Category Archives: MarketMechanics
August 2018
The Future Is Knocking: Novel Sensors Could Enable Smarter Textiles
A next-generation smart textile has been developed by a team of University of Delaware (UD) engineers using light, flexible, breathable carbon nanotube composite coatings on a range of natural and synthetic fibers, such as Kevlar, wool, nylon, Spandex, and polyester. Fabric coated with this sensing technology could be… Continue reading
August 2018
IL Passes Law to Facilitate Access to PT Services
On August 16, Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner (R) signed House Bill 4643, which allows consumers to pursue and begin physical therapy (PT) services without a doctor’s referral while still ensuring professional medical oversight safeguards. The law, effective immediately, permits physical therapists to… Continue reading
August 2018
PT Assessment, Referrals by ER Staff after a Fall May Reduce Revisits
In 2014, about 2.8 million older adults visited the emergency room (ER) for a fall-related injury. Some estimates show that 25% of older adults visiting the ER for a fall returned for at least one additional fall-related visit, and 15% of those older adults died within the following year. Continue reading
August 2018
CMT Patients Experience Improved Gait, Balance with AFO Usage
Use of orthoses can help improve the gait and balance of patients with Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease, but patients don’t always follow recommendations for their use, a review study has found. The study, “The Role of Orthotic Service in Modern Rehabilitation of Patients with Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease,” was… Continue reading
August 2018
CDC: 1 in 4 U.S. Adults Have a Disability
One in 4 U.S. adults — 61 million people — have a disability that impacts major life activities, according to the “Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report” released by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) on August 16. Mobility is the most common disability type, affecting 1 in 7 adults under age 65 and about 2 in 5 adults age 65 and older. Continue reading
August 2018
LSUHealthNO Studies Innovative Approach to Improve Walking In Children with CP
Noelle Moreau, PhD, PT, an associate professor of physical therapy at Louisiana State University Health New Orleans (LSUHealthNO) School of Allied Health Professions, has received a $2.5 million grant to study the effectiveness of an innovative approach to improve the ability of children with cerebral palsy (CP) to walk. Continue reading
August 2018
Clinic Openings
Ageility Physical Therapy Solutions opened four new clinics throughout the state of Washington during August. The clinics are located in Shelton, Bremerton, Burlington, and Mount Vernon and mark Ageility’s first operations in the Pacific Northwest. Continue reading
July 2018
LER’s Bottoni Wins AOSSM Research Award
Orthopedic surgeon and LER Editorial Advisory Board Member Craig R. Bottoni, MD, and colleagues John D. Johnson, DO, CPT, Liang Zhou, MD, Sarah G. Raybin, BA, MAJ, James J. Shaha, MD, COL (ret), Kenneth K. Lindell, MD, MAJ, and David D. Thoma, DO, were…
Craig R. Bottoni, MD Continue reading
July 2018
USC Podiatric Surgeon, Neurosurgeon Collaborate on Smart Insole
David Armstrong, DPM, MD, PhD, a professor of surgery at the University of Southern California (USC), Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine, and Charles Liu, MD, PhD, a professor of clinical neurological surgery and director of USC’s Neurorestoration Center, have collaborated on the development of a smart insole. The technology has implications for the reduction of amputations resulting from diabetic foot ulcers. Continue reading
July 2018
Visual Illusion of Altered Knee Size Reduces Pain in OA Sufferers
In a study published July 17 in the journal Peer J, researchers at the University of South Australia (UniSA) Body in Mind Research Group have found that people suffering from knee osteoarthritis (OA) reported up to a 40% reduction in pain when presented with an… Continue reading
July 2018
Barefoot Exercising May Improve Balancing, Jumping Skills in Children
“Walking barefoot is widely thought to be more natural, and the use of footwear has long been discussed as an influencing factor on foot health and movement pattern development,” said Astrid Zech, PhD, from the Institute of Sport Science, Friedrich Schille University of Jena, Germany. Toward this end, she and two research teams assessed… Continue reading
July 2018
Heel Defender Orthotic Insoles Selected for Clinical Trial
Defender Operations, South Miami, Florida announced its Heel Defender Orthotic Insoles have been selected for use in a clinical trial of a new treatment for Achilles tendonitis. The treatment entails the injection of a bioactive tissue matrix allograft to promote healing of chronic Achilles tendonitis. A Level 1 randomized, multicenter, blinded, controlled, clinical trial is currently… Continue reading
July 2018
First Mobility-Impaired Runner Completes 100th Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Race
Beth Deloria became the first mobility-impaired runner to complete 100 races in the Rock ‘n’ Roll Series, and the 11th athlete overall to hit the 100-mark, when she completed the series’ Raleigh, North Carolina, event in April. Deloria, who has foot drop, uses an Allard ToeOFF AFO. She is also the founder of Allard’s TeamUP, the first national… Continue reading
July 2018
NATA Announces New VP, Secretary/Treasurer, Board Members
The National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) announced that Marisa Brunett, MS, ATC, LAT, has been elected vice president, and Chris Hall, MA, ATC, LAT, was appointed secretary/treasurer. Brunett replaces President Tory Lindley, MA, ATC, whose presidential term began June 28. Continue reading
June 2018
The Future Is Knocking: Tufts Engineers Develop Smart Bandage
A team of engineers led by Tufts University has developed a bandage to actively monitor the condition of chronic wounds, such as diabetic ulcers, and deliver drug treatments to improve the chances of healing. With the idea of assisting the natural healing process, the researchers designed the bandages with heating elements and thermoresponsive drug carriers that can deliver tailored treatments in response to embedded pH and temperature sensors that track infection and inflammation. Continue reading
June 2018
In Memoriam: Lawrence G. Lefler, DPM
Lawrence G. Lefler, DPM, passed away June 23. He was 92 years old. Lefler was a veteran of the United States Army Air Corps and was an air traffic controller until being discharged in 1946. He then attended the University of Nebraska, eventually being admitted to what is now the Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, which he graduated from in 1952. Continue reading
June 2018
Ottobock Names New CFO
Ottobock, Duderstadt, Germany, announced Philipp Schulte-Noelle will join the management team of the international medical technology manufacturer under CEO Oliver Scheel Dr. rer. nat. Dipl. Chem, starting August 15. He comes to Ottobock from Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA, Bad Homburg, Germany, where he began in 2013 as corporate business development/M&A; most recently he was CFO and labor director of… Continue reading
June 2018
ACFAS Calls for Manuscript, Poster Submissions
The American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS) has issued a call for manuscript and poster submissions to be presented at its 77th Annual Scientific Conference Program, which will be held February 14-19 in New Orleans. Continue reading
June 2018
NAAOP Comments on MEDPAC Orthotics Report
In June, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MEDPAC) filed a report with Congress, regarding Medicare and the healthcare delivery system, in which there is a section on orthotics and that includes a recommendation to implement competitive bidding for off-the-shelf (OTS) orthotics. Continue reading
June 2018
Bill Will Allow NPs, PAs to Certify Need for Diabetic Shoes
New legislation was recently introduced that would allow nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs) to satisfy Medicare’s documentation requirement for coverage of certain shoes for people with diabetes, allowing those patients easier access to that care. The bill, “Promoting Access to Diabetic Shoes Act,” was introduced into the 115th Congress by Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Susan Collins (R-ME). Continue reading
June 2018
Low-Cost Prosthetic Foot Mimics Natural Walking
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) engineers have developed a simple, low-cost, passive prosthetic foot that can be tailored to an individual. Given a user’s body weight and size, the researchers can tune the shape and stiffness of the prosthesis, such that the user’s walk is similar to an able-bodied gait. Continue reading
May 2018
SMU President Sharon Diaz announces retirement
Sharon Diaz will step down as president and chief executive officer of Samuel Merritt University (SMU) in Oakland, CA, by January 2019. In 2002, Diaz was instrumental in bringing about the merger of SMU and the California College of Podiatric Medicine, now called the California School of Podiatric Medicine. Diaz was the first president of SMU and has been a leader in education for 45 years. Continue reading
May 2018
Iowa governor signs the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed into law April 4, 2018 the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact (House File 2425). The compact is an agreement between member states to improve access to physical therapy services by increasing the ability of physical therapists to work in multiple states. Continue reading
May 2018
APMA Registry Ready for MIPS 2018 Reporting Year
The American Podiatric Medicine Association (APMA) registry is accepting 2018 Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) reporting data from MIPS eligible practitioners. The 2018 performance period score will impact 2020 Medicare payments, with a positive, neutral, or negative payment adjustment. Continue reading
May 2018
Podiatry Care May Lead to Reduced Hospitalizations and Opioid Prescription, Study Shows
A New York State Podiatric Medical Association (NYSPMA) survey, initiated in late 2017, has found that expanding podiatry’s role in health care may lead to reduced hospitalizations, long-term health care costs, and opioid prescription in 4 target groups: diabetes, obesity, substance abuse/back pain, and fall prevention. Improvement in health care in these conditions aligns with New York’s Delivery System Reform Incentive Payment program health goals. Continue reading
