February 2018

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Cover Story


Assessing Limb Length Discrepancy
Assessing Limb Length Discrepancy
Leg-length discrepancy and its sequelae are best considered a syndrome affecting many regions of the body through the closed kinetic chain. Most cases require comprehensive, cross-disciplinary treatment. The authors present a novel scoring system for diagnosis. By Jay Segel, DPM; Susan Sanford, PT, L.Ac, C.SMA; Sally Crawford, MS; and Lori Yarrow, DC, BPE

 

Editorial Memo


Strengthening the Interprofessional Approach to Fall Prevention
Health care professionals who work with older adults are all too familiar with the devastating sequelae of falls, including injury and fear of falling that can lead to activity restriction and further risk of falls. Most worrisome is that death rates from falls have doubled between 2000 and 2014, which highlights the importance of sustaining existing ...

Feature Articles


Patient comfort vs diabetic wound healing: confronting nonadherence associated with removeable offloading devices
Patient comfort vs diabetic wound healing: confronting nonadherence associated with removeable offloading devices
Patient adherence to consistent use of removeable offloading and immobilization devices is central to promote healing and prevent infection in diabetic foot ulcers, yet the tradeoff of removability easily compromises adherence. Choosing and customizing the right device is key. By Barbara Boughton
Implications of asymmetry in the treatment of injured athletes
Implications of asymmetry in the treatment of injured athletes
Given that many uninjured, successful athletes have some degree of asymmetry, how do clinicians interpret asymmetry in athletes recovering from injury? By Cary Groner
Do specialty shoes boost weightlifting performance?
Do specialty shoes boost weightlifting performance?
Sport-specific shoes may protect athletes from injury or enhance their performance. Do specialty weightlifting shoes offer these same benefits? What effect do the shoes have on posture, rearfoot force production, ankle range of motion, the ability to bend the knee deeply,  and other para­meters? Research is mixed. By Jill R. Dorson

LER Pediatrics

Reflections on self-image

The first article I wrote for any LER publication examined the negative impact a therapeutic device can have on self-image, and how this can create a major barrier to patient satisfaction and adherence. (See “Sensitivity to self-image boosts O&P outcomes,” LER, April 2011.)

The article, which focused on adults, looked at findings of research and practitioners’ anecdotal experience that revealed how patients’ feelings about their device—more accurately, their feelings about themselves when they wear a visible orthosis or prosthesis—govern how likely they are to use the device as prescribed.

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Clinical News

In the Moment: Rehabilitation

Exercising arms improves post-stroke walking
Exercising arms improves post-stroke walking
Canadian researchers have demonstrated that that arm exercises—specifically, cycling the arms—improves post-stroke gait. The authors said this is the first study to test the effect of arm training on post-stroke leg function, even years after the event. The results appear in the Journal of Neurophysiology.
TJA patients discharged home alone do well
Patients who live alone had a safe and manageable recovery when discharged directly home after total joint arthroplasty (TJA), according to a prospective study published in The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery.
Researchers target prevention of posttraumatic osteoarthritis
Researchers target prevention of posttraumatic osteoarthritis
Reducing oxidative stress in mitochondria shortly after joint injury may prevent posttraumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA), according to a study published in Science Translational Journal. This discovery is compelling because young, active patients are more likely than older patients to experience these injuries, yet are not…

In the Moment: Sports Medicine

Core weakness may lead to low back pain in runners
Core weakness may lead to low back pain in runners
Deep core-muscle weakness in runners leads to compensation strategies that increase pressure and loading on the spine, which may increase the risk of low back pain, a new analysis demonstrates.
Group urges training exercises to prevent ACL injury
Group urges training exercises to prevent ACL injury
Athletic trainers and healthcare professionals have a fresh set of recommendations to help prevent noncontact and indirect contact anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in athletes and physically active people. The position statement, “Prevention of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury,” from the…

Industry News

By Laura Hochnadel


    New Products


    The Pedors Classic MAX: Shoes For Swollen Feet
    The Pedors Classic MAX: Shoes For Swollen Feet
    The Pedors Classic MAX is the Pedors Classic “supersized”.  The MAX has been designed with a dual strap closure which enables the shoe to open up to allow the foot to placed rather than forced into the shoe.
    Proprioceptive Insoles
    Proprioceptive Insoles
    Naboso Proprioceptive Insoles by Naboso Barefoot Technology bring the power of barefoot science and plantar proprioceptive stimulation to all footwear, regardless of support, cushion, or heel toe drop. Developed by podiatrist and human movement specialist…
    3P Or Not 3P That Is The Question
    3P Or Not 3P That Is The Question
    Whether ’tis nobler in the mind to suffer, The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, Or to take arms against a sea of troubles, And by opposing end them in very comfortable prefabricated inserts.
    Performance Block for Fitness
    Performance Block for Fitness
    OPTP has launched the Performance Block, a foam support tool for use in fitness training, yoga, Pilates, and physical  Therapy. Performance Block’s unique  patented “dip” shape supports the user during a variety of exercises and helps promote improved strength and functioning throughout the body.
    Redesigned Original AFO Assist
    Redesigned Original AFO Assist
    The Original AFO Assist from Home Heart Beats has been redesigned for the user’s greater convenience. The Original AFO Assist facilitates one-handed donning of AFOs and shoes for those with limited mobility, including patients with multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, and other physical challenges.
    Bandage Replacement System
    Bandage Replacement System
    As reported in the literature self-adjustable tension tabs are 30% faster than bandage wrapping. The Compreflex Reduce Bandage Replacement System from Sigvaris requires 6 simple steps, making it an easy cut-to-fit inelastic product for decongestive therapy, in place of a bandage.
    Zero-Tool Prosthetic Quick
    Zero-Tool Prosthetic Quick
    With improvements in prosthetic technology, more amputees are becoming involved in extreme sports and activities. This means various legs for each diverse activity. The Sergius PQR-15 from Sergius Industries is the first lower-extremity prosthetic quick release that requires no tools to operate.
    Darco Peg Assist
    Darco Peg Assist
    The Darco Peg Assist Insole is the premier off the shelf product for offloading of wounds of the foot and post operative site pressure relief. The Peg Assist features removable pegs that effectively offload the plantar aspect of the foot.
    Thermal Vent Heel-Rite
    Thermal Vent Heel-Rite
    The Swede-O Thermal Vent Heel-Rite support is designed to help relieve plantar fasciitis pain and discomfort. Users adjust heel straps to provide optimal support to the plantar fascia ligament. The Heel-Rite fits comfortably in most shoes.
    Solid-Color Transfers
    Solid-Color Transfers
    Cascade Dafo, creators of the original Dynamic Ankle Foot Orthosis (DAFO), has launched a line of solid-color transfers for its custom braces. Patients can choose from 8 new color options and pair them with any of Cascade’s strap and padding designs and colors.