Lower Extremity Review
Osteoarthritis of the first metatarsophalangeal joint (MTPJ) is a common forefoot problem affecting patients in later years. It leads to pain, gait problems, and difficulty with activities of daily living. Treatment is controversial and varies according to patient symptoms and surgeon preference. Arthrodesis remains the gold standard but it has its own complications.
The stride angle is a more useful metric than stride length. For example, the stride angle is what creates stride length. The stride angle is the maximum opening between the upper legs while running or pitching. Our 6-month research project found that for every degree a runner increases his stride angle, he can increase the stride length 2%. This runner (Figure 1) increased his stride length 60%.
By Bob Prichard
First off, I am pleased to announce the appointment of Bradley P. Abicht, DPM, FACFAS, as the new Medical Director of lerEXPO. With extensive experience in podiatric foot and ankle surgery, Brad brings a wealth of expertise and a patient-centered approach to this arm of the Lower Extremity Review organization.
By Rich Dubin, Publisher
Background: In 2023, 97% of United States (US) adults reported that they owned a cell phone. Use of cell phones while driving may result in crashes and injuries. This study characterized cell phone-related lower extremity injuries while in or on a motor vehicle that were treated at US hospital emergency departments (EDs).
By Mathias B. Forrester, BS
Natural materials like bone, bird feathers, and wood have an intelligent approach to physical stress distribution, despite their irregular architectures. However, the relationship between stress modulation and their structures has remained elusive. A new study that integrates machine learning, optimization, 3D printing, and stress experiments allowed engineers to gain insight into these…
People with chronic diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) could soon have a new way to treat their wounds for faster healing and fewer hospital stays. Researchers from Michigan State University (MSU) and South Shore Hospital in South Weymouth, Massachusetts, have found that the combination of 2 common diabetes drugs—injectable insulin and orally-administered metformin—increases the amount of…
TWIN is a new robotic exoskeleton for lower limbs, designed and developed by Rehab Technologies IIT – INAIL, the joint laboratory between the Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT, Italian Institute of Technology) and the Prosthetic Center of INAIL (the prosthetic unit of the National Institute for Insurance against Accidents at Work). The motorized exoskeleton is an external structure capable of…
John Horne lost his right leg to bone cancer when he was a freshman in high school. This personal experience spawned his career and passion for advocating for those with limb loss. The president of Independence Prosthetics-Orthotics on the University of Delaware’s (UD) Science, Technology, and Advanced Research (STAR) Campus has seen prostheses improve significantly since…
Waco Shoe Company recently introduced the Revitalign® Elevated Essentials collection, which features the Laurel, Malibu penny, and Maple Mary Jane loafers, each designed to seamlessly blend style with orthotic-grade support. This loafer collection is more than a fashion statement—it’s a step forward in comfort technology.
DonJoy® ROAM™ OA knee brace was designed to unload the pressure of unicompartmental osteoarthritis (OA) and shift weight away from the affected knee to relieve pain and improve stability and mobility. Designed for conservative care and for pre- and post-operative knee protection, the brace is ideal for a wide range of patients who want to maintain or increase activity.
Whether it’s cracked heels, dry feet, or dry hands, Dermatonics Dry Skin Cream is clinically proven to nourish skin back to health while providing a barrier to lock in moisture so skin stays soft. All Dermatonics products contain natural ingredients such as Manuka honey, shea butter, and Finnish oats, as well as ingredients scientifically proven to soften skin, such as urea.
The Wound Express advanced wound therapy device is designed to be used in conjunction with standard treatment techniques and has been shown to significantly reduce the size of both hard-to-heal wounds of venous and mixed etiology in some patients, and other wounds completely in just 8 weeks of use. This device uses intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) to increase blood flow around the leg ulcer.
An interdisciplinary team of medical specialists, engineers, and computer scientists at Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany, are developing smart implants that can continuously monitor and actively promote bone healing—by, for example, micro-massaging the fracture site. The team of engineers led by Stefan Seelecke, Prof. Dr.-Ing., iMSL, chair of intelligent material systems and…
In 2022, a report in the International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy found that college athletes who suffered a concussion possessed a 58% greater risk of sustaining a lower extremity musculoskeletal injury than those who did not have a history of concussion (RR = 1.58[1.30, 1.93]). Now, a new study by Gardner et al reports that for college male football players the odds of upper extremity injury in the…
An easy-to-use and reliable tool is essential for gait assessment of people with gait pathologies. This study aimed to assess the reliability and validity of the OneStep smartphone application compared to the C-Mill-VR+ treadmill (Motek, Nederlands) among patients undergoing rehabilitation for unilateral lower extremity disability.
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