Lower Extremity Review
When it comes to diabetic foot ulcers, primary healing is only half the battle. Staggeringly high recurrence rates underscore the need for lower extremity practitioners to continue preventive measures long after the coast appears to be clear.
By Cary Groner
Flip-flops might seem to fall under the umbrella of minimalist footwear. But research suggests that walking in flip-flops is far from normal, and that only more structured models can approximate the elusive barefoot-like gait.
By Justin F. Shroyer, PhD, CSCS, NSCA-CPT, and Wendi H. Weimar PhD
It’s not uncommon to encounter undiagnosed PAD in patients who have come in for a seemingly unrelated complaint. Understanding the risk factors, diagnostic techniques and treatment options is key.
By Steven Miller, DPM
A recent study sheds new light on the underlying mechanisms of patellar taping, helps explain some previous contradictory findings, and provides strong evidence for patient specific treatments.
By Frances T. Sheehan, PhD
Both the traditional adjustable night splint and a dorsal night splint improved plantar fasciitis pain outcome scores in a retrospective study, with results trending in favor of the dorsal design.
By Selene G. Parekh, MD, MBA, Olubusola A. Brimmo, MD, Ryan May, BS, and Bret C. Peterson, MD.
Research suggests that training protocols can reduce the risk of anterior cruciate ligament tear, but epidemiological evidence suggests that in the real world, training doesn’t work as well as it should.
By Barbara Boughton
The current approach to gait retraining after incomplete spinal cord injury emphasizes restoration of normal walking patterns rather than compensation, which is changing perceptions about AFOs.
By Preeti M Nair, PT, PhD, and Andrea L Behrman, PT, PhD
The medical literature provides a range of evidence on which to base treatment decisions, but the practitioner must interpret and evaluate that evidence in the context of his or her clinical expertise.
By Cordell Atkins, PT, DPT, CWS, CDE, CPed
We published 12 information-packed issues,and readers responded— on our website and through our social media outlets. These are just a few of the highlights.
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Assessing device alignment is a key aspect of prosthetic practice, but when it comes to lower extremity orthotics the process is less common. That’s changing, however, as researchers begin to document the effects of alignment on gait biomechanics.
by Cary Groner
Obesity not only increases the risk of knee osteoarthritis but also makes it more difficult to treat, as typical exercise recommendations often are simply not practical. Gait researchers, however, are working to identify new potential therapeutic approaches.
by Elizabeth M. Russell, MS, and Joseph Hamill, PhD
The practitioner’s objective in treating flexible flatfoot is to realign the foot and eliminate pain. Multiple nonsurgical therapeutic options are available, but if those are unsuccessful, surgical interventions can be effective.
by Neal M. Blitz, DPM, FACFAS, and Pawel Hanulewicz, MD
Research has elucidated new information about the disease processes that contribute to Achilles tendinopathy and the relative effectiveness of therapies such as heavy-load eccentric exercise and injections of corticosteroids, dextrose, and other solutions.
by Michael Ryan PhD, CPed(C)
The importance of glycemic control in patients with diabetes is well known. But neurological studies suggest that dyslipidemia is actually a more significant contributor to the development of peripheral neuropathy in the same patient population.
by Andrea M. Vincent, PhD, Lucy M. Hinder, PhD, and Eva L. Feldman, MD, PhD
Top opinion leaders and researchers from across the globe came together in May for the International Society of Prosthetics & Orthotics (ISPO) meeting in Leipzig, Germany, and the International Federation of Podiatrists (FIP) meeting in Amsterdam. This special report covers a range of topics from both events, specifically selected for their relevance to the lower extremity practitioner. By Jordana Bieze Foster
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