Category Archives: Special Section
July 2015
Lamey Wellehan Shoes: Investing in expertise pays off for 101-year-old company
Many foot care professionals would probably confess to a love-hate relationship with the footwear industry. At times, it may feel like the manufacturers of tottering stiletto heels and poorly supported platform shoes are the bane of one’s existence when it comes to…
By Nancy Shohet West Continue reading
July 2015
Extra bodyweight enhances effects of high heels at knee
Lower heels, BMI may reduce OA risk – Walking in shoes with heels higher than about 1.5 inches causes gait abnormalities that are amplified by extra bodyweight, according to recent research that found high-heeled walking creates significant changes in knee loading similar to…
By Emily Delzell Continue reading
July 2015
Foot orthoses for heel pain help improve walking activity
Study supports custom device use – In patients with plantar fasciitis, the pain relief associated with custom foot orthoses (CFOs) appears to result in increased walking activity, as well, according to a recently published clinical trial.
By Barbara Boughton Continue reading
July 2015
Arcopédico Leina
Arcopédico USA debuts three new colors—grey, camel, and purple—this summer for the top-selling Leina collection of sporty Mary Jane walking slides. Featuring a wide, nonrestrictive form and a stay-on elastic band for a secure fit, these shoes are ideal for misshapen feet. Continue reading
July 2015
Mobils Ergonomic by Mephisto
The Mobils Ergonomic Collection by Mephisto is designed to ensure a healthy, natural walk. Three advanced technological comfort features highlight this brand. All-over soft padding between the lining and the natural leather upper cushions the entire foot. Continue reading
July 2015
Vionic Cozy Juniper
For fall 2015, Vionic brings its trusted Orthaheel orthotic technology to a new, premium cozy women’s house slipper. The Cozy Juniper is a luxurious option for the patient/consumer who desires structural security for her feet along with the pampering of a house slipper. Continue reading
July 2015
Dr. Comfort Ruk and Riley
Dr. Comfort is proud to feature two new fashionable shoes that allow customers to feel great: the Ruk and the Riley. The Ruk is a classic dress style shoe for men that is versatile enough to pair with jeans or trousers. It comes with a suede upper material in a rust color or full-grain… Continue reading
July 2015
Ped Lite Valerie
Ped Lite’s newest women’s casual shoe, the Valerie, offers a fashion-forward interpretation of the typical diabetic shoe. Available in black with an all-leather upper, the Valerie looks like a slip-on shoe but has a Medicare-approved adjustable closure that makes it functional as well as stylish. Continue reading
July 2015
Apex Boss Runner
The Apex Boss Runner is a biomechanically designed, straight lasted, motion control running shoe. The shoe features a molded external heel counter extended on the medial side for rearfoot stability, Carboplast footbridge for torsional stability… Continue reading
July 2015
DIABETIC FOOTWEAR: Cinematic symposium explores person-centric communication
Cannes is the French city most often associated with cinema. But several hundred kilometers to the north, in Lyon, a pair of short films debuted in June that sent a clear message about the most effective ways for lower extremity practitioners to interact with their patients. Continue reading
July 2015
AMPUTATION: Patients cite lack of education about partial foot procedures
Patients who have had a partial foot amputation followed by a transtibial amputation on the same limb feel that they were inadequately educated about what the first procedure would involve, according to detailed interviews conducted by researchers at La Trobe University in Melbourne, Australia. Continue reading
July 2015
PEDIATRICS: CP studies assess potential advantages of flexible AFOs
The flexibility of an ankle foot orthosis (AFO) does not necessarily affect walking economy in children with cerebral palsy (CP), but more flexible AFOs may be particularly beneficial for sports activities in higher-performing children with… Continue reading
July 2015
DROP FOOT: Benefits of FES after stroke are maintained at 42 weeks
Gait speed improvements associated with 30 weeks of functional electrical stimulation (FES) in poststroke patients are maintained at 42 weeks, according to research presented in June at the 2015 ISPO World Congress. Continue reading
July 2015
OSTEOARTHRITIS: Orthotic options for knee OA focus on compliance issues
New research presented in June at the 2015 ISPO Congress underscored the potential long-term benefits of valgus knee bracing for relief of medial knee osteoarthritis (OA) symptoms when patient compliance is high, while… Continue reading
July 2015
PROSTHETICS: Foot strike pattern can affect load in amputee runners too
Foot strike pattern during running affects loading in unilateral lower limb amputees, as it does in able-bodied runners, according to research from the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Continue reading
July 2015
Improving compliance with diabetic footwear
Convincing patients with diabetes to wear their prescribed footwear presents a challenge, but experts agree that encouraging patient compliance requires lower extremity clinicians to look beyond the disease and gain insight into the person being treated.
By Shalmali Pal Continue reading
July 2015
Intricacies of metatarsal stress fracture treatment
A growing body of research on metatarsal stress fractures is helping lower extremity practitioners manage both the biomechanical and physiological effects of these frustrating injuries, as well as the expectations of patients who are eager to return to activity.
By Erin Boutwell Continue reading
June 2015
The future of footwear and orthoses is here. Now what?
A shift in tone was apparent at this year’s Ortho Technology Forum (OTF), and not just because the focus of the event has been expanded to include design and manufacturing technologies for footwear as well as foot orthoses… Continue reading
June 2015
The argument for library-based orthotic prescription
Much of the discussion at the 2015 Ortho Technology Forum (OTF) focused on various ways in which the future of the orthotic industry will require adapting to new technologies. But the event’s final presenter challenged… Continue reading
May 2015
Allard USA: Get Back Up Today!
The most common treatment is an ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) which provides support to the ankle and foot. The AFO helps control foot drop and ankle instability by providing a better sense of balance. Continue reading
May 2015
Kinetic Research: Carbon Fiber Orthopedic Braces
Composite material advances over the past 10 years have improved the design creativity and possibility for clinical orthotists worldwide. In the past, an ankle orthosis required a completely solid and fully encompassing design in order to attain the mechanical control… Continue reading
May 2015
Custom Composite: Specializing in advanced composite applications for the O&P industry
The mechanics behind our family of Charcot Marie-Tooth (CMT) braces centers around the medial strut design. The medial strut folds into the footplate in the arch area, making the brace very stable when patients are in midstance… Continue reading
May 2015
SureStep: A Revolutionary Bracing Concept
SureStep manufactures a variety of products but is primarily known for the SMO (Supra malleolar orthosis) and pediatric AFOs (ankle foot orthosis)… Continue reading
May 2015
Diane Covington: AFOs positively impact every aspect of her dynamic life
It’s a happy coincidence that Diane Covington lives just a few miles from a New Balance store, for two reasons. The brand’s sporty and comfort styles are perfectly suited for Covington’s life on the go.
By Jordana Bieze Foster Continue reading
May 2015
Brennan Ryan: With AFOs and cool sneakers, this 10-year-old can be a regular kid
If you ask Brennan Ryan what his favorite after-school activities are, he’ll tell you, “Basketball, baseball, flag football, and Cub scouts.” Ask him what his favorite part of school is and he’ll answer…
By Robyn Parets Continue reading
