Lower Extremity Review
Gait speed linked to braking force By Jordana Bieze Foster Rigid ankle foot orthoses increase gait speed in hemiplegic stroke patients, but not for the reasons one might think, according to research from the Kessler Foundation Research Center in New Jersey. In a study...
Fall simulations help AK amputees By Jordana Bieze Foster Thanks to an improved ability to simulate falls in the laboratory, researchers are identifying variables that contribute to falls in above-knee amputees and implementing training programs to improve response to...
Robot-assisted ankle rehabilitation significantly improves functional mobility in stroke patients, according to research from Northwestern University in Chicago. Researchers customized a continuous passive motion machine to create a portable rehabilitation robot that...
Functional electrical stimulation of the plantar flexor muscles in addition to the dorsiflexors surprisingly had no effect on mechanical recovery during post-stroke gait in a study performed at the University of Delaware. Researchers analyzed the effects of...
A cast-boot ankle foot orthosis decreases plantar pressures under the forefoot more effectively than a total contact cast, but its relative effectiveness for ulcer healing is still a function of compliance, according to research from Washington University in St....
The choice of a thick or thin gel liner in transtibial amputees may ultimately come down to personal preference, according to research from Northwestern University in Chicago. Investigators compared two prosthetic gel liners, one 3 mm thick and one 9 mm thick, in 11...
A football player’s perception of a shoe may be related to the amount of lateral loading associated with that shoe during cutting, according to research from Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. Investigators analyzed cutting movements in 17 male teenaged football players...
Practitioners who recommend so-called motion control running shoes may want to think of “control” as a relative term, in light of research demonstrating significant sagittal plane movement of the foot within motion control shoes. Investigators from Northern Arizona...
A tennis-specific version of the neuromuscular training program developed in Cincinnati could significantly improve performance on the court, according to research published in the September issue of the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. The Sportsmetrics...
Much of the literature on hormones and ligament laxity has focused on the knee, but a study from James Madison University suggests that an interaction between hormone levels and fatigue may also affect laxity at the ankle. Researchers analyzed ankle ligament laxity in...
The effect of fatigue on ankle muscle activity during landing from a jump is more pronounced while wearing a Breg Ultra FullCourt ankle brace than when unbraced, according to research from Iowa State University. The brace, made by Vista, CA-based Breg, is worn by the...
Masterfit University, the snowsports industry’s official fit education centers, has expanded its course offerings. Masterfit U’s Masters, Masters-Backcountry Connection and Masters Plus courses individually qualify for continuing education credits from both the...
Popular diabetes drugs, including Avandia and Actos, may increase the risk of fracture, according to research from the University of Michigan. From a large prospective database of patients with diabetes, investigators compared 786 patients with fractures and 2657...
San Diego-based Injinji announced in August its receipt of the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) Seal of Acceptance for its Ex-Celerator Compression Toesock and InjinjiRX Therapeutic Toesock products. This extends Injinji’s APMA-accepted socks to three....
ASO Ankle Stabilizers from Charlotte, NC-based Medical Specialties reduce knee flexion and peak knee abduction moment during cutting maneuvers, which could reduce the risk of anterior cruciate ligament injury, according to research from Texas Tech University in...
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