April 2014

LER04-14coverCover Story


Cleat Smarts: Foot posture and injury risk in pitchers
Cleat Smarts: Foot posture and injury risk in pitchers
Injuries in baseball are fairly common, with an incidence of 5.8 injuries per 1000 athletic game exposures and 1.9 injuries per 1000 athletic practice exposures in the collegiate ranks. By Luis A. Feigenbaum, PT, DPT, SCS, ATC, LAT, CSCS; Kathryn E. Roach, PT, PhD; Chris Vitolo PT, DPT; Victoria Bown, PT, DPT; Sabine Gempel, PT, DPT; ...

Editor Message


Out on a limb: Teachings from Boston
Out on a limb: Teachings from Boston
As emotional as any tragic event is its first anniversary. New Yorkers know. Residents of New Orleans know. The families in Newtown, CT, know. Now it’s Boston’s turn. By Jordana Bieze Foster, Editor

Departments


Patient Perspective: Taking an alternative path to chronic foot pain relief
Patient Perspective: Taking an alternative path to chronic foot pain relief
After a year in a fracture boot with a broken foot, I thought my ordeal was over. I was wrong. The broken bone in my foot, sustained after a fall down a staircase in my home, had occurred midway down the fifth metatarsal bone below my little toe—a site that is notoriously difficult to heal, ...
Cyclists and foot orthoses: A unique set of challenges
Cyclists and foot orthoses: A unique set of challenges
Finding the right orthotic design starts with the space limitations presented by cycling shoes, but the challenges for lower extremity practitioners don’t end there. Factors to consider when prescribing foot orthoses include biomechanics, skill level, cycling discipline, and bike technology. By P.K. Daniel
Foam rolling: Early study findings suggest benefits
Foam rolling: Early study findings suggest benefits
Foam rolling is a relatively new therapeutic approach, but early research suggests that it can help improve range of motion and muscle performance and aid in recovery after exercise. Questions remain, however, about the extent to which the effects involve myofascial mechanisms. By Duane C. Button, PhD, CSEP-CEP, and David G. Behm, PhD
Foot and ankle strategies for patients at risk for falls
Foot and ankle strategies for patients at risk for falls
As a result of limitations in the fall prevention research to date, investigators and clinicians are often left to make their best guesses about the effect of foot and ankle interventions based on the effect such strategies have on issues related to falls, rather than on falls themselves. By Cary Groner
Vitamin D and knee OA: Many theories, few answers
Vitamin D and knee OA: Many theories, few answers
Several patient populations with an increased risk of knee osteoarthritis also are at increased risk for vitamin D deficiency, and research suggests vitamin D levels may be related to knee OA symptoms. The exact nature of the relationship, however, remains perplexing. By Greg Gargiulo

News


In the Moment: Diabetes

By Jordana Bieze Foster

Patients as people: Experts emphasize personal approach
Patients as people: Experts emphasize personal approach
The patient in the video, an older woman with diabetic neuropathy, is a dog lover. Her dog-shaped earrings give this away. And this just might be the most important thing for the clinicians treating her to know.
Extended analysis confirms ironic effect of diabetic foot cost cutting
An Arizona state Medicaid policy change designed to cut costs by eliminating podiatry services for diabetic foot infection had the opposite effect, according to a March presentation that included an extended analysis of previously reported data.
IWGDF training programs take hold throughout Central, South America
As the International Working Group on the Diabetic Foot (IWGDF) undergoes a transition in leadership, the organization is reporting significant progress in implementing its Train the Foot Trainer (TtFT) program in Central and South America.

In the Moment: Sports medicine

By P.K. Daniel

Predicting more than risk: FMS may also have performance link
Predicting more than risk: FMS may also have performance link
The Functional Movement Screen (FMS) is best known as a predictor of future injury in athletes, but a recent two-year study of elite track and field athletes now suggests a relationship between high scores, which indicate fewer deficits, and improved performance.
Cost-effectiveness study favors universal athlete training for ACL injury prevention
New research supports universal neuromuscular training of all young athletes—not just those at risk—as the most cost-effective and practical way to prevent anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries.
Joint stiffness and negative joint work change with footfall pattern in runners
Runners who switch foot strike patterns experience short-term changes in joint stiffness and negative joint work, regardless of whether a runner’s habitual pattern involves the forefoot or rearfoot, according to research from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Market Mechanics

By Emily Delzell


Products


G-walk
 Gait Analysis
G-walk
 Gait Analysis
The G-walk, now available from Rehabilitation Technical Components, is a pocket-sized, wireless gait lab for user-friendly evaluation of spatiotemporal gait parameters. To assess a patient’s gait sym­metry, just strap on the cellphone-sized…
Fascia
 Massagers
Fascia
 Massagers
Franklin Fascia Massagers stand out from the self-massage crowd with their spiky exteriors. The spikes are designed to stimulate sensory receptors and increase circulation, while the kneading motion massages away tension and mobilizes connective tissue.
Rock Sauce 
Lotion
Rock Sauce 
Lotion
Rocktape, known for its kinesiology tape products, has announced the release of Rock Sauce, a topical lotion for isolated muscle pain and joint soreness. The active ingredients in the lotion’s formulation include 20% methyl salicylate…
Soft Silicone
 Express Liner
Soft Silicone
 Express Liner
WillowWood’s new Express Liner features its new softer durometer silicone, engineered to replicate the performance and comfort levels of thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) for amputees who are used to wearing TPE prosthetic liners.
Flexible Children’s
 Footwear
Flexible Children’s
 Footwear
Keeping Pace has added to its line of children’s orthopedic footwear with the new KPLCW model, which features a newly designed flexible bottom sole. The new footwear features a double-depth, triple-width fit to accommodate ankle foot orthoses.
MVI Footcare
 Podiatric Chairs
MVI Footcare
 Podiatric Chairs
MVI Footcare is proud to announce that its expanded equipment line now includes Algeos USA Podiatric Chairs. The Nova Eden, Nova Lune, and Nova Aire podiatric chairs are multifunctional, affordable, and designed with the patient…
Step Sensor 
Vibration Therapy
Step Sensor 
Vibration Therapy
The Step Sensor is the first offering in Brownmed’s new line of vibration therapy products under the Intellinetix brand. The Step Sensor is a low-
profile, discreet device designed to harness the power of vibration to improve balance…
Incredibrace
 Sports Wrap
Incredibrace
 Sports Wrap
Star Nutrition announces the latest addition to its popular Incrediwear line, the Incredibrace elastic bandage wrap. Applications for the Incredibrace sports wrap include ankle sprains, tendinitis, and knee injuries, as well as general joint discomfort or pain.
Flexible Ulcer 
Dressing
Flexible Ulcer 
Dressing
Mölnlycke Health Care US announces the release of Mepilex Border Flex, a flexible bordered dressing for pressure ulcers, foot ulcers, and leg ulcers that is designed to fit the challenging contours of the human body.
GlideWear 
Liner Patch
GlideWear 
Liner Patch
Tamarack Habilitation Technologies introduces the newest addition to its line of friction- and shear-reducing products, the GlideWear Prosthetic Liner Patch. Featuring a patented dual-layer, low-friction fabric technology, the GlideWear patch…