study locates optimal position, angle – When researchers from the Georgia Institute of Technology were trying to determine the ideal position for a dorsal strap to prevent pistoning within an ankle foot orthosis, they approached the problem from multiple angles—literally. What they found was that the optimal angle for a dorsal strap position isn’t close to the angle most often used in practice.
By Jordana Bieze Foster
October 2011
Prefabricated foot orthoses improve some balance measures but not all
A study from Northern Illinois University (NIU) mirrors the conflicting evidence regarding foot orthoses and balance, finding that prefabricated orthoses significantly improved some but not all postural control measures in healthy volunteers. Hamid Bateni, PhD, an assistant professor of physical … Continue reading
October 2011
Increases in gait speed with brace use vary in Charcot-Marie-Tooth patients
Patients with Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease respond to the same custom ankle foot orthosis (AFO) in very different ways, according to research from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas presented in September at the annual AOPA meeting. Investigators assessed eight CMT … Continue reading
October 2011
Tackling ankle sprains
Braces reduce risk in football players – Research e-published last month by investigators at the University of Wisconsin-Madison suggests prophylactic lace-up braces are a cost-effective method of reducing the incidence of ankle sprains in high school football players without increasing the risk of knee and other lower extremity injuries.
By Emily Delzell
October 2011
Forward twisting falls cause most ACL injuries in carving skiers, data suggest
The forward twisting fall is the dominant mechanism of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury among male and female carving skiers, according to Austrian investigators writing in October’s International Journal of Sports Medicine. Investigators from University Innsbruck retrospectively collected demographic data … Continue reading
October 2011
Study finds cam-type hip deformity affects high intensity youth athletes
The risk of having an underlying hip deformity, known as cam impingement, is substantially higher among children and adolescents who engage in high intensity sports than in their nonathlete peers, and may increase their risk of future hip osteoarthritis, according … Continue reading
October 2011
Sanford Health and ACSM establish institute to protect young athletes
Sanford Health and the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) have partnered to create the research-based National Youth Sports and Health Safety Institute. More youths are participating in sports then ever before, and the incidence of injuries is rising despite … Continue reading
October 2011
Pedorthist announces FootCentric, CME company with philanthropic mission
Chapel Hill, NC-based pedorthist and physical therapist Patricia Pande, PT, MCLSc, CPed, CSCS, has launched FootCentric (www.footcentriconline.com), a continuing education company created by a team of experienced physical therapy and fitness experts dedicated to teaching comprehensive foot treatment to physical … Continue reading
October 2011
ComfortFit offers Richie Brace webinars
Roselle, NJ-based ComfortFit Orthotics Lab is offering no-cost webinars featuring Richie brace inventor Douglas Richie, DPM. The webinars are appropriate for practitioners currently prescribing Richie Braces and those interested in prescribing the devices. Webinar schedule: “Clinical Indications,” a presentation on … Continue reading
October 2011
Diabetes event targets Native Americans
Native Nation Events, a provider of educational conferences and forums to the Native American community, will hold the Native American Diabetes Pandemic Conference: Prevention, Awareness & Programs November 16-17 in Cabazon, CA. On some reservations, more than 50% of the … Continue reading
October 2011
Fall PediFix catalog has 24 new items
Brewster, NY-PediFix has released its fall 2011 catalog, featuring two dozen new items. The catalog includes new dermatology products, postoperative FootSplints, GelSmart conservative padding options, and other products. It also includes new over-the-counter products. For a free copy of the … Continue reading
October 2011
DJO Global’s pain management knee
Last month Vista, CA-based DJO Global, a provider of medical devices for musculoskeletal, vascular, and pain management issues, introduced the Empi Active Knee to treat knee pain. The device uses transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), comfortable electrical stimulation, to stop … Continue reading
September 2011
New Options Groin/Hamstring Stabilizer
New Options Sports introduces the JPL Groin/Hamstring Stabilizer. The stabilizer’s hip spica design increases hip stability while minimizing migration issues. The brace includes two individual 6-inch linear elastic straps sewn in at appropriate angles to support the groin musculature and … Continue reading
September 2011
Comfort Products AFO Liner Socks
Comfort Products’ AFO Liner Sock is pulled up over the calf and accommodates individuals from foot to knee, allowing patients to roll the sock over the top of an ankle foot orthosis, which helps the sock stay up. The AFO … Continue reading
September 2011
Waterproof CastShield
CastCoverZ has launched the CastShield, a waterproof solution for showering and bathing for patients needing to protect casts, prosthetics, and bandages. Designed as an easy-on, easy-off alternative to plastic trash bags and sponge baths, the CastShield is engineered to prevent … Continue reading
