Category Archives: Archives
March 2012
Finding a formula for the optimal AFO
Quantitative research from The Netherlands suggests that for every ankle foot orthosis, there is an optimal stiffness associated with the lowest energy cost of walking for a given set of gait-related impairments. Achieving this optimal device stiffness in practice, however, may require clinicians to rethink conventional approaches to AFO prescription.
By Daan J.J. Bregman, PhD Continue reading
March 2012
ACTIVE STANCE: Barefoot balance training for runners
Barefoot training and balance training have each been effective in studies of runners, but combining the methods could lead to even better results.
By Emily Splichal, DPM, MS, CPT
March 2012
The role of proprioception in knee OA management
Demonstrated associations between impaired proprioception and knee osteoarthritis suggest some interventions that help relieve painful symptoms in patients with knee osteoarthritis , such as exercise and bracing, do so by positively affecting joint position sense.
By Barbara Boughton
March 2012
Lower extremity focus helps cut risk of falls
Falls are common, disabling and costly. Causes are multifactorial but include foot disorders, ill-fitting footwear, and poor balance. Recent research supports a multidisciplinary approach to falls prevention and indicates that lower extremity practitioners can play an important role.
By Hylton B. Menz, PhD, and Martin J. Spink, BPod(Hons) Continue reading
March 2012
Taking a team approach to diabetic limb salvage
Hospitals with multidisciplinary diabetic foot care programs have found that adding vascular surgeons to the team makes their amputation prevention efforts more effective, but also adds an extra layer of challenges in terms of coordination and communication.
By Cary Groner
March 2012
Connecting instability and ankle osteoarthritis
Not all patients with chronic ankle instability develop ankle osteoarthritis, but evidence suggests the two conditions are related, which in turn suggests that ankle sprain prevention and management could help reduce ankle replacement rates.
By Larry Hand
March 2012
Compartment syndrome following tibia fracture
Acute compartment syndrome can develop after open or closed tibial fractures, even those that appear to be benign. Early diagnosis of increased compartmental pressure and timely surgical intervention can prevent adverse outcomes including nerve injury and muscle necrosis.
By Langdon A. Hartsock, MD, and William R. Barfield, PhD Continue reading
February 2012
Wave Comfort Foot System
Fillauer offers the Emotis designed Wave Comfort Foot System for the low- to moderate-activity amputee. Tri-spring design elements provide seamless transition and stable progression from heel strike to toe off. Coupled springs react in a compliant manner that promotes a … Continue reading
February 2012
Foot and Ankle Strengthening
PhysioTools announces the new Foot and Ankle Strengthening module for creating personalized exercise and information handouts for patients. This module contains 1426 color photographs and 19 pdf-format posters and covers five levels of progressions from nonweightbearing to advanced foot and … Continue reading
February 2012
Knee Implant Simulation
Virtual Soft Tissue (VST), a highly detailed and programmable computer model from AMTI, accounts for the missing biological structure of the knee during simulation testing of joint implants. The simulator is designed to test the function and durability of implants … Continue reading
February 2012
Antibacterial Silipos Products
Silipos introduces a new line of antibacterial foot care products for a range of indications from foot discomfort to management of traumatic injuries. The antibacterial products have been shown to kill up to 99.9% of bacteria and fungus in independent … Continue reading
February 2012
Slickerz Cast Protectors
Slickerz, the latest product from CastCoverz, offers stylish weather protection for exposed toes, leg casts, and bandages. Slickerz utilizes a made-in-the-USA waterproof fabric to keeps toes, leg casts and bandages from getting wet and dirty due following exposure to rain, … Continue reading
February 2012
EZ Caster System
Smithers Bio-Medical Systems introduces the EZ Caster, an orthotic casting system that facilitates making accurate castings in minimal time. Paired with Bio-Foam Impression Foam, practitioners can increase their number of casting sessions from three per hour to as many as … Continue reading
February 2012
Sure Stick Adhesive
The Ortho Remedy offers Sure Stick, a clear contact adhesive that will permanently bond almost anything to anything. Sure Stick adhesive is appropriate for bonding materials including foams, thermosets, thermoplastics, crepe, vinyl, rubber, cork, Velcro, soling, leather, wovens, non-wovens, urethane, … Continue reading
February 2012
Performance Sleeve
Sigvaris is proud to announce the U.S. release of the Sigvaris Performance Sleeve, which allows athletes to customize their compression and increase circulation during vigorous workouts. The Sigvaris Performance Sleeve provides ankle to calf compression that athletes can wear with … Continue reading
February 2012
Xeleton Knee Brace
The new Xeleton off-the-shelf knee brace from Otto Bock HealthCare facilitates customizable function for sports injuries, pre- or post-surgical stabilization, or therapy for chronic knee joint instabilities. The Xeleton knee brace provides prophylaxis for anterior cruciate ligament injury or rehabilitation … Continue reading
February 2012
Medi-Dyne ProStretch Plus
Medi-Dyne Healthcare Products announces the new ProStretch Plus, an advancement in lower extremity stretching that engages the entire interconnective chain of the lower leg beginning with the hamstring, calves, Achilles tendon, plantar fascia and toes. The strong, lightweight device automatically … Continue reading
February 2012
Walking Boot Accessories
CastMedic Designs offers more than 60 fashion accessory products to accessorize medical walking boots, including faux-fur wraps, decorative socks, flowers, and themed buttons for children. Wrap-Its are faux-fur cuffs to wrap around the top of the boot. Strap-Its are decorative … Continue reading
February 2012
Lightweight Boot
Orthofeet introduces its Lightweight Boot, which integrates style and biomechanical performance. The boot features include a combination of elastic lace and strap closure for easy donning and doffing and convenient fastening. Its double depth design accommodates thick orthotic devices and … Continue reading
February 2012
Enhancing balance
Foot orthoses may help prevent falls – Recent research suggests older patients at risk for falls from poor balance may benefit from custom foot orthoses. Reported improvements indicate clinicians could potentially help prevent falls by testing patients’ balance and considering interventions to improve it.
By Emily Delzell and Jordana Bieze Foster
February 2012
CDC reports dramatic 12-year drop in diabetic lower limb amputation
Lower limb amputations due to complications of diabetes declined 67% from 1996 to 2008 in US adults aged 40 years and older, according to a February report in Diabetes Care by epidemiologists from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention … Continue reading
February 2012
PRP outperforms corticosteroids for relief of plantar fasciitis pain
A single platelet rich plasma (PRP) injection is more effective than a single corticosteroid injection for improving pain and function in patients with chronic plantar fasciitis who haven’t responded to other conservative treatments, according to research from Nantucket, MA. In … Continue reading
February 2012
Heading off ACL injury
Risks remain high after reconstruction – Female soccer players recovering from anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction may benefit from neuromuscular training to prevent future injury, according to research from St. Louis presented this month at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS).
By Jordana Bieze Foster
February 2012
Time on sideline after syndesmosis sprain varies in professional football
The 14 days that New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski missed with a much-publicized syndesmosis sprain prior to the Super Bowl were slightly fewer than one National Football League (NFL) team’s average for such injuries, according to research presented … Continue reading
February 2012
Brain changes on fMRI with patellar taping suggest proprioceptive effect
Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) findings from the University of Manchester in the UK appear to confirm that patellar taping has a proprioceptive effect. Researchers assessed the blood oxygenation level–dependent (BOLD) response during fMRI in eight healthy male volunteers performing … Continue reading
