Category Archives: Archives
July 2010
X-Silver AK Shrinker
Comfort Products now offers the new X-Silver AK Shrinker. Made with X-Static Silver for anti-microbial protection, the X-Silver AK Shrinker is designed for both short term and long term use. A soft, flexible belt is adjustable to accommodate waists from … Continue reading
July 2010
Varus/valgus Heel Wedges
G&W Heel Lift offers varus/valgus heel wedges. Designed based on practitioner recommendations, the 6º and 9º wedges can be used to correct foot and ankle issues related to excessive pronation or supination. In the large size, the wedged area extends … Continue reading
July 2010
Pentagon Knee Orthosis
The Pentagon Knee Orthosis from Anatomical Concepts is a posterior fitting, single upright, five-function knee orthosis that provides the orthopedic/rehabilitation team with a patient-friendly alternative to the traditional bulky double upright hinged knee device configuration. This system allows the calf … Continue reading
July 2010
ProMed Ankle Brace
Active Innovations introduces the new ProMed lace-up ankle brace. The ProMed ankle brace offers comfort and mobility with added support provided by its Y-shaped vertical stabilization straps that allow for control over both the forefoot and heel. Total control lacing … Continue reading
July 2010
Squared Toe Post Op Shoe
DJO offers the new ProCare Squared Toe Post Op Shoe. The shoe is designed to provide maximum immobilization and protection of the forefoot and toes for postoperative rehabilitation. The post op shoe features a rigid rocker sole, forefoot fastening system, … Continue reading
July 2010
Roomy Socks
MDI Corporation introduces Roomy Socks. These high quality, affordable diabetic socks have been awarded an exclusive national contract for VA Hospitals and clinics across the country. American made, the socks are acrylic and have relaxed tops with a 12-inch cross-stretch. … Continue reading
July 2010
Arthritis Pain Relief Orthotics
New from Dr. Scholl’s, Arthritis Pain Relief Orthotics are designed to provide both immediate and all-day relief from osteoarthritis pain in the feet, knees, and hips. Offered with a money back guarantee, the pain relief orthotics are engineered with a … Continue reading
July 2010
LER: Our first year
We published 12 information-packed issues,and readers responded— on our website and through our social media outlets. These are just a few of the highlights.
• Top Articles – Most Visits • Top Products – Most viewed • Articles Most Commented On • Most Viewed Product Videos • Top 5 – Most Time Spent on Article • #1 Facebook Fan
July 2010
The Throw – From Below: Hip mechanics dictate overhead motion
It’s shoulder and elbow injuries that most often land baseball pitchers and other throwing athletes on the disabled list. But the cause of those injuries often can be traced to strength and flexibility deficits at the hip—effects that reverberate up the kinetic chain.
by Kevin Laudner, PhD, ATC, FACSM
July 2010
Publisher’s memo: The first of many
When I decided to create LER, I spoke with many of you to determine if there was a need for a multi-disciplinary magazine exclusively focused on the lower extremity. The response was overwhelming and very positive. You wanted a practical, easy-to-read publication that delivered the clinical literature reviews but without all the dry and boring details of the methods, a publication that encouraged collaboration and helped to improve outcomes for your patients.
by Richard Dubin, Publisher
July 2010
Out on a limb: Personality test
Athletes are known for being difficult patients, with psychology often playing as important a role as biomechanics. The objective is to keep an athlete’s personality from getting in the way of proper medical care. But sometimes that’s easier said than done. Just ask the Boston Red Sox.
by Jordana Bieze Foster, Editor
July 2010
Quantifying functional effects of AFO alignment
Assessing device alignment is a key aspect of prosthetic practice, but when it comes to lower extremity orthotics the process is less common. That’s changing, however, as researchers begin to document the effects of alignment on gait biomechanics.
by Cary Groner
July 2010
Knee OA and obesity: A cyclical clinical challenge
Obesity not only increases the risk of knee osteoarthritis but also makes it more difficult to treat, as typical exercise recommendations often are simply not practical. Gait researchers, however, are working to identify new potential therapeutic approaches.
by Elizabeth M. Russell, MS, and Joseph Hamill, PhD
July 2010
Therapeutic management of flexible flatfoot pain
The practitioner’s objective in treating flexible flatfoot is to realign the foot and eliminate pain. Multiple nonsurgical therapeutic options are available, but if those are unsuccessful, surgical interventions can be effective.
by Neal M. Blitz, DPM, FACFAS, and Pawel Hanulewicz, MD
July 2010
Achilles tendinopathy: Treatment strategies
Research has elucidated new information about the disease processes that contribute to Achilles tendinopathy and the relative effectiveness of therapies such as heavy-load eccentric exercise and injections of corticosteroids, dextrose, and other solutions.
by Michael Ryan PhD, CPed(C)
July 2010
Dyslipidemia’s effect on diabetic neuropathy
The importance of glycemic control in patients with diabetes is well known. But neurological studies suggest that dyslipidemia is actually a more significant contributor to the development of peripheral neuropathy in the same patient population.
by Andrea M. Vincent, PhD, Lucy M. Hinder, PhD, and Eva L. Feldman, MD, PhD
July 2010
Fighting fatigue
As a growing body of research supports the idea that fatigue contributes to sports-related injury, investigators are now working to identify those athletes who may be most vulnerable to the effects of fatigue and interventions that could counteract those effects.
July 2010
Charcot and limb loss
Ulcer prevention is the key to amputation prevention in patients with Charcot arthropathy, according to research from Chicago that raises the question of whether pre-emptive surgical correction of deformities is warranted in Charcot patients.
July 2010
Habitual high-heeled shoe wearers exhibit musculotendinous changes
Women who are so accustomed to high heels that they feel uncomfortable in flat shoes demonstrate musculotendinous changes compared to those who prefer flats, according to research from Manchester Metropolitan University in the U.K. Investigators recruited 11 women between the … Continue reading
July 2010
Orthosis study favors three-quarter length for patients with hallux valgus
A study from the University of Tennessee supports the use of a three-quarter length custom orthosis for patients with hallux valgus deformity. The study compared custom orthoses of full, three-quarter, and sulcus lengths. The orthoses were worn by 25 patients … Continue reading
July 2010
Altered ability to detect joint loading plagues chronically unstable ankles
Even in the absence of impaired joint laxity, chronically unstable ankles demonstrate a reduced ability to detect afferent signals in response to applied loads, according to research from the University of Delaware. In 19 healthy ankles and 10 ankles with … Continue reading
July 2010
Study finds variations in co-contraction during closed kinetic chain exercises
Closed kinetic chain exercises vary considerably with respect to quadriceps-hamstrings co-contraction, which may have significant implications for rehabilitation, according to research from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. Investigators analyzed activation of the vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, medial … Continue reading
June 2010
Investigators examine biomechanical effects of carbon composite devices
AFOs must find energy balance – The extent to which carbon composite ankle foot orthoses improve gait efficiency in stroke patients may be a function of walking speed, according to a Swedish study. And despite the fact that the devices are known for their energy storage, research from the Netherlands suggests that the relationship between energy storage and energy cost may be complicated.
June 2010
Obesity impairs children’s response to orthotic therapy for flexible flatfoot
Is earlier intervention needed? Researchers and clinicians are only beginning to understand the relationship between pediatric flexible flatfoot and obesity, which becomes even more complicated in the context of orthotic treatment. Findings from Hong Kong appear to throw another wrinkle into the mix, suggesting that obese children are significantly slower to respond to orthotic therapy than their normal-weight counterparts.
June 2010
Researchers explore screening options for earlier diagnosis of Charcot foot
Biomechanics may offer clues – Too often, by the time Charcot neuroarthropathy is diagnosed, it is too late to do much more than accommodate the resulting deformity. That’s why researchers from Germany and the U.K. are working to find ways of screening for patients at risk for Charcot, which would facilitate earlier and more effective intervention.
