Lower Extremity Review
Recent research from the University of Washington in Seattle confirms what many practitioners have already learned from treating patients with lower limb amputations: Sock thickness varies among different sock products of the same ply and is also affected by biomechanical conditions.
By Emily Delzell
Research from Canadian investigators suggests brace wear may positively affect activity level without decreasing muscle strength in patients with medial compartment knee osteoarthritis (OA). Investigators from Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia followed 24 patients...
Researchers at the University of Salford in Manchester, UK, reported in March that a pilot study comparing two therapeutic shoe soles in eight individuals with claudication showed a reduction in calf pain with rocker sole wear. The investigators asked study...
There are plenty of reasons you might be thinking about seeing Moneyball. Maybe you’re wondering how anyone could have turned that book into a movie. Maybe you’re curious about how Angelina’s better half and the kid from Superbad ended up with Oscar nominations. Maybe you just need to forget about the snow on your lawn and try to get in the mood for Opening Day.
Jordana Bieze Foster, Editor
Quantitative research from The Netherlands suggests that for every ankle foot orthosis, there is an optimal stiffness associated with the lowest energy cost of walking for a given set of gait-related impairments. Achieving this optimal device stiffness in practice, however, may require clinicians to rethink conventional approaches to AFO prescription.
By Daan J.J. Bregman, PhD
Barefoot training and balance training have each been effective in studies of runners, but combining the methods could lead to even better results.
By Emily Splichal, DPM, MS, CPT
Demonstrated associations between impaired proprioception and knee osteoarthritis suggest some interventions that help relieve painful symptoms in patients with knee osteoarthritis , such as exercise and bracing, do so by positively affecting joint position sense.
By Barbara Boughton
Falls are common, disabling and costly. Causes are multifactorial but include foot disorders, ill-fitting footwear, and poor balance. Recent research supports a multidisciplinary approach to falls prevention and indicates that lower extremity practitioners can play an important role.
By Hylton B. Menz, PhD, and Martin J. Spink, BPod(Hons)
Hospitals with multidisciplinary diabetic foot care programs have found that adding vascular surgeons to the team makes their amputation prevention efforts more effective, but also adds an extra layer of challenges in terms of coordination and communication.
By Cary Groner
Not all patients with chronic ankle instability develop ankle osteoarthritis, but evidence suggests the two conditions are related, which in turn suggests that ankle sprain prevention and management could help reduce ankle replacement rates.
By Larry Hand
Acute compartment syndrome can develop after open or closed tibial fractures, even those that appear to be benign. Early diagnosis of increased compartmental pressure and timely surgical intervention can prevent adverse outcomes including nerve injury and muscle necrosis.
By Langdon A. Hartsock, MD, and William R. Barfield, PhD
Gurnick Podiatry Supply offers the FootBufferPro for everyday foot hygiene and foot comfort, particularly for patients with such dermatologic issues as tinea pedis, hyperhydrosis, bromhidrosis, and onychomycosis. Designed for use in the shower or tub, the...
Zotefoams has responded to medical industry customer request by adding Healthcare Pink to the available colors in its Evazote EV30 foam. Plastazote polyethylene foam has been available for many years in Healthcare Pink, which is the most requested color for medical...
Ward Medical Innovations offers the patented Hawk (Heightened Above Weight Keeper) C-Brace. The Hawk C-Brace is an orthopedic brace designed to off-load the entire foot and ankle, facilitating ulcer healing in patients with diabetes. Worn on the lower leg, the Hawk...
ALPS new EZ Flex Liner is designed to provide greater elasticity over the patella while limiting the vertical stretch posteriorly. An anterior fabric with unlimited stretch reduces pressure on the knee, while a posterior fabric with 80% less vertical stretch than...
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.