Lower Extremity Review
Research suggests that when trying on athletic shoes in a retail store, an individual’s perceptions of shoe mass primarily come from handling the shoes and less (if at all) from test-wearing them. In addition, the foot’s perception of shoe mass does not appear to improve with practice.
By Joel G. Greenya, BS, Stephen J. Slade, BS, Christopher L. Kliethermes, PhD, and David S. Senchina, PhD
US Olympic Committee researchers have found that peristaltic pulse compression of the lower extremities may provide a means of enhancing the rheological properties of the lower extremities without resorting to extreme temperatures, expensive body work, or stretching.
By William A Sands, PhD, FACSM, CSCS
Efficient, low-cost, field-ready functional movement tests may be useful in preparticipation physicals to identify and provide preventive treatment for individuals with an elevated risk of injury, as well as aiding return-to-sport…
By Kathryn Schwartzkopf-Phifer, PT, DPT, OCS, CSCS, and Kyle Kiesel, PT, PhD, ATC
A growing body of research suggests that statins may help improve not just cardiovascular outcomes but also those associated with lower extremity conditions such as peripheral arterial disease and knee…
By Larry Hand
Conventional wisdom says dorsal straps for ankle foot orthoses should be positioned at a certain angle to resist heel rise. Now preliminary research from Georgia Tech is calling that practice into question…
By P.K. Daniel
Research has identified ankle-brachial index, loss of sensation, and deformity as predictors of foot ulceration in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, and also suggests that ulceration influences…
By Jill Firth, PhD, BSc (Hons), and Heidi J Siddle, PhD, MSc, BSc (Hons)
In 2008 I walked the 500-mile Camino de Santiago, the medieval pilgrimage route through northern Spain leading to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. It was my first long distance walk, and because I completed it without injury, pain, or a blister, I fancied myself a walking superhero, immune to suffering or discomfort.
By Laura Potts
Baseball players at all skill levels routinely suffer from foot and ankle injuries, with position players being afflicted more often than pitchers or catchers. Making the correct initial diagnosis without delay can lead to more rapid and effective treatment, rehabilitation, and return to play.
By Gabriel V. Gambardella, DPM, Jeffrey Delott, DPM, and Zachary J. Korwek
When commercially available active video games are used in rehabilitation settings, often the level of challenge does not match the patient’s ability level. Customized interventions can address these limitations while capitalizing on the fun and motivating aspects of the technology.
By Rachel Proffitt, OTD, OTR/L
In both the short term and the long term, anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction produced greater quality of life improvements at a lower cost compared with rehabilitation only, suggesting that limiting access to ACL reconstruction may be harmful to patients and costly to society.
By Richard C. Mather III, MD, and Lane Koenig, PhD
Clinicians and researchers are increasingly utilizing exercise protocols focused on improving proprioception, range of motion, and strength to influence the more active and functional deficits that have been associated with chronic ankle instability in the literature.
By Mark A. Feger, MEd, ATC, and Jay Hertel, PhD, ATC
A lack of oxygen can negatively affect wound healing in a number of ways, but surgical, pharmacological, and other technological advances are allowing clinicians to enhance oxygen delivery to damaged tissues and…
By Nanjin Park, DPM; Latricia Allen, DPM, MPH; Mary Nametka, MSN, RN, CWS, CWON, FNP-BC; Vickie R. Driver, MS, DPM, FACFAS
Research on the use of elastic therapeutic tape in patients with chronic ankle instability is limited, but recent findings do suggest that leaving the elastic tape on for several days is associated with improvements in…
By Janet Simon, MS, ATC; Emily Hall, MS, ATC; and Carrie Docherty, PhD, ATC
Updated guidelines and new appropriate use criteria for nonoperative management of knee osteoarthritis aim to focus more directly on typical knee OA patients, who often have comorbidities that can complicate care and…
By Larry Hand
Patients often look to foot and ankle practitioners for advice about footwear choices. But a recent survey of physicians found that nearly half don’t educate their patients about footwear guidelines, and that only one in…
By Daniel Farber, MD
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