Lower Extremity Review
New research underscores years of positive clinical results – When it comes to orthotic management of pediatric patients with hypotonia, the medical literature is only beginning to document the effectiveness that clinicians have been reporting anecdotally for years.
By Cary Groner
For this family, one tiny extra chromosome led to a journey of self discovery – When our son was born, we prayed for a healthy baby with 10 fingers and 10 toes. Our prayers were answered. Three years later, those same prayers were said for baby number two. And, once again, our prayers were answered.
By Suzi Klimek
Each child in this case series was assessed every other week for 16 weeks (12 weeks for one patient who moved out of state) to determine mastery of items 23, 26-28, 30-39, 41, 42, and 45 (ranging from “pull to stand” to “run”) on the Peabody Developmental Motor Scale. Test instructions were modified as needed for children to understand them …
By Megan Smith, CO
Tuning of ankle foot orthoses (AFOs) and AFO-footwear combinations can significantly improve gait in patients with neuromuscular impairments. Even so, some pa- tients still prefer their untuned devices, which has led researchers and clinicians to reexamine their approach to intervention.
By Cary Groner
Despite excellent subjective outcomes following Achilles tendon repair, significant plantar flexion and dorsiflexion strength deficits often persist. However, modern trends in postoperative rehabilitation represent a progression toward a more functional strength recovery.
By David A. Porter, MD, PhD, Kirk Cleland, MD, and Angela M. Rund, MEd, ATC
Many studies have shown an effect of foot orthoses on biomechanical function in patients with flexible flatfoot, but few studies have focused on patient-centered outcomes. There is a need to investigate the effect of foot orthoses on pain and fatigue in these individuals over time.
By Sarah A. Curran, PhD
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
Some evidence suggests that neuromuscular training before puberty can help further reduce anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury rates. But young children respond differently to instruction than their older counterparts, which means early intervention requires some creativity.
By P.K. Daniel
Clubfoot researchers have begun to report long-term data that continue to solidify the superiority of the conservative method over surgical intervention in most cases. But variations to the traditional Ponseti method are arising, particularly in developing countries, and may alter outcomes.
By Larry Hand
The American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) announced the winners of its 2013 APMA Annual Scientific Meeting Abstract Competition on July 24 at its annual meeting, held in Las Vegas. APMA presented awards to first-, second-, and third-place winners in five...
The University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) will hold the official ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new $6-million biomechanics research facility on September 5 during the annual meeting of the American Society of Biomechanics. The 23,000-square-foot building houses...
A topical antifungal manufactured by Palo Alto, CA-based Ancor Pharmaceuticals clears nails and fungal infection in people with onychomycosis, according to data presented in July at the 2013 American Podiatric Medical Association Annual Scientific Meeting held in Las...
The Empi Phoenix, a neuromuscular electrical stimulator designed to supplement physical therapy before or after surgery for total knee replacement or anterior cruciate ligament repair, has received 510(k) clearance from the Food and Drug Administration, according to a...
The Datalys Center for Sports Injury Research and Prevention in Indianapolis announced in July that its data collection is expanding beyond college sports to include national youth, high school, and amateur sports programs. The National Collegiate Athletic Association...
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