Lower Extremity Review
Given that existing therapies for intermittent claudication are not appropriate for all patients, researchers are working to develop new therapies focused on improving patients’ ability to compensate for a vascular occlusion by expanding collateral artery pathways.
By Steven J. Miller, PhD; A. George Akingba, MD, PhD; and Joseph L. Unthank, PhD
A number of amputees, many inspired by the expert care they received after losing a limb, have been motivated to pursue careers in prosthetics, where they can provide patients with a unique and personal perspective. Four of these practitioners shared their stories with.
By P.K. Daniel
Multiple studies indicate that poor movement, as assessed using the Functional Movement Screen, and past history of injury are risk factors for future injury, and a recent investigation suggests that risk is…
By MAJ Michael Garrison, PT, DSc, OCS, SCS; and MAJ Richard Westrick, PT, DSc, OCS, SCS
Kinematic and kinetic alterations in the lower extremities that researchers have observed during the course of a prolonged run may provide clinically relevant insights into patellofemoral pain and other conditions associated with a gradual onset of symptoms during exercise.
By Lauren Benson, MS; and Kristian O’Connor, PhD
Along with technical issues related to muscle weakness, fatigue, and pain, the challenges of managing this heterogeneous population include patients’ emotional response to the idea of needing an orthotic device for a disability they thought they had overcome.
By Larry Hand
Preliminary research suggests platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a safe and effective means of treating hamstring injuries that do not respond to early conservative measures…
By Frank B. Wydra, MD; Ryan R. Fader, MD; Omer Mei-Dan, MD; and Eric C. McCarty, MD
The frontal and sagittal plane gait biomechanics associated with progression to total joint replacement in patients with knee osteoarthritis, particularly variables related to sustained loading, may be promising…
By Cheryl Hubley-Kozey, PhD, and Gillian Hatfield, PT, PhD
Study findings suggest that increased loading rates and tibial acceleration are associated with an increased risk of sustaining a tibial stress fracture. Interventions directed at reducing these impact…
By CPT Jamie B. Morris, DPT, OCS, CSCS, and LTC Donald L. Goss, PT, PhD, OCS, ATC
Given that older women are at increased risk for osteoporosis, an increased incidence of fifth metatarsal fractures with increasing age in women suggests that such injuries could serve as an early point of entry into osteoporosis treatment and fracture prevention.
By David Beck, MD, Justin Kane, MD, and David Pedowitz, MD
Research utilizing contrast-enhanced ultrasound suggests that, although cryotherapy effectively decreases the pain associated with exercise-related muscle damage, those symptomatic effects are not associated with decreased blood flow in the affected skeletal muscle.
By Noelle M. Selkow, PhD, ATC, and Susan A. Saliba, PhD, MPT, ATC
With evidence-based protocols in hand, practitioners can feel more comfortable clinically integrating surface electromyography (sEMG) assessment, creating more sophisticated sEMG treatment protocols, and demonstrating the effectiveness of interventions.
By Rachelle Bordlee, sDPT, and Christopher Kevin Wong, PT, PhD
Patellofemoral pain interventions have increasingly focused on running technique and training approaches—such as utilization of a forefoot strike pattern, a shortened step length, and manipulations to training pace—to reduce patellofemoral joint loading parameters.
By Collin D. Bowersock, BS, and John D. Willson, PT, PhD
In recent years, studies have elucidated aspects of the biomechanical effects of posterior tibial tendon dysfunction that may ultimately lead to improvements in treatment. But it isn’t always clear which factors contribute to PTTD and which
develop in response.
By Cary Groner
Many US football players have lower than adequate serum vitamin D levels, but questions remain about the potential benefits of proactive treatment with supplementation to address vitamin D deficiency and reduce the risk of fracture in this
patient population.
By Mark A. Duca, MD; Christina M. Mathyssek, PhD; Jeffrey W. Bost, PA-C; and Joseph C. Maroon, MD
Different factors influence outcomes after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in younger and older pediatric patients, but regardless of age, a delay to surgery is correlated with more severe additional injuries and the need for additional surgical procedures.
By Justin T. Newman, MD
Join
Stay in the loop with the latest news and updates! Subscribe now to receive exclusive content, special offers, and important announcements straight to your inbox. Don’t miss out – join our community today for all the latest updates delivered directly to you.