Feature Article | Lower Extremity Review Magazine

These authors searched PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane databases, and trials registries for all studies relating to offloading interventions in people with DFU to address 14 clinical question comparisons. Outcomes included ulcers healed, plantar pressure, weight-bearing activity, adherence, new lesions…

By P.A. Lazzarini, D.G. Armstrong, R.T. Crews, C. Gooday, G. Jarl, K. Kirketerp-Moller, V. Viswanathan, and S.A. Bus

Surgical Management of Chronic Achilles Tendon Rupture: Evidence‑based Guidelines

The Achilles tendon is the largest and strongest tendon in the human body, connecting the muscles of the gastrosoleus complex to the calcaneus. The Achilles tendon is important to maintain the standing posture, and during walking, running, and jumping.

By Shi-Ming Feng, Nicola Maffulli, Francesco Oliva, Amol Saxena, Yue-Feng Hao, Ying-Hui Hua, Hai-Lin Xu, Xu Tao, Wei Xu, Filippo Migliorini, and Chao Ma

Point of Care Diagnostic Ultrasound in the Evaluation of Patients with Patellar Tendinopathy

Point of care diagnostic ultrasound can be a useful tool for the evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, and risk identification of patellar tendinopathy. Measurements of the patellar tendon that may be useful include tendon thickness, stiffness, and biomarkers of tendon quality which can provide clinicians with a more …

By Sarah L. Woelfel, MA, LAT, ATC and Adam B. Rosen, PhD, ATC

Professional Bull Riding Is a Growing Sport

Move over pickleball! Professional bull riding is a growing sport across the United States and the world. Viewership of the events—topping 30 million at a time—increases weekly. The Professional Bull Riders (PBR, the leading association of riders) signed a 10-year broadcast deal in 2018 with CBS and another in 2023 with Spanish-language Univision.

Examining Effect of Tai Chi Lower Leg Exercise in Fall Prevention in Older Adults

Tai Chi is an evidence-based fall prevention training for older adults, yet its effective movements remain unclear. Practicing Tai Chi (TC)—exercise that consists of a series of slow movements performed in semi-squat positions with an emphasis on coordination of whole-body movement and mind—is an effective way to prevent falls in older adults.

By Min Mao, PhDc; Vicki S. Mercer, PT, PhD; Fuzhong Li, PhD; Michael T. Gross, PT, PhD, FAPTA; Troy Blackburn, PhD, ATC; and Bing Yu, PhD

Seeking the Optimal AFO Stiffness for Energy Cost Reduction

To maximize the AFO’s effect on walking energy cost reduction, the AFO’s bending stiffness needs to be individually optimized. The stiffness of a dorsal leaf ankle foot orthosis (AFO) that minimizes walking energy cost in people with plantarflexor weakness varies between individuals. Using predictive simulations, the authors of this article studied the…

By NFJ Waterval, MSC; MM van der Krogt, Dr; K Veerkamp, T Geijtenbeek, PhD; J Harlaar, Dr, IR; F Nollet, MD, PhD; and MA Brehm, PhD

Inventor’s CORNER: How I Built That

In the words of Plato, “Necessity is the mother of invention”. This is the story of the CastPack™, a novel and innovative cold therapy device designed to alleviate the suffering caused by the placement of casts. In 2020, like many middle-aged weekend warrior athletes, I jumped into a competitive pick-up game of basketball, without warming up or stretching.

By Joseph Hamad

Riding Mower Injuries Major Cause of Pediatric Limb Loss

Background: Riding lawn mower injuries are the most common cause of major limb loss in young U.S. children. Our study objective was to investigate the circumstances surrounding pediatric riding lawn mower injuries and to identify potential contributing risk factors and behaviors leading to these events.

By Charles A. Jennissen, Treyton D. Krupp, J. Priyanka Vakkalanka, and Pamela J. Hoogerwerf

Lawn Mower Injuries Costly Public Health Concern

A 2018 study from Johns Hopkins Surgery looking at 8 years of data found an average of 6,400 lawn mower injuries per year with an average cost of $37,000 per patient. In an unusually comprehensive analysis of nationwide data, researchers from Johns Hopkins Medicine concluded that the rate of lawn mower injuries persists at close to 6,400 a year, most of them…

Association of Knee and Hip OA with Fall Risk and Fractures

Patients with knee and hip OA frequently have pain, muscle weakness, impaired joint proprioception, and poor balance, which are important risk factors for falls. Falls and osteoarthritis (OA) are major public health problems. The incidence of falls and fractures increases with age, and knee OA and hip OA are also highly prevalent in older populations.

By Youyou Zhang, Xiaoxi Li, Yining Wang, Liru Ge, Faming Pan, Tania Winzenberg, and Guoqi Cai

Treadmill-related Lower Extremity Injuries Treated at United States Emergency Departments

Background: Treadmills are the most popular piece of exercise equipment, with millions of people in the United States (US) using the devices each year. Thousands of people are treated for treadmill-related injuries in the US annually. The objective of this study was to describe treadmill-related lower extremity injuries treated at US hospital emergency departments (EDs).

By Mathias B. Forrester, BS

Strategies to Treat DFUs Complicated by Edema

The management of DFUs complicated by the effects of lower limb edema is clinically challenging, and both conditions can require a multifaceted treatment approach. Lower limb edema is a common comorbidity in those with diabetes and foot ulceration and is linked with increased amputation risk.

By Justine Tansley, MRCPod; Richard Collings, PhD, DSc (Hons); Jennifer Williams, BSc (Hons); and Joanne Paton, PhD, MSc

Strengthening Program to Treat Plantar Heel Pain