Category Archives: Feature Article
January 2021
Sleep Series Part I: Basics of Sleep and Its Role with Injury
Sleep – that magical state where our bodies recuperate, our minds rejuvenate, and we are free of the everyday stresses of the world – is a necessary physiological process that all humans require. This article is the first of a series that will explore the need for sleep and its many restorative benefits.
By Jeremy R. Hawkins, PhD, LAT, ATC; Michael Reeder, DO; and Alli Powell, DAT, LAT, ATC Continue reading
January 2021
Wound Care Update: A Case of a Misdiagnosed Neoplastic Wound of The Foot
Neoplasm should be high on the differential diagnosis list when evaluating patients with chronic, non-healing wounds. Over the past 40 years, skin cancer incidence has been on the rise, growing on average 4-8% annually.1 Due to this increasing commonality of skin cancers, wound care providers are likely to frequently encounter these malignancies over the course of their clinical practice.
By Windy Cole, DPM, CWSP Continue reading
January 2021
Patient Guidance: Stay Active to Reduce the Risk of Falling: 5 Exercises to Keep You Fit
As people age, the risk of falling increases and so does the fear of having a fall-related accident. Indeed, some estimate that more than one-third of adults over age 65 fall every year. Part of that fear prevents many from engaging in physical activities. Rather than avoiding an active lifestyle, there are strategic, smart ways to stay active while decreasing the chance of falling.
By Detric Smith Continue reading
January 2021
Patient Guidance: One Thing You Can Do to Ski Better
Many would argue that the key to great skiing is understanding how to properly apply pressure to the edge of your skis. Since your feet are connected to those skis, this task falls to them. Ski boots have the critical job of communicating your thoughts to your skis, keeping your feet warm and comfortable, and helping you perform better on the slopes.
By Mark Paigen Continue reading
November 2020
Postcards From Main Street: Missives From the 3D Front Lines
3D printing has been making countless inroads into everyday work routines. Here, O&P professionals share their use of the technology. As this month’s cover conveys, three-dimensional (3D) printing has created breakthrough opportunities across the spectrum of lower extremity challenges.
By Janice T. Radak and Friends Continue reading
November 2020
LER Pediatrics: Can’t Vs Doesn’t Understand: Coaching Toward Cognitive Abilities
Clinicians deal with clients and patients with a range of abilities. This author provides expert guidance on meeting patients and clients where they are to succeed in communicating.
By Eric Chessen, M.S. Continue reading
November 2020
Patient Guidance: Three Easy Steps to Eliminating Heel Pain Without Visiting a Doctor
By far, the most common cause of heel pain is a condition called plantar fasciitis. This condition is an injury to a ligament on the bottom of the foot called the plantar fascia. This ligament runs the length of the foot from the heel bone to the base of the toes.
By Paul J Betschart, DPM, FACFAS Continue reading
October 2020
Wound Care Update: Can Bioabsorbable Borate-based Glass Fibers Support Wound Healing?
With increasing demand for biomaterials that have the ability to support wound healing, tissue engineers have been challenged to develop innovative bioactive scaffold materials. In general, bioactive materials have the mechanical properties of the tissue to be replaced while supporting biological activities such as cellular adhesion, proliferation, differentiation, and angiogenesis.
By Windy Cole, DPM, CWSP Continue reading
October 2020
Pain Reduction Methods for Peripheral Neuropathy
As obesity and type 2 diabetes continue to be growing public health burdens, clinicians will be faced with increasing numbers of patients who suffer from their complications, in particular, peripheral neuropathy. These authors review the multiple medications available to help. A 2015 report published in the Journal of Pain, found that…
By Shana Shetty, DPM PGY3, and Marshall G. Solomon, DPM FACPM, FACFAS Continue reading
September 2020
Expert Opinion: Quantification of Arch Height in a Foot Orthotic: Defining A Standardized Methodology
Science and quantification are long overdue in the orthotic work that we do on a daily basis. The process of capturing the anatomical arch, creating a positive model, and managing arch fill has been solely a decision of those trained in the art.
By Ian Engelman Continue reading
September 2020
Overlooked Arch In The Foot Is Key To Its Evolution And Function
A long-overlooked part of the human foot is key to how the foot works, how it evolved, and how we walk and run, according to a Yale-led team of researchers. The discovery upends nearly a century of conventional thinking about the human foot and could open new avenues to explore in evolutionary biology as well as guide new designs for robotic and prosthetic feet, said the study team.
By William Weir Continue reading
September 2020
An Update on Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD): Part II
This 2-part series examines the current state of peripheral artery disease. Part 1, which appeared in the August issue, focused on disease burden, risk factors, and clinical presentation. This article reviews diagnostic tools and current management recommendations.
By Aisha Cobbs, PhD Continue reading
August 2020
Evaluation and Treatment of Osteosarcopenia in Older Adults
Bone loss (osteopenia/osteoporosis) and loss of muscle mass and function (sarcopenia) are two of the most prevalent chronic conditions among aging adults. However, the mention of osteosarcopenia might garner a few puzzled looks. This relatively new term describes a geriatric syndrome in which osteopenia/osteoporosis and sarcopenia overlap in the same individual.
By Aisha Cobbs, PhD Continue reading
August 2020
Office-Based Advanced Wound Care Therapy
As diabetic foot ulcers plague more patients, wound care management—including a host of new technologies—are driving an increase in office visits. Diabetes mellitus is the leading cause for nontraumatic amputation. Since 1980, the number of people with diabetes around the world has nearly quadrupled, from 108 million to nearly 422 million in 2014—and it continues to rise.
By Michael Flores, DPM, and Marshall G. Solomon, DPM, FACPM, FACFAS, FFPM RCPS (qlas) Continue reading
August 2020
Bike Fitting as a Diagnostic Tool
Like a good medical exam, a medical bike fit starts before the patient ever gets on the bike. Talking with cycling patients before any assessments can facilitate the diagnostic process. Bike fitting is a service that has been offered in bike shops and studios for decades. Bike fitting is also a medical service offered by physicians, physical therapists, chiropractors, and other qualified health care providers.
By Andrea Myers, PT, DPT Continue reading
July 2020
Young Children Can Benefit From Articulating Knee Prosthesis
Children using new flexible knee prosthetic, which costs the same as the traditional stiff prosthetic, do not show adaptations in gait kinematics. A new study shows that young children with limb loss will use and benefit from prosthetic knee flexion and extension, if it is available to them. The study counters the current standard of care that uses a…
By Dave Shelles Continue reading
July 2020
Wound Care Update Theragnostic Imaging: Beyond Standard Photographs
Implementation of these new, highly sophisticated devices can help prevent, diagnose, treat, and monitor wound progress. As a medical director in a wound care clinic and the director of wound research for a podiatric medical school, I’ve seen a lot wound imaging in my time. Recently, I have seen some new and exciting imaging innovations enter the wound care space that…
By Windy Cole, DPM Continue reading
July 2020
A Review of Nonsurgical Treatment of Hypertrophic Scars
Managing patients with hypertrophic scars can be challenging, with a variety of conservative treatment options suggested in the medical literature. This review summarizes conservative treatment options for hypertrophic scars, focusing on the mechanisms of action, risks, complications, and efficacy of various options.
By Laura-Ashley O’Connell, DPM; Adrienne Estes, DPM, MS, AACFAS, FAPWHc; and David Shofler, DPM, MSHS Continue reading
June 2020
Peroneal Tendonitis: Workup and Nonsurgical Treatment
More than “just a sprain,” accurately diagnosing peroneal tendonitis in a timely manner helps patients recover faster and avoid long-term sequelae from this painful condition. Peroneal tendon disorders have traditionally been considered a rare source of ankle symptoms.
By Kevin Haag, DPM, PGY-3, and Marshall Solomon, DPM Continue reading
June 2020
A Multifactorial Perspective on Lower-Extremity Amputee Rehabilitation
Limb loss alters pain, touch, and proprioception in countless ways that are not yet fully understood. Understanding how to more realistically evaluate the efficacy of both proactive and reactive interventions meant to address these alterations will improve outcomes and quality of life for those living with lower-extremity amputation.
By Austin Davids, MSOP, CPO, and Jeffrey Yau, PhD Continue reading
June 2020
Recovery and Regeneration Strategies for Foot Performance: Part I
These 2 complex processes are necessary components of quality training programs for athletes at all levels. This article, which covers fundamentals, is the first in a 2-part series. Taking care of the recovery and regeneration of the foot is an integral part of a well-rounded approach to high performance development.
By Antonio Robustelli, MSc CSCS Continue reading
June 2020
Using Functional Movement Assessments to Prevent Lower Extremity Injuries
It seems like every time sports analysts talk about the most recent game—whether it’s football, basketball, baseball, college, or professional—they’re discussing another athlete’s season-ending injury. While the spectrum for the severity of injuries varies, athletes—individuals who we…
By Sami Ahmed, DPT, CES, SFMA, CMTPT Continue reading
May 2020
Bike Fit Unplugged
This Bike Fit specialist explains his process for fitting the cyclist, not the bike, to address the individual needs of the rider. He provided commentary to LER Editor Janice T. Radak for the photographs taken at a recent bike fitting clinic and displayed in this story. Bike Fit Unplugged is the technique I developed…
By Happy Freedman Continue reading
May 2020
Wound Care Update: The Role of Topical Oxygen Therapy in the Treatment of Wounds
When you think back to your early studies in General Biology you may recall memorizing the steps of the Krebs Cycle. It is through this process of aerobic respiration that most living things generate energy. In aerobic organisms, cells utilize oxygen (O2) as a final electron acceptor to synthesize high-energy…
By Windy Cole, DPM Continue reading
May 2020
CRITICAL ANALYSIS: Prefab or Custom: Which Foot Orthosis Is Better for Plantar Heel Pain?
Recent analysis of the podiatric literature concludes that custom foot orthoses aren’t superior to prefab inserts—an account one expert rejects. It’s a matter of who does the custom work, he says.
By Stanley Beekman, DPM Continue reading
