Category Archives: Archives
June 2018
Children’s 3R67 Prosthetic Knee
Ottobock HealthCare’s 3R67 prosthetic knee joint is the first everyday prosthesis with hydraulic swing phase control specifically for children. Children have different prosthetic needs than adults — and the cutting-edge technology of the new 3R67 prosthetic knee joint meets the everyday demands of… Continue reading
June 2018
Low-Cost Prosthetic Foot Mimics Natural Walking
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) engineers have developed a simple, low-cost, passive prosthetic foot that can be tailored to an individual. Given a user’s body weight and size, the researchers can tune the shape and stiffness of the prosthesis, such that the user’s walk is similar to an able-bodied gait. Continue reading
June 2018
Ankle-foot orthoses and functional electrical stimulation for foot drop in MS: Pluses, minuses, progress
Assistive ambulation devices for the ankle can bolster walking speed and safety and lessen the risk of injury to the joint. But which of 2 technologies is best for your patient?
By Hank Black Continue reading
June 2018
EXPERT OPINION: Advances and alternatives in diabetic ulcer offloading
Diabetic foot ulcers pose life-threatening risks to patients with diabetes. Offloading of high pressure areas of the foot is key to successful treatment. We review various methods here.
By James McGuire, DPM, PT, LPed, FAPWHc, and Tyler Coye, BA Continue reading
June 2018
Management of acute ankle sprains: To immobilize or not?
Functional rehabilitation training protocols typically consist of stability and postural control exercises aimed at recovering from the proprioceptive defect that occurs after an ankle injury and preventing recurrent sprains by improving stabilometric results.
By Audris Tien, DPM, Jarrod Shapiro, DPM, FACFAS, FACFAOM, Jonathan Labovitz, DPM, FACFAS, CHCQM Continue reading
June 2018
Overuse Injuries in Elite Basketball Players
Equinus is the primary mechanical cause of acquired non-traumatic foot and ankle pathology—plantar fasciitis, AT, and MSS—in running sports. The three most common lower-extremity overuse injuries among those who participate in running-related sports such as basketball have all been linked to the…
By Patrick A. DeHeer, DPM, FACFAS, FASPS, FFPM RCPS (Glasg) Continue reading
June 2018
Gender Matters in Achieving Functional Performance
How many practice trials are needed to achieve functional performance in static and dynamic balance and hopping tests among those with chronic ankle instability (CAI)? That was the question Jordan Read, a student at the University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas, and colleagues looked to answer in his poster, Recommended Number of Trials for Balance and Hopping Tests between Male and Female CAI.1 Continue reading
June 2018
The Effects of TT, FRT, and KT on Joint Angles and YBT Performance
Chronic ankle instability (CAI) is a common issue in the athletic population. Although there are many prophylactic taping methods used to prevent repetitive ankle sprains, the effects of these taping methods in dynamic postural control are not clearly understood. Continue reading
June 2018
The Effect of CAI on Landing/Cutting Lower-Extremity Kinematics, EMG, and GRF
In the poster, Altered Movement Neuromechanics during Jump Landing and Cutting in Patients with Chronic Ankle Instability,3 Hyunsoo Kim, assistant professor of the Department of Kinesiology, West Chester University, West Chester, PA, and colleagues looked at altered movement pattern in patients with CAI to examine biomechanical factors for CAI. Continue reading
June 2018
Influence of TT, FRT, and KT on Joint Angles of Lower Extremity
Even though there have been numerous studies regarding prophylactic ankle taping, the way to control the increased mechanical laxity associated with their condition during dynamic activity is not clear. To investigate the effects of traditional tape (TT), fibular repositioning tape (FRT), and kinesiology tape (KT) on joint angles of the lower extremity, Songah Chae, a student in the Department of Movement Sciences at the University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, led a research team on the study, Influence of Prophylactic Ankle Tapes on Lower Extremity Kinematics during Stop-jump in Chronic Ankle Instability.4 Continue reading
June 2018
Identifying CAI Through Specific Movement Patterns
Looking to identify specific movement strategies and describe lower extremity stiffness of the subgroups of patients with CAI compared to an uninjured control group, J. Ty Hopkins, PhD, professor of human performance research center at Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, examined 200 CAI participants (109 male) and 100 controls (54 male). Continue reading
June 2018
Footniche: A new paradigm for thinking about foot care
Definitions are important because words can make the difference between understanding and misunderstanding. I prefer a simple definition of footwear: that which covers the foot. This definition does not say it is a top covering of the foot—just a covering of the foot. In the definition of something as fundamental as footwear, I believe that less is more.
By Joseph M. Mozena Continue reading
May 2018
Hamstring: Trends in preventing and treating hamstring-strain injuries
High relapse rate from preseason injuries presents significant challenge for athletes and sports teams. Hamstring strain injuries are among the most common in sports, often leading to recurring problems or future injury. Marcus Elliott, director of P3 Applied Sports Science and a former muscle-injury specialist for the National Football League’s New England Patriots, conducted…
By Keith Loria Continue reading
May 2018
Biofeedback aids in resolving the paradox of weight-bearing
Too much? Or not enough? New biofeedback tools help patients with lower-limb fracture in their struggle to understand how much weight to bear on an injured limb. Clinicians whose patients have a lower-limb fracture are faced with a paradox: whether or not to instruct them to place weight on the healing fracture.
By Jill R. Dorson Continue reading
May 2018
The lower limb and knee account for >75% of musculoskeletal injuries in today’s military.
Osteoarthritis is among the leading causes of disability in the United States, costing billions of dollars each year in lost work hours, treatments, and doctor visits, and leaving people sidelined from day-to-day activities. That problem is mirrored and amplified in the military, a unique segment of the population that relies heavily on physical fitness and ability.
By Nicole Wetsman Continue reading
May 2018
AA vs TAA: Update on ankle arthroplasty
End-stage arthritis of the ankle joint affects more than 50,000 people in the US. When conservative treatments do not provide enough relief, surgical options should be considered. Patient selection is key when choosing between ankle arthrodesis (fusion) and total ankle arthroplasty (replacement).
By Vicki Foerster, MD, MSc Continue reading
May 2018
Fracture Sock to Reduce Irritation
New from Elite Orthopaedics is the Fracture Sock, designed to reduce skin irritation while wearing an ankle walker. The latex-free fracture sock is composed of 100% synthetic knit for superior moisture absorption. An improved cross stitch provides better compression, which helps reduce the risk of friction and lessens the risk of sock bunching. The product’s overall knit quality creates a comfortable barrier for the patient’s skin. Continue reading
May 2018
SMU President Sharon Diaz announces retirement
Sharon Diaz will step down as president and chief executive officer of Samuel Merritt University (SMU) in Oakland, CA, by January 2019. In 2002, Diaz was instrumental in bringing about the merger of SMU and the California College of Podiatric Medicine, now called the California School of Podiatric Medicine. Diaz was the first president of SMU and has been a leader in education for 45 years. Continue reading
May 2018
Iowa governor signs the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed into law April 4, 2018 the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact (House File 2425). The compact is an agreement between member states to improve access to physical therapy services by increasing the ability of physical therapists to work in multiple states. Continue reading
May 2018
APMA Registry Ready for MIPS 2018 Reporting Year
The American Podiatric Medicine Association (APMA) registry is accepting 2018 Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) reporting data from MIPS eligible practitioners. The 2018 performance period score will impact 2020 Medicare payments, with a positive, neutral, or negative payment adjustment. Continue reading
May 2018
Heel Pain Orthotic Device
Heel pain affects over 25% of the adult population and 20% of the pediatric population. Heel Defender is a patented heel orthotic device for off-loading the painful heel in both adults and children. Heel Defender is designed to remove the impact force from the heel, allowing for comfortable walking and standing while heel pain is being treated. Continue reading
May 2018
Podiatry Care May Lead to Reduced Hospitalizations and Opioid Prescription, Study Shows
A New York State Podiatric Medical Association (NYSPMA) survey, initiated in late 2017, has found that expanding podiatry’s role in health care may lead to reduced hospitalizations, long-term health care costs, and opioid prescription in 4 target groups: diabetes, obesity, substance abuse/back pain, and fall prevention. Improvement in health care in these conditions aligns with New York’s Delivery System Reform Incentive Payment program health goals. Continue reading
May 2018
Advisory Book for Parents of Child Athletes Pneumatic Walker
#HeySportsParents is a new advisory book written by Sharkie Zartman and Dr. Robert Weil. The book is intended for parents with children playing sports. The first segment of the book (Sports Parenting 101) covers the basics of parenting a young athlete, including the perks and pitfalls of youth sports, how to choose the right program, how to feed a young athlete, what a parent’s role should be, how to coach one’s own child, how to navigate the college recruiting process, and stress management. Continue reading
May 2018
PT Referral Rates Nearly Halved Between 2003 and 2014
A study recently published in the April issue of Journal of General Internal Medicine has found that primary care physician referrals to physical therapists for musculoskeletal conditions declined by nearly half over a 12-year period, while referrals to specialists during that time increased by a similar rate. Continue reading
May 2018
Pro Select Full Shell Pneumatic Walker
The Pro Select Full Shell Air Walker from Elite Orthopaedics, Inc. features a full circumference shell design that provides controlled immobilization of the lower leg, ankle, and foot. A breathable insole, featuring patent-pending technology, allows for air to circulate to prevent the accumulation of heat during patient usage. Small perforations work to prevent humidity and help heat escape. Continue reading
