Lower Extremity Review
Millions of people with diabetes are at risk of developing diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs), which often lead to amputations and other health complications. Now, scientists from the Staffordshire University Centre for Biomechanics and Rehabilitation Technologies (CRBT) in England have developed a new method to…
Radiobotics has recently launched its knee osteoarthritis (OA) tool, RBknee (FDA-cleared) for the US market. This tool automates the analysis of knee OA x-rays. It provides both a visual overlay indicating the presence of knee OA (including joint space width measurements) on the x-ray as well as a report indicating the…
PriMatrix is a unique scaffold for the management of wounds that includes diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). Derived from fetal bovine dermis, this novel acellular dermal matrix provides an ideal environment to support cellular repopulation and revascularization processes critical in wound healing.
Researchers at Oxford University, Imperial College, and the University of Sheffield collaborated with English tech company ThinkSono to train a machine learning artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm (AutoDVT) to distinguish patients who had deep vein thrombosis (DVT) from those without DVT.
Test your knowledge of information from this issue of Lower Extremity Review and the world in general with our new crossword puzzle feature.
Athletes in all sports are constantly looking for an edge. Often, the focus is on increasing speed. The importance of high-intensity training cannot be underestimated, but there are prerequisites. These are part of the MAF Method, allowing athletes to develop a lasting individualized plan to improve fitness — including speed — while also maintaining optimum health.
By Phil Maffetone, DC
Since the spring, it has been demonstrated that masks are a critical deterrent to the spread of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that leads to COVID-19, the worldwide pandemic that has claimed more than 240,000 American lives, and more than 1.25 million lives globally. Experts are agreed now that transmission of the virus is predominately by respiratory droplets when people sneeze, sing, talk, or breathe.
Tibialis posterior tendon dysfunction/tendinopathy (PTTP) is a common debilitating condition. The diagnosis is largely clinical with physical examination sufficient to make the determination. Patients will commonly complain of pain in the medial foot and behind the medial malleolus that worsens with prolonged standing and activity.
The purpose of this brief report was to refresh a 2007 data summary comparing diabetic foot complications to cancer with the best available data as they currently exist. Since that time, more reports have emerged both on cancer mortality and mortality associated with diabetic foot ulcer (DFU), Charcot arthropathy, and diabetes-associated lower extremity amputation.
Keeping older adults physically active is critical to health maintenance and walking is a key form of exercise for this population. However, foot pain represents a leading cause of mobility limitations and lower quality of life in older individuals. Nearly 25% of adults report foot pain, and those with frequent foot pain are at double the risk of falling.
While a good patient-provider relationship has been the bedrock of today’s much-needed patient satisfaction scores, such relationships are also proving to boost functional outcomes. In a recent study published in the Annals of Family Medicine, physician researchers from Case Western Reserve University…
Patients with chronic limb threatening ischemia (CLTI) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) have greater risk of limb loss compared to those with CLTI alone. These researchers investigated angiographic patterns in patients with CLTI and evaluated for differences based on ESRD status.
With increasing demand for biomaterials that have the ability to support wound healing, tissue engineers have been challenged to develop innovative bioactive scaffold materials. In general, bioactive materials have the mechanical properties of the tissue to be replaced while supporting biological activities such as cellular adhesion, proliferation, differentiation, and angiogenesis.
By Windy Cole, DPM, CWSP
Foot drop, a complex condition that can have a significant impact on independent ambulation, can have many causes. Treatment options vary by cause. These authors provide a review of the condition from etiology through treatment. Foot drop (also known as steppage gait) is an inability to lift the forefoot due to the weakness of dorsiflexors of the foot. This, in turn, can lead to an unsafe antalgic gait, potentially resulting in falls.
By Subhadra L. Nori, MD, and Michael F. Stretanski, DO
Researchers from Korea have developed a new type of AFO that uses neoprene and a novel wire configuration for use with foot drop after stroke. Foot drop can be a sequela of stroke. An ankle–foot orthosis (AFO) is the most widely used method to prevent foot drop in patients with stroke, and is used during weight-bearing training of the limb on the affected side or when there is ankle spasticity or deformity.
By Jung-Hoon Lee, Im-Rak Choi, and Hyun-Su Choi
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