Lower Extremity Review
A customized CAD-CAM system can streamline each step of creating custom foot orthoses. Experts say proper preparation is the key to managing this technology’s workflow. Philip Wells, BSc (Hons) Podiatry, technical support manager for Stepahead and Salts Techstep in Birmingham, UK, emphasized the way in which creating a more efficient workflow improves profitability for a practice.
By Stephanie Zultanky Pavlou
Pressure measurement technology can differentiate between the impact forces of a stability shoe and a flexible shoe during gait, according to a preliminary study presented in August at the annual meeting of the American Society of Biomechanics in Long Beach, CA.
By Katie Bell
The medical literature supports the use of orthotic devices in patients with posterior tibial tendon dysfunction, especially those in the early stages. Demonstrated benefits include improvements in foot and ankle alignment, clinical symptoms, and functional outcomes.
By Holly Olszewski, CPO
Despite the expense associated with advanced wound care technologies, evidence suggests that switching from standard care makes both clinical and economic sense if a diabetic foot ulcer has not experienced a 50 percent reduction in wound area after four weeks.
By Emily Delzell
Some studies support the effectiveness of physical therapy for reducing pain and improving function in patients with hip osteoarthritis, but evidence on the topic is limited and contradictory—suggesting that perhaps PT is most effective in a specific subgroup of patients.
By Alexis A. Wright, PT, PhD, DPT, and Garrett S. Naze, PT, DPT
This two-part series explores the role of rotational forces in athletic injuries and the extent to which bracing can help control those forces and, in turn, prevent those injuries. This second installment examines rotation as a contributor to anterior cruciate ligament injury.
By Cary Groner
Wrong-site surgery can have significant financial and professional consequences, which is why surgeons’ organizations are promoting protocols specifically designed to reduce such errors. A recent survey of foot and ankle surgeons suggests those efforts are paying off.
By Donald E. Fowler III, MD; Karl M. Schweitzer Jr, MD; Olubusola Brimmo, MD; Ryan May, BS; and Selene G. Parekh, MD, MBA
Research suggests that individuals with chronic ankle instability use different movement strategies to maintain postural control than individuals with healthy ankles. These changes may be related to alterations in movement variability associated with ankle instability.
By Lisa Chinn, MS, ATC, and C. Collin Herb, MEd, ATC
Superficial thrombophlebitis (STP) is a common and controversial condition largely overshadowed by its big brother, deep vein thrombosis (DVT).1 Frequent reports of concomitant STP and DVT, with or without pulmonary embolus, align the two pathophysiologies closely.
By Marlin W. Schul, MD, MBA, RVT
This two-part series explores the role of rotational forces in athletic injuries and the extent to which bracing can help control those forces and, in turn, prevent those injuries. This first installment examines ankle sprains, PTTD, patellofemoral pain, and osteoarthritis.
By Cary Groner
Published studies on pes cavus are in short supply, making evidence-based orthotic management a challenge. This author proposes a theory of pes cavus etiology based on muscle imbalances and reactions, which may support the concept of early orthotic intervention.
By Paul R. Scherer, DPM
Two years after their inaugural event, experts on patellofemoral pain syndrome congregated in Belgium to once again dissect and analyze the latest research on the mechanisms underlying PFP and the effectiveness of such interventions as bracing, foot orthoses, and exercise.
By Cary Groner
The evidence documenting the role of nutrition in improving wound healing and neuropathy symptoms hasn’t been widely publicized, particularly among lower extremity healthcare practitioners. But getting that information to your diabetic patients could help save their feet.
By Larry Hand
Some of us remember the days when there was virtually no need for marketing healthcare practices. All that was required was hard work, well-developed skills, and a shingle out front. Word of mouth was the primary method for growing practices, and any overt messaging was considered unethical. In fact, there were regulations specifically preventing physicians from advertising themselves. It was a simpler time with far less competition for patients and referrals.
By Jason Kraus
At the Palo Alto Foundation Medical Group, rehabilitation following operative repair of Achilles tendon ruptures is based on three key evidence-based criteria for return to activity and selective use of an anti-gravity treadmill to accelerate that return.
By Amol Saxena, DPM, FACFAS
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.