Lower Extremity Review
Study delves beyond plantar pressure – Recent research confirms that peak shear and peak pressure points occur at different locations under the foot, shedding some light on the role of shear in diabetic foot ulceration.
By Emily Delzell
A Dutch study suggests that metatarsal pads relieve metatarsalgia pain by creating space between metatarsal heads in addition to reducing plantar pressure. Researchers from St. Maartens Clinic in Nijmegen, the Netherlands, performed motion analysis on 16 feet with...
Wearing thick-soled shoes increases the magnitude of peroneus longus muscle activity required to resist an unanticipated foot inversion, elevating the risk of an ankle sprain, according to research from the University of Dundee in Scotland. Investigators used...
Predictive variables include race, age
Research presented in July at the annual meeting of the American Podiatric Medical Association in Boston adds to knowledge of risk factors for and prevalence of hallux valgus. Older age, African American race, high heel use, and genetic factors all conferred an increased risk of HV.
By Emily Delzell
Foot orthoses modified with metatarsal pads, the current standard of care for metatarsalgia, don’t significantly reduce plantar pressure compared with orthoses alone, according to a study presented in July at the annual APMA meeting in Boston.
Mild compression socks can reduce lower extremity edema in patients with diabetes without compromising vascularity, according to research presented in July at the annual APMA meeting in Boston.
New approach supports orthotic care
In contrast with previous findings based on peak pressure values, an abstract presented at July’s International Society of Biomechanics (ISB) meeting in Brussels used a new method of measuring dynamic plantar pressure distribution to confirm that custom orthoses improve distribution of peak pressure during dynamic foot loading in patients with painful pes cavus.
Posterolateral shear stress increases with heel height and could play a key role in high-heeled shoe-related foot disorders, according to a study in the June issue of the Journal of Biomechanics. Investigators from Hong Kong Polytechnic University used in-shoe...
A multifaceted fall-prevention program introduced in a group of community dwelling older adults reduced falls by 36% compared with a control group, according to a June British Medical Journal study. Investigators at La Trobe University in Bundoora, Australia,...
Predicting flexible flatfoot symptoms
A recent paper on variations in midfoot alignment offers a tantalizing new piece of information in the treat-or-don’t-treat puzzle that has long been an issue in management of asymptomatic pediatric flexible flatfoot.
Thinning of the plantar soft tissue under the metatarsal heads in older adults is linked to both hallux valgus and lesser toe deformities, according to a case-controlled study published in the July 2011 issue of the Journal of Orthopedic Research. Researchers from the...
Treating aching or stiff feet may help patients prevent or cope with declines in physical function, report researchers from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In more than 2500 participants, investigators looked at three measures of physical function:...
Gait study compares clubfoot care
Children with clubfoot treated with the Ponseti casting method have less pain and better function five to 10 years later than those treated surgically, according to gait analysis research from Baltimore that provides evidence to help justify the growing popularity of conservative clubfoot care.
Transmetatarsal amputations offer lower mortality rates and time to failure than other distal alternatives to transtibial amputation in patients with diabetes, according to research from the University of Rochester in New York. Investigators retrospectively reviewed...
Foot and ankle surgeons favor stretching for a patient with four months of plantar fasciitis symptoms but turn to less conservative treatments if the pain continues for four months, according to survey results presented in February at the AAOS meeting. Researchers...
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