Category Archives: Archives
March 2020
Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy in Diabetic Foot Ulcers
Use of negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is growing in the management of complex wounds as well as foot and ankle surgery. Researchers from Rush University Medical Center in Chicago and Wake Forest Baptist Health Center in North Carolina recently published a review of the evidence for NPWT in Foot & Ankle International. Their findings related to diabetic foot and neuropathic ulcers are excerpted here. Continue reading
March 2020
Updated Treatment Guideline for OA Published
The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and the Arthritis Foundation (AF) partnered to update and publish the 2019 ACR/AF Guideline for the Management of Osteoarthritis [OA] of the Hand, Hip and Knee. Last published in 2012, the updated guideline includes contributions to the literature since the last publication, and for the first time direct patient participation was incorporated.
By Laura Fonda Hochnadel Continue reading
March 2020
What you need to know about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. The virus that causes COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus that was first identified during an investigation into an outbreak in Wuhan, China. COVID-19 is spreading from person to person in parts of the United States. Risk of infection with COVID-19 is higher for people who are close contacts of someone known to have COVID-19, for example healthcare workers, or household members. Continue reading
March 2020
How Well Did You Read This Issue?
Test your knowledge of information from this issue of Lower Extremity Review and the world in general with our new crossword puzzle feature.
March 2020
Lower Extremity Noninvasive Vascular Testing Update
Peripheral arterial disease may be a common finding among those over 50, but it remains underdiagnosed. Choosing the right diagnostic test is key. Eight million men and women in the United States have lower extremity peripheral arterial disease (PAD).1 PAD is a common finding among patients over age 50, yet it is frequently underdiagnosed.
By Brittany Mammano, DPM, PGY-1, and Saba Sadra, DPM, MSc Continue reading
March 2020
Injury Prevention Keeps Dancers on Their Toes
Unique partnership between University Hospitals’ Sports Medicine Team and the Cleveland Ballet focuses on performer preparation to avoid long-term problems. Efficient movement in ballet is easy to recognize, as every step the dancer takes flows seamlessly into the next, representing a perfect balance of muscular engagement and release.
By Douglas J. Guth Continue reading
March 2020
CLINICAL PERSPECTIVE: Assessing Relaxed Standing Alignment and Posture in Autism Spectrum Disorder
Use the scale provided here to help you assess standing posture, including the nature and extent of deviation from normal, in children with a developmental disability. Proper standing alignment requires that muscles, bones, and joints are in correct relation to each other, creating elongation and symmetry while counteracting the detrimental force of gravity.
By Dalia Zwick, PT, PHD Continue reading
March 2020
Rx for Diabetic Foot Ulcers: Optimize Your Communication With Patients
Communication, education, and empathy—combined with a solid knowledge base of the disease—are key components of successful management of these damaging, even life-threatening, lesions. Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) can be concerning to patients and providers for multiple reasons. From the patient’s perspective, DFUs can be uncomfortable, even painful, and a source of embarrassment from a…
By Angela Kelley, PA-C Continue reading
March 2020
CGS Introduces Modifier Recommendation Tool
CGS, the Durable Medical Equipment Medicare Administrative Contractor (DME MAC) for Jurisdictions B and C, has introduced a modifier recommendation tool. The Advanced Modifier Engine was designed by CGS to assist suppliers in billing proper Healthcare Common Procedure Coding Systems (HCPCS) codes and modifier combinations. Continue reading
March 2020
Jurisdiction D DME MAC Conducting Targeted Probe and Educate Reviews
Noridian, the Jurisdiction D Durable Medical Equipment Medicare Administrative Contractor (DME MAC) is conducting Targeted Probe and Educate (TPE) reviews for several specialties, among which are ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs), knee orthoses, and therapeutic shoes. The quarterly edit effectiveness results from October 2019 through… Continue reading
March 2020
Soft Exosuit Designed to Help Seniors Walk
A new line of wearable robotics developed by The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) and The City University of New York, City College (CCNY) could keep seniors on their feet longer. A prototype developed by Hao Su, PhD, an assistant professor at CCNY, and tested by Gerard Francisco, MD, and Shuo-Hsiu (James) Chang, PT, PhD, of… Continue reading
March 2020
O&P Techs Collaborate on Children’s Book About a Boy and His New AFO
Three graduates of the Prosthetic-Orthotic Technician Program at George Brown College, Ontario, Canada, have collaborated on a new children’s book, which was recently published and is available for sale on Amazon. Beau and His New AFO: A Children’s Guide to Ankle Foot Orthoses was written by Stephanie Blunt and illustrated by Amelia Levick and Katrina Whitmell. Continue reading
March 2020
MediKaki Opens in Penang, Malaysia
MediKaki, a new shoe store “that is offering more than shoes,” recently opened in Penang, Malaysia. A team lead by Mogan Naidu, MD, will be screening and assessing patients and will also provide a range of affordable house shoes, depth shoes with custom orthotics, and full custom footwear. Naidu is a wound care provider, head of… Continue reading
March 2020
CSF2 Merges with Solati Health
Custom Silicone Fabrication of San Francisco (CSF2), a company that develops custom silicone products for amputees and prosthetic solutions, has merged with Solati Health, Reno, NV. The addition of CSF2 will be the foundation of Solati’s interface liners and fabrication capabilities. The merger will enable Solati to expand its line of prosthetic products and technologies. Continue reading
March 2020
Sensor Medica Opens First US Biomechanical Clinic in Idaho
Sensor Medica USA has opened its first biomechanical clinic at its North American headquarters, located at 919 South Utah Ave, Idaho Falls, ID. The clinic uses the company’s own technology to offer complete gait and motion analysis, posturographic analysis for balance control, fall risk assessment, range of motion evaluation of all the articulations, a running lab using baropodometric and… Continue reading
March 2020
DMSO-free Viable Cellular Bone Allograft
Orthobiologics are a group of treatment options that use substances naturally found in the body in an intensified concentration. Royal Biologics, an orthobiologics company specializing in the research and advancement of regenerative cellular therapy and novel orthobiologic solutions, announced the launch of… Continue reading
March 2020
daniPro Nail Recovery Treatment
daniPro Nail Recovery Treatment is a new development in nail treatment that incorporates coconut, passiflora, apricot, avocado, and salicornia oils. The deep treatment is formulated to target dry, brittle nails to make them feel stronger and silkier. As with all daniPro products, Nail Recovery Treatment is infused with undecylenic acid to… Continue reading
March 2020
Balance, Stability, Accuracy, Distance, Comfort
The new SQAIRZ golf shoe features a less rounded, squarer toe box, which helps the golfer with alignment on every shot. The geometry of the toe box also provides room for the toes to sit naturally in the shoe and facilitates proper range of motion for the feet. The base under the forefoot is 2mm wider than most other golf shoes, providing additional balance and stability. Continue reading
March 2020
Waterproof All-Terrain Prosthetic Knee
LegWorks’ ATK (all-terrain knee) HydraPro is a low-maintenance, waterproof, and highly functional 4-bar prosthetic knee joint that is designed to meet the physical demands of active amputees; it is offered with or without stance flexion. The company’s patented Autolock Technology stance phase controller is engineered to… Continue reading
March 2020
Swedish Ankle Foot Orthosis
Elite Orthopaedics has brought to market the Swedish Ankle Foot Orthosis (AFO). This new, multifaceted AFO is designed to prevent foot drop and heel cord tightness, and to support the foot in a proper position. Indications include mild foot drop secondary to cerebrovascular accident and other neurological conditions. Continue reading
March 2020
New Tea Tree–Infused Foot Wipes
Tea Tree Ultimates Foot Wipes from PediFix help clean sweat and odor, dirt and grime, fungus, bacteria, and germs from skin surfaces. Practitioners can keep the wipes in the treatment room for quick patient cleanup before exams. The tea tree wipes are also helpful for diabetic and post-op foot care. Patients in nursing homes are also targeted users for the wipes, as are individuals who wear sandals and other open shoes. Continue reading
March 2020
High-Performance Sports Insoles
VKTRY Performance Insoles from VKTRY Gear are engineered specifically for sports usage. The insoles are designed to return the energy an athlete generates into explosive power, which translates to improved speed and agility. The insoles feature a patented carbon fiber design that, according to third-party research, has been proven to increase explosiveness by 9.3%. Continue reading
March 2020
PIVOT: NEW AND IMPROVED CENTER RIVET
Pivot is an articulated, self-aligning, low-profile AFO hinge newly available from LaunchPad. It is designed to be fabricated similarly to a flexure joint, meaning an alignment jig is unnecessary. Pivot provides the mechanism of movement that allows practitioners to control sagittal plane motion without the bulk of traditional urethane hinge bodies or double-action ankle joints. Continue reading
March 2020
VACOcast Diabetic Boot – Vacuum Technology Creates Cast-like Stability
OPED Medical now offers the new VACOcast Diabetic – the ideal boot for diabetic foot syndrome, ulcerations of the foot, post-operative care after toe and forefoot amputations, diabetic neuro-osteoarthropathy, and DNOAP and Charcot foot. Studies show same results as TCC, but more effective! Continue reading
March 2020
Help Prevent Venous Issues with OS1st Graduated Compression Travel Socks
Another 1st! OS1st® has applied our medical grade manufacturing technologies and unsurpassed quality to an increasing consumer health and protection need, travel health and safety. OS1st® TS5™ Travel Socks have medically correct graduated compression for the prevention of venous issues related to long term sitting, such as air travel and other forms of extended immobility. Continue reading
