Lower Extremity Review
Over the past century, the Akin osteotomy has earned the nickname “cheater Akin,” a term that reflects both its simplicity and the skepticism surrounding its standalone value. However, a deeper look into the history and evolving practices of podiatric and orthopedic surgeons reveals a more nuanced role for this procedure.
By Bradley P. Abicht, DPM, FACFAS
In the late 70s, newly involved with the late, great sports therapist Bob Gajda’s new Sports Fitness Institute in Glen Ellyn Illinois, I met figure skating coach, former National champion competitor, Candy Brown. Candy was coaching a young 12-year-old neighbor. Angelo, who I had seen flying around…
By Dr. Robert Weil, DPM
Below-knee amputations significantly affect quality of life by eliminating the critical biomechanical functions of the ankle joint, which is essential for gait stability and propulsion. While prostheses aim to restore mobility, passive prostheses fail to replicate ankle dynamics, leading to gait asymmetry and musculoskeletal…
One of the most common foot health problems in adults is hallux valgus. The primary goal of hallux valgus therapy is to reduce pain, which affects 76%–83% of people with this deformity and to improve the positioning of the first toe. This study aimed to assess the effect of corrective exercises and exercises…
Chronic lateral ankle sprains are common injuries that are largely sequelae of inversion injuries of the ankle. These injuries are amenable to surgical intervention, namely, Broström-Gould reconstruction, which is commonly performed for the above injury. Many open and arthroscopic variations of the…
Achilles tendon ruptures (ATRs) often occur in competitive athletes. Various studies have been conducted to improve the treatment outcomes for ATRs, but the results remain unsatisfactory for athletes. The purpose of this study was to clarify the clinical outcomes of the addition of Freeze-dried Platelet-derived…
Even though dancers have good postural control ability, ankle sprain is the most common injury among dancers, developing into chronic ankle instability (CAI). While dancers rely on visual cues during stage and practice, it is unknown how dancers with CAI perform balance in different visual conditions.
Running is a popular form of physical activity with significant health benefits, but improper technique can lead to running-related injuries. Understanding the risk factors associated with these injuries is crucial for mitigating their negative effects as such injuries can compel individuals to reduce their physical activity…
Soccer is associated with substantial injury risk, with reported between 13 to 35 injuries per 1000 player-hours of competitive play. Notably, approximately 77% of soccer-related ankle injuries are attributed to ankle sprain injuries (ASIs). ASI can lead to chronic ankle instability, obesity, and post-traumatic…
Although surgical alignment of the rear-foot might be sufficient to achieve acceptable correction of pronation-distortion deformity, concomitant correction of the medial arch might improve functional results. These authors present experience with combined hind-foot alignment and medial arch reconstruction by…
I am regularly asked, “Why 3D printed?” There are obvious environmental and manufacturing benefits, although speaking from my clinical perspective–it is the design freedom that is most important. The ability to have an unrestricted design envelope, being able to design and manufacture devices lighter, thinner, fully-custom and quicker are just a few of the benefits.
By Dean Hartley (Podiatrist & Adjunct Engineering Fellow–University of Queensland)
Perceptive Solutions’ WoundZoom PRO is an advanced application that gives healthcare providers a more intelligent and efficient way to manage wound care across a variety of care settings with its non-contact 3D wound measurement technology and intuitive workflow application that can all be accessed on a clinician’s smart device. This Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act–compliant digital wound…
Podiatrists, physical therapists, and other foot and ankle specialists are increasingly recommending Tread Labs’ semi-custom orthotic insoles to their patients, citing impressive outcomes comparable to custom orthotics at a significantly lower cost to the patients. The company’s innovative approach includes offering 4 distinct arch heights—low, medium, high, and extra high. This unique feature allows for a more tailored…
Arizona State University (ASU) bioengineers have developed a multistep strategy that applies different nanomaterials to diabetic wounds at different times to support both early- and late-stage healing. Their work showed this method outperformed a common wound dressing in a diabetic mouse model, closing wounds faster and producing more robust skin tissue. The researchers’ analysis also suggests that their…
A team of researchers from the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) have demonstrated a new method that leverages artificial intelligence (AI) and computer simulations to train robotic exoskeletons that can help users save energy while walking, running, and climbing stairs. The novel method rapidly develops exoskeleton controllers to assist locomotion without relying on lengthy human-involved experiments.
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