Category Archives: Archives
March 2019
$11 million NIH Grant Creates New Center for Musculoskeletal Research
Clemson University, South Carolina, received an $11 million grant from the National Institutes of Health’s Center for Biomedical Research Excellence to launch a new research center that will bring together scientists from across the state to change the way musculoskeletal disorders are diagnosed, treated, and studied. Continue reading
March 2019
CMS Includes 7 OTS Knee Orthoses in 2021 Competitive Bidding Program
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that the Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program for dates of service beginning January 1, 2021, will include 7 off-the-shelf (OTS) knee orthoses. Continue reading
March 2019
SIGVARIS Is now SIGVARIS GROUP
SIGVARIS, Peachtree, Georgia, has changed its corporate name and logo from SIGVARIS to SIGVARIS GROUP. SIGVARIS, a 155-year-old Swiss company, manufactures medical compression socks and hosiery with a wide assortment of inelastic wraps and lymphedema garments. Continue reading
March 2019
Wound Healing Clinical & Translational Research Team Receives Grant to Join Diabetic Foot Consortium
The clinical and translational research team at the University of Miami (UM) Miller School of Medicine’s Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery received a 4-year, $1.7 million grant to become 1 of 6 Clinical Research Units (CRU) in the US to help improve outcomes for patients with diabetic foot ulcers. Continue reading
March 2019
CMS Launches “What’s Covered” App to Guide Beneficiaries
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) launched a new app that gives consumers direct access on a mobile device to some of the most-used content on Medicare.gov. The new “What’s Covered” app lets people with Original Medicare, caregivers, and others quickly see whether Medicare covers a specific medical item or service. Continue reading
March 2019
UniSA Creates Recipe for Realistic Foot Ulcers
Podiatrists at the University of South Australia (UniSA), Adelaide, have blended icing sugar, chicken stock, and flexible resin to create realistic-looking foot ulcers as part of a world-first podiatric training initiative. Helen Banwell, DPM, and Ryan Causby, DPM, concocted the mixture, which is being added to 3D-printed feet and is designed to mimic infected and non-infected diabetic foot wounds. Continue reading
March 2019
Core-Spun Patterned AFO Socks by SmartKnit
Knit-Rite has long been a manufacturer of SmartKnit Seamless Socks made for adults and children who use AFOs. SmartKnit Seamless Socks are soft and comfortable, giving the feeling of a cool second layer of skin between the wearer and the AFO. Knit-Rite now offers Core-Spun Patterned AFO Socks by SmartKnit. Continue reading
March 2019
Samuel Hubbard Women’s City Zipper Boot
lide in. Zip up. Step out. The City Zipper from Samuel Hubbard is designed to wow the wearer’s feet. Comfort engineering is at the heart of how Samuel Hubbard designs and builds its shoes. Meant to be the go-to-boot in any women’s closet, the women’s City Zipper is fabricated from premium European sourced, tumbled… Continue reading
March 2019
Insightful Products’ Masted Knee Brace
The Masted Knee Brace (MKB) is the newest design offered by Insightful Products. The MKB was developed primarily to address the common problem of distal migration. This knee orthosis is said to ensure good knee and brace-joint alignment. It has adjustable flexion and extension stops at 15-degree increments and the foot section offers… Continue reading
March 2019
ReviStim Wearable DC Stimulator
Prizm Medical has introduced the ReviStim DC Stimulator, which is described as the world’s first wearable DC stimulation device. The unit’s copyrighted software delivers DC electrotherapeutic energy uniformly over the entire treatment area through hydrogel stick-on electrodes or Prizm’s proprietary Sigma garment electrodes. Continue reading
March 2019
Orthotic Strap Kits
JMS Plastics Supply has introduced orthotic straps as a new market offering. The exclusive straps are made from reinforced PVC that is welded together with high frequency to make them strong and durable. The straps feature hook-and-loop closures and are available in kits or sold individually. Continue reading
March 2019
Icebreaker Hike Light Crew
Suitable for adventure and hiking, Icebreaker’s men’s Hike Light Crew sock is designed to be an ideal sock for year-round comfort on the trail. The sock has double up cushioning for comfort. It is made from breathable, temperature-regulating merino wool (60%); nylon (37%) for durability; and Lycra (3%). Continue reading
March 2019
Piedro Pediatric Orthopedic Footwear
Cascade Orthopedic Supply has expanded its product line with the addition of Piedro Pediatric Orthopedic Footwear. The new line of footwear features a wider and deeper toe box to ensure a precision fit with orthotic devices. The double stitching and high abrasion-resistant toe cap provide increased durability for children. Continue reading
March 2019
The X Brace Added to Medi-Dyne Pain Relief Solutions
Medi-Dyne Healthcare Products has acquired The X Brace. Developed by Joshua P. Eldridge, DC, DACBSP, for relief of heel pain due to plantar fasciitis and Sever’s disease, The X Brace is an easy-to-use foot and heel support product. It provides a comfortable, low-profile, pain-relieving solution for previously hard-to-treat circumstances, such as… Continue reading
March 2019
Benefits of a Foot Orthosis During a Step-descent Task on Kinematics, Kinetics, and Activation of Muscle
Foot orthoses are considered to work by controlling internal rotation of the tibia and eversion of the calcaneus, and have been reported to be effective during weightbearing activities such as walking and running. As a result, they have been shown to be effective in managing a range of musculoskeletal conditions—not the least of which is patellofemoral pain.
By Sarah Curran, PhD, FCPodMed Continue reading
March 2019
Concurrent Changes in Eccentric Hamstring Strength and Knee-joint Kinematics
Hamstring strain incidence in soccer increases during the latter stages of match-play, consistent with experimental studies that report reduced eccentric hamstring strength during soccer-specific fatigue. The biarticular function of the hamstring is such that fatigue-induced changes in strength are also likely to have an impact on…
By Matt Greig, MPhil, PhD Continue reading
March 2019
Delayed Charcot Diagnosis Increases Costs, Hospital Days, Amputations
Early recognition and treatment of Charcot neuroarthropathy has been long considered paramount to optimizing clinical outcomes and delivering high-quality care. Without this rapid response to control the devastating effects of Charcot, patients are left with significant deformities; increased risk of ulcers, infection, and…
By Jonathan M. Labovitz, DPM, FACFAS, CHCQM Continue reading
March 2019
AFOs for Stroke: Early Use Does Not Limit Long-Term Benefit
Stroke often impairs walking, particularly by altering foot clearance during the swing phase. Activity of the tibialis anterior (TA) plays an important role in foot clearance; clinicians often prescribe an ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) for post-stroke patients to help with foot clearance. Continue reading
March 2019
Bone Stimulation Represents New Frontier for Optimizing Patient Outcomes
Limited research into electromagnetic and ultrasound bone stimulation devices complicates efforts to determine efficacy. For the majority of people, lower-limb fractures and fractures in other parts of the body heal well and reliably. However, some people experience complications that may cause significant harm.
By Nicole Wetsman Continue reading
March 2019
A REVIEW FOR LOWER-EXTREMITY SPECIALISTS: Mitigating the Opioid Crisis with Pain Management Regimens in a Multimodal Approach
For help limiting the number of opioid tablets you prescribe—and to still treat postop pain successfully—turn to practice guidelines, evidence from the literature about local and regional anesthesia techniques, and constraints of the law.
By Robert G. Smith, DPM, MSc, RPh, CPed, CPRS Continue reading
March 2019
Tape Use to Prevent Blisters: Does It Really Do What We Think It Does?
Taping is a mainstay of preventive foot blister management in athletes and active people. Its use is based on the premise that rubbing causes blisters, and that tape protects the skin from this rubbing and/or provides thermal insulation from the heat generated by rubbing.
By Rebecca Rushton, Bsc(Pod) Continue reading
March 2019
The Therapeutic Power of Elastic Bands
Here’s why resistance therapy with these low-tech tools is gaining prominence—for youth soccer players, geriatric patients, and everyone in between. Elastic resistance bands are increasingly popular in physical therapy as the modality is being used to treat a wide number of lower-extremity problems on a diverse patient population that covers everyone from youth sports players to seniors.
By Keith Loria Continue reading
March 2019
We Are The Heart of National Biomechanics Day
The International and American Societies of Biomechanics were founded in 1973 and 1977, respectively. Coincident with the expansion of Biomechanics during the following decades, fitness and health have moved out from under the realm of medicine and are rapidly overtaking the realm of the personal—the personal lifestyle to be more exact (think yoga, yogurt, and yoga pants).
By Paul DeVita, PhD Continue reading
March 2019
How Mountain Biking Is Reshaping the Landscape of Cycling Injury
Differences in equipment, terrain, riding style, and other risk factors mean different types and prevalence of injuries when riding a mountain bike, compared to a road bike. Be prepared to see those differences in your practice. Over the past several decades, mountain biking has become remarkably popular as a competitive and recreational activity.
By Michael Reeder, Do, And Brent Alumbaugh, MS Continue reading
April 2019
Step out on the Open Road
The Open Road from Samuel Hubbard is sleek, supple, stylish, and unapologetically comfortable. With a performance hiker tread design in natural rubber, the shoes are springy, soft, and insanely light. Walk the dog, walk to work, walk for your health, walk for a cause. Continue reading
