Category Archives: Archives
January 2012
Polyester/Lycra Casting Socks
The STS Company of Mill Valley, CA, announces the release of a new and improved line of tubular polyester/Lycra casting socks. The new material provides a detailed, accurate, and precise negative mold of the lower extremity (foot, leg and thigh) … Continue reading
January 2012
Out on a limb: Next top model
I grew up in Portland, OR. I live in New England. That means I root against all of the Los Angeles Lakers. But I do find Kobe Bryant’s footwear fascinating.
Jordana Bieze Foster, Editor
January 2012
Surgical success in CP
Some dorsiflexion gains are surprising – A recent study validates the long-held clinical belief that, in appropriately selected children with cerebral palsy (CP), ankle dorsiflexion during swing phase improves after ankle plantar flexor surgery and that postsurgical rehabilitation should include a focus on dorsiflexor function.
By Emily Delzell
January 2012
Charcot-Marie-Tooth patients delay using prescribed ankle foot orthoses
Even if they have a device prescription, individuals with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease tend to put off wearing ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) until walking function is impaired, according to research conducted at St. George’s University of London and Kingston University, London. Investigators compared … Continue reading
January 2012
Muscle activation data suggest gap in poststroke gait rehabilitation
Improving gait and coordination among stroke survivors should involve developing rehabilitation techniques that target abnormal muscle timing characteristics, suggests recent research from the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center, OH. The study, e-published in December by Rehabilitation Practice and Research, … Continue reading
January 2012
Shear significance
Study delves beyond plantar pressure – Recent research confirms that peak shear and peak pressure points occur at different locations under the foot, shedding some light on the role of shear in diabetic foot ulceration.
By Emily Delzell
January 2012
Peroneal response to inversion increases with shoe sole thickness
Wearing thick-soled shoes increases the magnitude of peroneus longus muscle activity required to resist an unanticipated foot inversion, elevating the risk of an ankle sprain, according to research from the University of Dundee in Scotland. Investigators used electromyography to assess … Continue reading
January 2012
Ball sports bolster bones
High-impact history benefits runners – Preliminary findings from Stanford University add to the growing body of evidence suggesting that playing soccer or basketball at an early age helps lower the risk of stress fracture in athletes who go on to become dedicated runners.
By Jordana Bieze Foster
January 2012
Ball position during overhead catch influences ACL injury risk on landing
When an athlete jumps to catch a ball overhead, the path of the ball relative to the dominant leg affects landing mechanics in ways that could increase risk of anterior cruciate ligament injury, according to research from Griffith University in … Continue reading
January 2012
AFO offloading findings could affect tibial stress fracture management
A corset-style ankle foot orthosis is more effective than a controlled ankle motion walker for offloading the distal lower extremity, according to pilot data from Colorado investigators that could have implications for management of tibial stress fractures in athletes. Researchers … Continue reading
January 2012
ABC names new officers, launches interactive state licensure map
The Board of Directors for the Alexandria, VA-based American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics (ABC) named Donald D. Virostek, CPO, president of the organization on December 1. Virostek, director of orthotics at the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital … Continue reading
January 2012
PAL Health manufacturing goes mobile with tablet technology
Pekin, IL-based PAL Health Technologies reports that taking its fabrication management mobile has resulted in a 13% increase in productivity and 2% reduction in internal product rejects after six months. PAL Health’s production data software for Apple’s iPad allows managers … Continue reading
January 2012
OPAF clinics get O&P patients moving
The Orthotic & Prosthetic Activities Foundation (OPAF) has signed two significant 2012 sponsors for its First Clinic series of no-cost, introductory adaptive recreational clinics for individuals served by the O&P community. Owings Mills, MD-based Board of Certification International has upped … Continue reading
January 2012
New CPT codes relate to Dermagraft
The American Medical Association (AMA) has assigned two new procedure codes for the application of living skin cell product Dermagraft, according to Westport, CT-based manufacturer Advanced BioHealing. Dermagraft is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for up to … Continue reading
January 2012
Pedors Shoes wins PFA award
The Pedorthic Footcare Association (PFA) presented Marietta, GA-based Pedors Shoes with the Pedorthic Footwear Vendor/ Manufacturer of the Year award at its 2011 symposium, held last November in Albuquerque, NM. The PFA’s annual award goes to a company the association’s … Continue reading
January 2012
KineMedics inks deal to distribute AFX foot-ankle strengthening system
Ottawa, Ontario-based KineMedics has signed a deal with another Canadian company, Port Moody, BC-based Progressive Health Innovations (PHI) to distribute PHI’s AFX (Ankle Foot Maximizer), a strengthening system for the ankle and foot complex. The AFX system’s variety of resistance … Continue reading
January 2012
PT foundation funds scholarship, signs DJO Global as research partner
The Alexandria, VA-based Foundation for Physical Therapy granted several awards in December. Two physical therapists each received $40,000 research grants and three won $5000 each as recipients of the Florence P. Kendall Doctoral Scholarships for the 2011-2012 academic year. Kristin … Continue reading
January 2012
IOC names Oslo as site of fourth Advanced Team Physician Course
The International Olympic Committee’s fourth Advanced Team Physician Course is scheduled for May 30-June 1 at the Soria Moria Hotel in Oslo, Norway. The course, geared toward the practical issues of working with high-level athletes in a team sports setting, … Continue reading
January 2012
RehabTech Asia will debut in 2013
RehabTech Asia is the region’s only trade gathering for the assistive technology, integrated care, and rehabilitation engineering industries. The inaugural event, which includes a trade exhibition, conference, hosted buyer program, and business forums, is scheduled for February 27-March 31, 2013 … Continue reading
January 2012
AOPA hosts 2012 audio conferences
Practitioners who want to learn the latest in O&P and earn CE credits can dial in to the American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association’s (AOPA) telephone seminars the second Wednesday of each month at 1 pm EST. Practitioners can receive 1.5 … Continue reading
January 2012
COPA reprises educational event
The California Orthotic & Prosthetic Association (COPA) will hold its second annual COPA Educational Event on Friday, March 2, at California State University, Dominguez Hills’s O&P Program in Long Beach. The one-day event will include three concurrent tracks: a prosthetic … Continue reading
January 2012
Knee bracing benefits off-road motorcyclists
New research suggests that serious injuries occur as frequently in off-road motorcycle racing as they do in football, but such injuries occur less frequently in riders who wear knee braces.This may be why, although it is not well studied, knee bracing is widespread among off-road motorcycle riders.
By Wesley M.Gladin, BS, Robert A.Cates, BA, and Mark S.Sanders, MD, FACS
January 2012
Adult acquired flatfoot: Nonoperative options
Adult acquired flatfoot deformity, primarily posterior tibial tendon dysfunction, in many cases can be successfully managed with conservative treatment modalities including early immobilization, long-term bracing, physical therapy, and anti-inflammatory medications.
By Robert W. Mendicino, DPM, FACFAS, Alan R. Catanzariti, DPM, FACFAS, and Kyle S. Peterson, DPM Continue reading
January 2012
Knee OA: The evidence for gait modification
Gait retraining can potentially alter walking biomechanics such that knee adduction moment is reduced, an inexpensive offloading option that does not require device wear. Gait modification studies to date have primarily focused on foot rotation, trunk lean, and knee medialization.
By Michael A. Hunt, PT, PhD
