Category Archives: Feature Article
February 2022
lerEXPO Conversations: Experts Offer Advice on Knee Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee is a progressive disease caused by a breakdown of joint cartilage and ultimately, the underlying bone. The cartilage of a joint can become thin, cracked, and frayed, allowing the bones of the knee to rub together, which can lead to pain, inflammation, and stiffness.
By Keith Loria and Janice T. Radak Continue reading
February 2022
Guideline Update: AAN Updates Guideline for Oral/Topical Treatment of Painful Diabetic Neuropathy
The American Academy of Neurology (AAN) has updated its guideline on oral and topical treatments for painful diabetic neuropathy (PDN). The revised guideline, which was published in the journal Neurology and updates the 2011 AAN guideline, has been endorsed by the American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine. Continue reading
January 2022
lerEXPO.com Conversations: Orthotic Treatments Then and Now
The development of foot orthotics—both their prescription designs and their manufacturing processes—is continuously evolving as new materials and new manufacturing technologies arise to meet the changing demands of today’s medical and sport performance needs.
By Keith Loria Continue reading
January 2022
The Role of Collagen Dressings in Wound Management
Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body. It acts as a support structure, giving the skin strength and elasticity. Collagen also plays an essential role in wound healing. During the proliferative phase, fibroblasts migrate into wounded tissues and lay down new…
By Windy Cole, DPM, CWSP Continue reading
January 2022
The Habits of Successful Weight Losers
Obesity is among today’s most pressing public health concerns and it’s negative impact on the human body—particularly in light of SARS-COV-2 infection, can be devastating. Once gained, losing weight can be difficult, but maintaining weight loss is even more difficult. This author provides evidence-based tips for maintaining lost pounds that you can share with patients and clients.
By Jason R. Karp, PhD Continue reading
January 2022
Foot Orthoses Do Not Change Soft Tissue Morphology, Skin Sensitivity
Some have worried that foot orthoses that shift plantar load may alter the mechanical work of internal structures and change the size of muscle and connective tissues, and actually make them smaller. These authors challenge that notion.
By Joanna Reeves, Richard Jones, Anmin Liu, Leah Bent, Ana Martinez-Santos, and Christopher Nester Continue reading
May 2022
Edema and Ulcerations: The Effects of Venous Insufficiency
Millions of Americans are afflicted with painful, open, draining ulcers on their lower extremities. Venous leg ulcers (VLUs) cause significant clinical and economic burden to the healthcare system and society.1,2 It is not uncommon for clinicians to see patients who have suffered for years with VLUs.
By Windy Cole, DPM, CWSP Continue reading
May 2022
Are Vegetarian Diets Adequate to Support Wound Healing?
Protein plays a critical role in wound healing by supplying nitrogen and amino acids, which are needed to build new tissue. Nutritional interventions for wound healing often include a recommendation to increase the amount of protein consumed…
By Nancy Collins, PhD, RDN, LD, NWCC, FAND Continue reading
May 2022
Lifestyle and Integrative Medicine Strategies for Managing Knee Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a slowly evolving articular disease that affects the underlying bone, soft tissue, and synovial fluid.1 Osteoarthritis typically affects the hands and large weight-bearing joints, such as the hips and knees.
By Ziya “Z” Altug, PT, DPT, MS, OCS Continue reading
April 2022
Hamstring Strain Injury Rehabilitation–Part II*
Impaired performance and reinjury rates are high for this common injury. This narrative review discusses the causes and mechanisms of hamstring strain injury and current clinical concepts related to the rehabilitation process, with the aim of helping practitioners improve athletes’ outcomes.
By Jack T. Hickey, PhD, AEP; David A. Opar, PhD; Leigh J. Weiss, DPT, PT, ATC; and Bryan C. Heiderscheit, PhD, PT Continue reading
April 2022
Recovery and Regeneration Strategies for Foot Performance Part 3
In the first article of this series, I introduced the concepts of recovery and regeneration as well as terminological and methodological differences; in the second article, I discussed the main aspects related to the 3 levels of foot recovery (Functional, Structural, and Sensory).
By Antonio Robustelli, MSc, CSCS Continue reading
April 2022
Clinical Perspective On Sitting: How to Improve Sitting Posture of Individuals with Disabilities and Others
It is well understood that the feet are the foundation of the body when standing. But even in a seated position, the feet play a foundational role in the body’s support, balance, and posture. Think about what a chair does: Galen Cranz, PhD, an architect and Alexander Technique (a system of body-mind postural education) practitioner…
By Dalia Zwick, PT, PhD Continue reading
April 2022
The Future of Bike Fit (Part 2) – Interview of the Bike Fit Machine Manufacturers and Bike Fit Education Content Creators
In the September 2021 issue of Lower Extremity Review, Happy Freedman wrote an article titled “The Future of Bike Fit,” in which several bike fitters were asked their opinions about the future of bike fitting. But what about the opinions of the bike fitting machine manufacturers and the bike fitting educational course creators?
By Rick Schultz, DBA Continue reading
March 2022
Hamstring Strain Injury Rehabilitation–Part I*
Impaired performance and reinjury rates are high for this common injury. This narrative review discusses the causes and mechanisms of hamstring strain injury and current clinical concepts related to the rehabilitation process, with the aim of helping practitioners improve athletes’ outcomes.
By Jack T. Hickey, PhD, AEP; David A. Opar, PhD; Leigh J. Weiss, DPT, PT, ATC; and Bryan C. Heiderscheit, PhD, PT Continue reading
March 2022
Atypical Wounds: What Every Clinician Should Know
The prevalence of atypical wounds has not been studied extensively, but it has been estimated that 20% of all chronic wounds are due to unusual causes.1,2 The ability to identify and treat chronic wounds caused by uncommon etiologies is an important skill. Unfortunately, it can take years of clinical experience to master.
By Windy Cole, DPM, CWSP Continue reading
March 2022
Pharmacological Agent Appears Promising for Charcot–Marie–Tooth Type 1A
Charcot–Marie–Tooth (CMT) disease is a group of rare, hereditary, chronic, and debilitating diseases of the peripheral nerves that result first in weakening and atrophy of the foot and leg muscles as well as the hand and arm muscles, then in distal sensory loss and, in some patients…
By Shahram Attarian, Peter Young, Thomas H. Brannagan, and Colleagues Continue reading
February 2022
Introduction to Wound Research
Wound healing as a clinical specialty has evolved over the past 2 decades. The importance of wound care research in this emerging area of medicine cannot be overstated. Wound care research must continue to be conducted to facilitate the development of effective treatment protocols for…
By Windy Cole, DPM, CWSP Continue reading
February 2022
Parkinson’s Exercise Recommendations
Parkinson’s is a progressive disease of the nervous system marked by tremor, stiffness, slow movement and balance problems. Exercise and physical activity can improve many motor and non-motor Parkinson’s symptoms. Continue reading
November 2021
Submaximal Force Steadiness and Accuracy in Patients With Chronic Ankle Instability
Lateral ankle sprains (LASs) often result in damage to the lateral ligaments of the ankle, reducing both static and dynamic ankle stability and resulting in a continuum of disability.
By Hyunwook Lee, MS, LAT, ATC*; S. Jun Son, PhD, ATC†; Hyunsoo Kim, PhD, ATC‡; Seunguk Han, MS, ATC*; Matthew Seeley, PhD, ATC*; and J. Ty Hopkins, PhD, ATC* Continue reading
November 2021
lerEXPO.com Conversations: Wound Care Technology Expert Panel
Wound care is a growing public health burden with new clinical products emerging seemingly daily. But how to know which products are useful for which patients and how to access such information can be a challenge for busy clinicians. lerEXPO recently hosted a wound care technology expert panel sponsored by vTail. Continue reading
November 2021
The Importance of Obtaining Wound Photographs
A picture is worth a thousand words – how many times have you heard that old adage? There is no bigger truth in wound care documentation. Wound photos serve as a visual reference and act as a testimonial on wound progression in the medical record. Wound photos supplement the EMR and encourage accurate documentation of the wound healing trajectory.
By Windy Cole, DPM, CWSP Continue reading
October 2021
Talocrural Joint Laxity and Range-of-Motion Following an Acute Lateral Ankle Sprain
The many articulations of the human ankle joint can be easily disrupted by “a mere sprain.” This research examines 2 specific deficits and their impact in the 6 months after an initial sprain.
By Bethany A. Wisthoff, PhD, ATC; Carrie L. Docherty, PhD, ATC, FNATA; Joseph J. Glutting, PhD; Geoffrey P. Gustavsen, MD; Todd D. Royer, PhD; Charles B. Swanik, PhD; and Thomas W. Kaminski, PhD, ATC, FNATA, FACSM Continue reading
October 2021
Are Static and Dynamic Postural Balance Assessments Two Sides of the Same Coin? A Cross-Sectional Study in the Older Adults
These authors investigate the impact of static and dynamic postural balance assessments and the effects of a cognitive-interference task on balance control performance in older adults. Postural balance control has been defined as the ability of a subject to maintain the center of pressure (CoP) within the…
By Alex Rizzato, Antonio Paoli, Marta Andretta, Francesca Vidorin, and Giuseppe Marcolin Continue reading
October 2021
Wound Care Update: The Importance of Antimicrobial Stewardship in Wound Care
Despite advances in wound dressings and best practices, hard-to-heal wounds still remain. Increases in the number of chronic wounds have led to greater antibiotic usage, more hospitalizations, and increased amputations.1 It is therefore necessary to understand the continuum of wound contamination and effectively address…
By Windy Cole, DPM, CWSP, FAPWH Continue reading
October 2021
Sleep Series Part III: Strategies to Improve Sleep Hygiene • The Importance of Sleep for the Student Athlete
These authors summarize the critical take-home points from sleep-related research in 2 key areas: strategies for everyday and those relevant for student athletes—both delivered as easy-to understand infographics.
By Jeremy R. Hawkins, PhD, LAT, ATC; Michael Reeder, DO; and Alli Powell, DAT, LAT, ATC Continue reading
