Lower Extremity Review
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
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
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)
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
At the time of this writing, we as lower extremity providers are in the midst of a COVID-19 pandemic. Per the World Health Organization (WHO), there is no current evidence to recommend any specific anti-COVID-19 supportive or antiviral treatment for patients with confirmed COVID-19.
By Robert G. Smith, DPM, MSc, RPh
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