Lower Extremity Review
Increasingly, lower extremity practitioners are realizing the clinical importance of patient communication. They’re also starting to realize that effective communication requires more than just using the right words.
By Hank Black
Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD), known also as tibialis posterior tendon dysfunction, is one of the leading causes of acquired flatfoot in adults, but the…
By By Frank Layman, PT, DPT, EdD, MT; and April Wilson, PTA, BS, CI, CKTP, IASTM
Dry needling is gaining momentum as an alternative therapy for myofascial pain, and is supported by a small but growing body of research as well as anecdotal evidence. But the training and expertise required to perform the procedure has become a topic of debate.
By P.K. Daniel
New research suggests lower extremity clinicians should consider implementing gait training in combination with targeted strengthening of the peroneus longus and gluteus medius muscles to help restore normal gait patterns in patients with chronic ankle instability.
By Rachel Koldenhoven, MEd, ATC
Preventing deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism after lower extremity surgery can involve pharmaceutical therapies or mechanical interventions. The type of prophylaxis used depends on the type of surgery, pre-existing risk factors, and patient preference.
By Barbara Boughton
In distance runners, step-rate manipulation of at least 10% above a runner’s preferred rate may be an effective clinical gait retraining method to decrease the severity of foot inclination angle at heel strike and…
By Darrell J. Allen, PT, DPT, MS, SCS, CSCS; Hollie Heisler, PT, DPT; and Jennifer Mooney, PT, DPT
National Football League (NFL) players say they worry more about lower extremity injuries than concussions. But a growing body of evidence suggests the latter injury actually increases the likelihood of the former.
By Jordana Bieze Foster, Editor
Gait interventions can alter knee loading in obese patients, which may have implications for knee osteoarthritis (OA), according to three studies presented in August at the annual meeting of the American Society of Biomechanics in Raleigh, NC.
By Katie Bell
The effects of mild limb-length discrepancy (LLD) on gait in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) may contribute to disease progression, according to research epublished in August by Clinical Biomechanics.
By Jordana Bieze Foster
Some—but not all—characteristics of meniscal damage on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans are associated with knee osteoarthritis (OA) severity and two-year progression, according to research from Tufts Medical Center in Boston, MA.
By Jordana Bieze Foster
Healthcare education materials for patients are consistently written at a reading level too advanced for a significant number of people–a trend that affects all aspects of lower extremity care and can adversely affect clinical outcomes.
By Hank Black
Scientists disavowing the use of their research by Medicare officials to justify proposed prosthetic limb reimbursement changes, the social media campaign #notaluxury, and protests led by amputee rights groups and professional O&P organizations are among the voices protesting the proposed rule change.
The UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence on August 26 published three updated guidelines for the management of diabetes that emphasize prevention and rapid care of diabetic foot problems and tight glucose control for adults and children.
The Freedom Innovation-sponsored AMP 1 national team of amputee basketball players in August competed in Los Angeles at the Nike 3on3 Tournament, winning three games of stand-up basketball against able-bodied players in the street basketball and fan festival.
Alabama State University’s (ASU) Biomechanics and Motor Control Laboratory in Montgomery in August installed an advanced gait analysis device that places patients in virtual reality simulations.
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.