Category Archives: Archives
August 2011
OPTP Foam Roller Techniques
Orthopedic Physical Therapy Products has released the updated second edition of Foam Roller Techniques. The edition offers full-color images, new anatomical diagrams, 47 pages of descriptive instructions, and clear photo demonstrations of self-massage techniques for each muscle group. Self-massage with … Continue reading
August 2011
REL-K Microprocessor Knee
The REL-K (Rizzoli Electronic Knee), distributed by Fillauer, is the latest generation of microprocessor knees, giving patients who have undergone amputation the ability to easily navigate their environment. With six modes of control, patients can walk, run, negotiate slopes, climb … Continue reading
August 2011
TheraFlix Online Exercise System
TheraFlix.com’s exercise prescription software provides patients and providers with an online library of physical therapy exercise videos. Each exercise is featured in a high-definition video, still image, and full-text description with verbal cueing. Exercises can be organized into protocols or … Continue reading
August 2011
Arcopédico Travel Shoes
Arcopédico’s Portuguese-made women’s shoes are designed for frequent travelers. The anatomically designed shoes have arch-supporting soles and nonbinding uppers and are engineered for comfort. The lightweight, packable shoes have moisture-wicking and antimicrobial insoles. The Shawna leather line has a flexible … Continue reading
August 2011
Therapy Motions Exercise Cycle
Therapy Motions’ second-generation eVO System is a stationary, motorized dual-motion therapy cycle with reciprocating handlebars and foot pedals that are interlinked to provide coordinated movement. Its motion provides simultaneous physical and rehabilitative therapy to both the upper and lower extremities. … Continue reading
August 2011
Low-profile Insole
Spenco Medical introduces the PolySorb ProForm, an insole that provides cushion and support for tight-fitting shoes. The ProForm, an ultra-thin insert, is designed to provide comfort in shoe styles that typically do not have room for an insole. Its four-way … Continue reading
August 2011
MedEfficiency TCC-EZ Boot
MedEfficiency has released an improved TCC-EZ Boot for diabetic foot ulcer healing. The updated TCC-EZ Boot, designed for use with the TCC-EZ Total Contact Cast System, features a Velcro closure, side paddles that grip the TCC-EZ cast, and a new sole … Continue reading
August 2011
Insightful Products Step-Smart Brace
Insightful Products’ new Step-Smart brace for foot drop pushes the foot into gentle dorsiflexion during swing phase and then decelerates the foot during heel strike. The brace is designed to provide correct timing of shock absorption and the appropriate level … Continue reading
August 2011
Össur Re-Flex Rotate Foot
Össur’s Re-Flex Rotate with energy vector optimization is a durable high performance foot that provides both vertical and rotational shock absorption as well as smoother rollover for increased stability in stance. The combination is appropriate for very active or moderately … Continue reading
August 2011
Euro International Therapeutic Shoes
Euro International introduces a new therapeutic shoe line, and now offers an assortment of surgical and foot-relief shoes, including the Mars, Saturn, Jupiter, Venus, Merkur, Uranus, and Neptune models. The new line features high-quality craftsmanship and material selection to accommodate … Continue reading
August 2011
Pedifix GelSmart Toe Spacer
PediFix introduces the GelSmart gel toe spacer, which is equipped with a gel loop to fix the device in place. The toe spacer with stretchable gel loop, made from a comfortable, durable gel material, separates the hallux and second toe … Continue reading
August 2011
Foot Foundation Balance System
The Foot Foundation’s new Sports Balance System measures and controls pronation with archless, custom-angled, full-foot foundations that can be used in almost any shoe, including athletic shoes. The SBS measurements correspond with one of 12 custom angled foundations that are designed to quickly and … Continue reading
August 2011
Momentous adaptations: Offloading the knee through gait modification
Changing the way people walk can significantly decrease knee external adduction moments, which in turn appears to relieve pain and possibly slow the progression of osteoarthritis. The challenge, however, is finding a gait modification that feels and appears natural to patients.
By Lydia Caldwell, BS, and Joaquin Barrios, PT, DPT, PhD
August 2011
Out on a limb: A thin disguise
It’s hard to remember sometimes that being thin was once undesirable, a sign of poverty, poor nutrition, and low social status. These days, Hollywood-style thinness is associated with wealth—the kind of wealth that might buy the services of a personal dietitian, personal chef, and personal trainer.
By Jordana Bieze Foster, Editor
August 2011
The role of rocker soles in reducing ulcer risk
Study findings suggest that rocker soles effectively reduce peak plantar pressures in patients at risk for diabetic foot ulceration, particularly when paired with custom orthoses. Whether or not rocker soles can play a role in healing active neuropathic ulcers, however, remains unclear.
By Emily Delzell
August 2011
Effects of balance training in individuals with CAI
Research supports the use of balance training to improve physiological and clinical outcome measures in patients with chronic ankle instability. Now researchers and clinicians must use that knowledge to optimize the incorporation of balance training into CAI rehabilitation protocols.
By JoEllen M. Sefton, PhD, ATC, CMT, and Kenneth E. Games, MEd, ATC
August 2011
Pros, cons of pressure in foot orthosis design
There’s little question that dynamic pressure data have benefit for designing foot orthoses, particularly for diabetic patients, but recent focus on the technology’s limitations has clinicians wondering about cost justification. And what about those ubiquitous drugstore kiosks?
By Cary Groner
August 2011
Gait analysis influences care of children with CP
Instrumented gait analysis can help characterize abnormal gait patterns in patients with cerebral palsy, which improves clinical decision making. Early interventions based on gait analysis can help minimize the long-term adverse effects of poor biomechanics.
By Frank M. Chang, MD, Jason T. Rhodes, MD, MS, Katherine M. Davies, BA, and James J. Carollo, PhD, PE
August 2011
Next step for FES focuses on plantar flexor muscles
Functional electrical stimulation of the ankle dorsiflexor muscles effectively reduces foot drop in stroke patients, but also is associated with limitations. Now researchers are looking to address those limitations by adding plantar flexor stimulation to the mix.
By Emily Delzell
August 2011
PFP: Vasti revisited
Other factors may warrant focus
Research presented in August at the annual meeting of the American Society of Biomechanics in Long Beach, CA, adds support to the increasingly popular idea that patellofemoral pain syndrome arises from different mechanisms—and therefore should be managed differently—in different subgroups of patients.
By Jordana Bieze Foster
August 2011
Athletes of both genders risk asymmetry in landing kinetics after surgery on ACL
Female athletes may have a greater risk of a primary anterior cruciate ligament injury than their male counterparts, but following ACL reconstruction both genders are equally prone to asymmetrical landing kinetics that could lead to a second injury, according to research from Cincinnati Children’s Hospital.
August 2011
Handicapping hallux valgus
Predictive variables include race, age
Research presented in July at the annual meeting of the American Podiatric Medical Association in Boston adds to knowledge of risk factors for and prevalence of hallux valgus. Older age, African American race, high heel use, and genetic factors all conferred an increased risk of HV.
By Emily Delzell
August 2011
Mild compression socks reduce edema, maintain flow in patients with diabetes
Mild compression socks can reduce lower extremity edema in patients with diabetes without compromising vascularity, according to research presented in July at the annual APMA meeting in Boston.
