Category Archives: Archives
March 2012
Microprocessor Raize Foot
The new Raize Ankle/Foot system from Hosmer utilizes dual microprocessors to control a hydraulic ankle coupled to a composite foot platform. The Raize constantly monitors data from multiple sensors in the ankle to maintain stability in changing environments, including the … Continue reading
March 2012
BioSculptor AFO Scanning Table
The new AFO Scanning Table from BioSculptor Corporation allows users to scan the plantar and dorsal surfaces of a patient’s foot while maintaining the lower leg in a neutral position. This scanning table has acrylic lasting boards of three different heights … Continue reading
March 2012
Ultra Zoom Ankle Brace
Breg has released the Ultra Zoom, a full season performance ankle brace that is lightweight and flexible for daily wear yet sturdy enough to reinforce, support, and protect during athletic activities. The Ultra Zoom is designed for prevention of ankle … Continue reading
March 2012
South Dakota passes bill capping patients’ copays for physical therapy
On February 27 South Dakota Gov Dennis Daugaard signed House Bill 1183, legislation promoted by the South Dakota Physical Therapy Association (SDPTA) that reduces out-of-pocket expenses for patients. HB 1183 limits the amount health insurers can charge patients for out-of-pocket … Continue reading
March 2012
Surgeons pioneer first remote-control internal limb lengthening system
Orthopedic surgeons at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore, MD, recently performed the first tibial implantation in North America using a novel externally controllable internal limb lengthening system. Shawn Standard, MD, head of pediatric orthopedics at Sinai’s International Center for Limb Lengthening … Continue reading
March 2012
Book focuses on female athletes
Warren Potash’s recently released book, They’re Not Boys: Safely Training the Adolescent Female Athlete, is designed to help teenaged female athletes and their parents understand that young women who participate in athletics have a higher risk of injury. Potash also … Continue reading
March 2012
PFA has new address, phone numbers
As of March 1, the Pedorthic Footcare Association (PFA) office address is: Pedorthic Footcare Association, 8400 Westpark Drive, second floor, McLean, VA 22102. The PFA’s new phone number is 703/610-9035 or 800/ 673-8447. The new fax number is 703/995-4456. The … Continue reading
March 2012
Corflex finalizes soft goods contract
Manchester, NH-based Corflex, a veteran-owned manufacturer of orthopedic rehabilitation products, has won a supplier diversity agreement with Irving, TX-based Novation for orthopedic soft goods. The three-year deal offers market competitive pricing. Novation established a supplier diversity program committed to supporting … Continue reading
March 2012
DJO Global establishes fellowship award
Vista, CA-based DJO Global, a global provider of medical devices for musculoskeletal health, vascular health, and pain management, established in February the DJO Cross Fellowship Award program in honor of recently retired Chief Executive Officer Les Cross. DJO Global will … Continue reading
March 2012
Amniox launches amniotic membrane technology in lower extremity markets
Marietta, GA-based Amniox Medical has introduced Neox products, cryopreserved human amniotic membrane grafts that maintain their innate biological and healing potential, to lower extremity practitioners. Amniox premiered the grafts at the 2012 Annual Scientific Conference of the American College of … Continue reading
March 2012
Maddak sponsors networking, education program for occupational therapists
Pequannock, NJ-based Maddak launched a program in February designed to create a partnership between occupational therapists and the company, which manufactures products that simplify tasks of daily living, including eating, drinking, dressing, grooming, bathing, and toileting. According to Maddak, the … Continue reading
March 2012
Foundation supporting disabled calls for 2012 grant applications
The nonprofit Dralla Foundation, established last year by Rockaway, NJ-based Allard USA, has set a May 1 deadline for 2012 grant requests. The foundation awarded 13 inaugural grants in 2001, its first year. Awardees further the foundation’s mission of providing … Continue reading
March 2012
PDAC assigns reimbursement codes for Active Innovations ankle braces
Active Innovation, the medical division of Gardner, KN-based company Active Ankle, has secured pricing, data analysis, and coding (PDAC)-approved reimbursement codes for its product line. The approved billing code for the CF Pro is L1971. The CF Pro is a … Continue reading
March 2012
Sydney will host global shoe congress
The Australian Pedorthic Medical Grade Footwear Association will hold the 18th World Congress of Orthopaedic Shoe Technicians and Pedorthists in Sydney, Australia, March 29-31. The program will feature topical keynote speakers, discussion groups, and presentations focusing on the congress theme, … Continue reading
March 2012
NYCPM presents biomechanics seminars
The New York College of Podiatric Medicine is presenting a se- ries of one-day courses for foot health practitioners. Mastering Biomechanics topics include patient biomechanical assessment, prescription writing, practice management pearls, and billing, coding, and compliance review. Presentations will be … Continue reading
March 2012
Loading lessons: Select exercises carefully for ACL rehab
Exercises prescribed for rehabilitation after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction should be designed to protect the healing graft from excessive strain in addition to rebuilding muscle strength and activation, according to evidence-based recommendations from a multicenter team of experts.
By Jordana Bieze Foster
March 2012
Custom brace outperforms others for inversion control during cutting
A custom-molded hinged ankle brace more effectively controls inversion during cutting maneuvers than two other brace designs tested by researchers from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, a finding with potential implications regarding ankle sprain prevention. Eight individuals with a history … Continue reading
March 2012
MIS adventures: Minimal approach rivals standard TKA
Several studies presented in February found few differences in outcomes for minimally invasive total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and traditional TKA.
By Emily Delzell
March 2012
Surgical, nonsurgical Achilles care lead to similar one-year outcomes
In a study of acute Achilles tendon rupture published this month in the Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine, some strength and endurance measures improved earlier in those who underwent surgical versus nonsurgical care, but rerupture rates and patient-reported function were … Continue reading
March 2012
Study finds no restoration of proximal kinematics after hallux valgus surgery
Surgical hallux valgus correction significantly improves foot geometry and hallux kinematics but does not significantly change proximal kinematics, according to research from Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI. In a study published in the February issue of Foot & Ankle International, … Continue reading
March 2012
Ply trap: Prosthetic sock thickness varies
Recent research from the University of Washington in Seattle confirms what many practitioners have already learned from treating patients with lower limb amputations: Sock thickness varies among different sock products of the same ply and is also affected by biomechanical conditions.
By Emily Delzell
March 2012
Dose response for OA brace wear includes hamstring strengthening
Research from Canadian investigators suggests brace wear may positively affect activity level without decreasing muscle strength in patients with medial compartment knee osteoarthritis (OA). Investigators from Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia followed 24 patients (four women) who wore a valgus … Continue reading
March 2012
Study suggests rocker sole shoes help reduce circulatory calf pain
Researchers at the University of Salford in Manchester, UK, reported in March that a pilot study comparing two therapeutic shoe soles in eight individuals with claudication showed a reduction in calf pain with rocker sole wear. The investigators asked study … Continue reading
March 2012
Out on a limb: Game theory
There are plenty of reasons you might be thinking about seeing Moneyball. Maybe you’re wondering how anyone could have turned that book into a movie. Maybe you’re curious about how Angelina’s better half and the kid from Superbad ended up with Oscar nominations. Maybe you just need to forget about the snow on your lawn and try to get in the mood for Opening Day.
Jordana Bieze Foster, Editor