Category Archives: Archives
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.
August 2011
Upshots of ankle bracing
Proximal effects could put knees at risk
Bracing the ankle has kinetic effects at the more proximal joints that could increase the risk of anterior cruciate ligament injury, according to research from Iowa State University presented in August at the annual meeting of the American Society of Biomechanics in Long Beach, CA.
By Jordana Bieze Foster
August 2011
Gait data suggest ESAR prosthetic feet sacrifice stability to improve propulsion
Decreasing the stiffness of an energy storage and return prosthetic foot improves propulsion but does so at the cost of stability, according to research from the University of Texas at Austin presented in August at the ASB meeting.
August 2011
Ankle foot orthoses assist conservative treatment of retrocalcaneal heel pain
Nonoperative treatment of retrocalcaneal heel pain with stretching and ankle foot orthoses has had an 83% success rate at the University of Tennessee, researchers from that institution reported in July at the annual meeting of the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society in Keystone, CO.
August 2011
Study supports Heelift to lower risk of pressure ulcers after hip fracture
The Heelift Suspension Boot from Evanston, IL-based DM Systems can significantly reduce the risk of pressure ulcers in patients recovering from hip fracture, according to a study from Northern Ireland published in the July issue of the Journal of Wound … Continue reading
August 2011
Masterfit University courses hone snowsports boot fitting expertise
Lower extremity practitioners who are involved or interested in snowsports boot fitting can learn the relevant skills while earning continuing education credits through Briarcliff Manor, NY-based Masterfit University. Designed and taught by certified pedorthists with more than 225 years of … Continue reading
August 2011
Charcot-Marie-Tooth Association marks September for awareness
The Charcot-Marie-Tooth Association (CMTA) has announced plans for National Charcot-Marie-Tooth disorder Awareness Month in September 2011. The CMTA will host local, national, and global events to raise awareness of this degenerative neuromuscular disease. CMT Global Day is scheduled for September … Continue reading
August 2011
PAL updates XtremityOne software for diabetic orthotic management
Pekin, IL-based PAL Health Technologies announced in August the release of Version 3 of its XtremityOne software for computer-assisted orthotic management of diabetic foot ulcers. XtremityOne is a portable, integrated unit that captures scanned foot images, allows for image manipulation … Continue reading
August 2011
littleSteps orthosis line expands to include larger children’s sizes
Middlebury, CT-based Nolaro24 has added new sizes to its littleSteps product line of pediatric orthotic devices. littleSteps now come in sizes 6 and 7, so the entire line now accommodates shoes ranging from toddler size 8.5 to children’s size 6. … Continue reading
August 2011
CastCooler extends global reach with distribution in Middle East
CastCooler is now bringing relief to some of the hottest places on the planet. The Colorado Springs, CO-based company announced in July its plans to begin distribution in Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, Lebanon, and Turkey—starting with … Continue reading
July 2011
Aquatic Access Pool Lifts
Aquatic Access’s redesigned line of IGAT (in-ground automatic turn) pool lifts is compliant with 2010 Standards for Accessible Design, which require public recreational facilities to be handicapped accessible. Easily removable Aquatic Access lifts, for aquatic therapy patients who are unable … Continue reading
July 2011
Hot & Cold Foot Massager
Health Enterprises’ Therapeutic Hot & Cold Foot Massager provides three massage options to help relieve pain and reduce stress. The over-the-counter massager can be filled with warm water or ice or cold water and offers alternate pressures for relaxing or … Continue reading
July 2011
Apis Mt. Emey Medical Footwear
Apis’s Mt. Emey Medical Collection shoes are designed for hard-to-fit feet as well as those with more challenging orthotic needs. These shoes offer a variety of closures for adjustability and accommodate mild or severe foot deformities, including those caused by … Continue reading
July 2011
QuikStride-Plus Prefab Insole
FootStride Technology’s custom orthotic lab offers an improved version of its QuikStride prefabricated insole. The insole’s full-length cover provides a shock-absorbing cushion that molds to patients’ feet while its combination of Dri-Lex Eco antimicrobial material and perforated EVA wicks away … Continue reading
July 2011
Pro-Tec Gel-Force Knee Support
Pro-Tec’s Gel-Force Knee Support is designed to alleviate knee pain and provide moderate knee joint stability for patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome, patellar maltracking, chondromalacia, and minor meniscus and ligament tears. It provides patellar compression and offers stability on the medial … Continue reading
