Cover Story
Incline walking on a treadmill results in less frontal plane knee loading and more gluteus, hamstrings, quadriceps, and triceps surae muscle activation than level walking, and therefore may benefit patients with knee osteoarthritis or those who have undergone knee replacement.
By Henry Wang, PhD, Mason Haggerty, MS, Clark Dickin, PhD, and Jennifer Popps, PhD
Editor Message
Baseball’s approach to preventing arm injuries so far has been to try to limit loads on the arm itself. But more and more evidence seems to suggest some of the prevention efforts should be focused further down the kinetic chain.
By Jordana Bieze Foster, Editor
Special Education Series: Pediatric Hypotonia
Mobility and More
At the most basic level, mobility is about getting from point A to point B. But, for many children with hypotonia, it’s about so much more.
It’s about independence. It’s about confidence. It’s about maintaining strength, fitness, and healthy bones. It’s about not being excluded from activities enjoyed by their typically developing peers.
Sponsored by an educational grant from SureStep.
Special Educational Series: Pediatrics
If an intervention has the potential to treat or prevent lower extremity issues in a child, clinicians and parents are naturally inclined to implement it as early as possible. It makes sense intuitively, and in many cases early intervention is supported by published evidence. But in other cases the picture is less clear.
Departments
It happened about two years ago while I was playing a friendly game of basketball with my teenage sons and friends. I was 49 years old and never felt like slowing down. Like most guys, while playing ball, we would imitate our favorite players.
By Joseph Hayward
Tuning of ankle foot orthoses (AFOs) and AFO-footwear combinations can significantly improve gait in patients with neuromuscular impairments. Even so, some pa- tients still prefer their untuned devices, which has led researchers and clinicians to reexamine their approach to intervention.
By Cary Groner
Despite excellent subjective outcomes following Achilles tendon repair, significant plantar flexion and dorsiflexion strength deficits often persist. However, modern trends in postoperative rehabilitation represent a progression toward a more functional strength recovery.
By David A. Porter, MD, PhD, Kirk Cleland, MD, and Angela M. Rund, MEd, ATC
Many studies have shown an effect of foot orthoses on biomechanical function in patients with flexible flatfoot, but few studies have focused on patient-centered outcomes. There is a need to investigate the effect of foot orthoses on pain and fatigue in these individuals over time.
By Sarah A. Curran, PhD
Research suggests that when trying on athletic shoes in a retail store, an individual’s perceptions of shoe mass primarily come from handling the shoes and less (if at all) from test-wearing them. In addition, the foot’s perception of shoe mass does not appear to improve with practice.
By Joel G. Greenya, BS, Stephen J. Slade, BS, ...
US Olympic Committee researchers have found that peristaltic pulse compression of the lower extremities may provide a means of enhancing the rheological properties of the lower extremities without resorting to extreme temperatures, expensive body work, or stretching.
By William A Sands, PhD, FACSM, CSCS
News
In the Moment: O&P
By Samantha Rosenblum and Emily Delzell
It was a first for Las Vegas physical therapist Edward Dolegowski, PT: An amputee reported that her prosthesis felt like her leg.
By Samantha Rosenblum
Use of a weight-bearing cast for the nonoperative treatment of acute Achilles tendon rupture produces outcomes that are at least equivalent to traditional nonweight-bearing casts, according to a randomized controlled trial from researchers in Auckland, New Zealand.
By Emily Delzell
People who use an ankle foot orthosis (AFO) after a stroke retain significant deficits in neuromuscular function and blood flow many years later, according to research from the University of Oklahoma in Oklahoma City.
By Emily Delzell
Market Mechanics
By Emily Delzell
Products
Spenco introduces new Ironman insoles, specifically engineered to help endurance athletes conquer challenges. Available in Ironman Race and Ironman Train configurations, the insoles offer a combination of cushioning…
Powerstep’s new Square Toe Post-Op Shoe is designed to provide protection for the foot following surgery or trauma. A rigid heel counter and ankle strap hold the foot securely in place to control motion in the shoe.
Arcopedico USA takes a refreshing look at women’s comfort footwear with its cork sandals. The sandals feature bright hues, flirty wedges, leather and knit straps, anti-slip thermal rubber, and lightweight soles made…
New from Footmaxx is the Comfortmaxx hand-crafted custom orthosis line featuring 100% merino wool and designed with comfort in mind. Merino wool helps keep feet warm in cold months and cool in hot months…
Orthoflex, new from Allied O&P Supply, is a flexible, formable thermoplastic material designed for below-knee socket liners, above-knee socket liners, ankle foot orthosis cushioning, inner booties, shock absorption…
Among the newest additions to the Impacto Protective Products foot protection line are Ergo Mates. Ergo Mates are designed to reduce fatigue, pain, and discomfort when walking or standing for long periods.
Coral introduces Coral Joint & Collagen Support, a supplement engineered to help maintain bone health and joint flexibility. Ingredients include above-the-sea EcoSafe coral minerals and vitamins D3, K1, and…
The new EVO Quatro Ankle Stabilizer from Med Spec is a low-profile version of the EVO Ankle Stabilizer. The Quatro’s boot design has been modified to reduce the coverage around the midfoot and allow for…
