It’s no secret by now that traditional flimsy flip flops are associated with gait alterations that can contribute to more serious issues, but for many patients, flip flops are a hard habit to break. A new generation of “comfort” flip flops offers an alternative, but clinicians remain wary. By Shalmali Pal

Anyone watching the injuries accumulate during the most recent National Football League (NFL) preseason might be en­couraged by the league’s  plans to shorten the pre­season from four weeks to three. But the medical literature suggests a much better way to reduce the incidence of preseason injuries. Jordana Bieze Foster, Editor

Research suggests that a simple step-down task has a strong relationship with frontal plane ankle kinematics during walking and jump landing, and may be one method of screening or assessing for increased inversion—and, in turn, increased risk of future ankle sprain—in clinical settings. By Luke Donovan, PhD, ATC; and Mark A. Feger, PhD, ATC

At a symposium in Cape Town, South Africa, an orthotist demonstrated his technique for treating balance issues in patients with peripheral neuropathy using ankle foot orthoses (AFOs), and a team of researchers theorized about evidence-based concepts that could help explain his findings. By Cary Groner

Factors related to joint loading during running contribute to the development of stress fractures in the femoral neck and other lower extremity structures. Research suggests these loading parameters can be reduced by altering running foot strike pattern, stride length, speed, and step rate. By Mark Riebel, PT, DSc, OCS, SCS

Clinical prediction rules (CPRs) are intended to improve patient care, but critics have suggested that—for a number of reasons—the opposite may be true. Lower extremity experts interviewed by are in agreement that, ultimately, even the best CPRs should be only one piece of the clinical puzzle. By Cary Groner

Osteoarthritis (OA) is commonly thought of as a disease that takes decades to manifest. But two new studies suggest some critical aspects of the ankle OA disease process actually develop quite quickly, emphasizing the importance of early intervention. By Jordana Bieze Foster

Pain, swelling, and impaired motion within a year of an ankle sprain are associated with signs of early ankle osteoarthritis (OA), according to research from the Netherlands that could help clinicians identify and intervene early in at-risk patients. By Jordana Bieze Foster

Variations in ankle shape—some related to race—are associated with history of ankle injury, according to research from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill that may have implications related to risk of post-traumatic ankle osteoarthritis (OA). By Jordana Bieze Foster

New research from the Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine in Philadelphia, PA, raises questions about the clinical utility of assessing cuboid height to determine risk of midfoot ulcer development in patients with Charcot neuroarthropathy. By Keith Loria

Surgical correction of midtarsal deformities related to Charcot neuroarthropathy can have a high success rate, but patient comorbidities should be carefully considered, according to research presented in July at the annual meeting of the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society in Seattle. By Jordana Bieze Foster

Statin use may be protective against diabetic foot infection, according to research from Iran published in the July issue of Wounds. By Jordana Bieze Foster

Apex now offers the new Copper Cloud Heavenly Diabetic Socks, designed to provide “heavenly” comfort while helping to reduce the risk of foot ulcers. The socks feature copper yarn, known for its antibacterial, antifungal, and…

Xelero introduces Genesis XPS pedorthic shoes for men and women. The shoes, which have a narrower outsole than the company’s Matrix models for a less-bulky appearance, feature an XPS propulsion…

Nolaro24 introduces the Quad­ra­step E+ orthotic device to its Quadrastep System line, which provides custom-to-foot-type prefabricated foot orthoses as a state of the art alternative to traditional custom orthotic management.

Instavit now offers supplemental vitamin D in a spray delivery system to help improve lower extremity bone health in patients who have difficulty taking supplements in pill form. Referred to informally by the company as the…

New from Elite Orthopaedics is the Pro-Select Lace Up Ankle Brace, which retails for $12. The brace is intended for patients with chronic weak ankles, post ankle trauma, postop ankle…

The new BRD Sport G18 Knee Brace, with anatomically contoured 3D knit construction, now is even more comfortable and easier to apply. The knee sleeve is intended to aid recovery and reduce pain and…

RunScribe is a new wearable sensor system for data-driven runners, coaches, and clinicians to analyze stride. By capturing every foot strike, RunScribe provides a comprehensive view of a runner’s mechanics over the…

Sigvaris now offers three inelastic compression wraps, all featuring an Accutab system that allows clinicians to prescribe a compression level for their patients and allows patients to easily set the correct initial compression…

Designer Protein’s Essential 10 Performance Protein supplement provides nutrients to aid postworkout recovery, alleviate muscle aches, and replenish electrolytes.

New from Arcopedico USA is the Easy Walk Experience Collection of Portuguese-made comfort and travel footwear for active lifestyles, with a lower price point and new fabric technology.