Essential to the beauty of dance are the demanding biomechanics of the dancer, particularly at the foot and ankle. Injuries and pain are almost inevitable. But an understanding of the underlying issues—artistic as well as anatomical—can help practitioners keep dancers on their toes for as long as possible. By Jeffrey A. Russell, PhD, ATC

I grew up in Portland, OR. I live in New England. That means I root against all of the Los Angeles Lakers. But I do find Kobe Bryant’s footwear fascinating.  Jordana Bieze Foster, Editor

New research suggests that serious injuries occur as frequently in off-road motorcycle racing as they do in football, but such injuries occur less frequently in riders who wear knee braces.This may be why, although it is not well studied, knee bracing is widespread among off-road motorcycle riders. By Wesley M.Gladin, BS, Robert A.Cates, BA, and Mark ...

Adult acquired flatfoot deformity, primarily posterior tibial tendon dysfunction, in many cases can be successfully managed with conservative treatment modalities including early immobilization, long-term bracing, physi­cal therapy, and anti-inflam­matory medications. By Robert W. Mendicino, DPM, FACFAS, Alan R. Catanzariti, DPM, FACFAS, and Kyle S. Peterson, DPM

Gait retraining can potentially alter walking biomechanics such that knee adduction moment is reduced, an inexpensive off­loading option that does not require device wear. Gait modification studies to date have primarily focused on foot rotation, trunk lean, and knee medialization. By Michael A. Hunt, PT, PhD

Researchers are investigating why some people develop chronic ankle instabilty after a sprain while others seem to heal normally. Biomechanical differences between the two cohorts may offer clues to the mechanisms underlying CAI and enhance preventive efforts. By Adam Rosen, MS, ATC, and Cathleen N. Brown, PhD, ATC

Experts continue to debate the relative merits of the Semmes-Weinstein mono­fila­ment for assessing diabetic foot ulcer risk, including how many sites on the foot should be tested, and which ones. But it’s tough to argue with the technique’s cost-effectiveness. By Cary Groner

Some dorsiflexion gains are surprising – A recent study validates the long-held clinical belief that, in appropriately se­lected children with cerebral palsy (CP), ankle dorsiflexion during swing phase improves after ankle plantar flexor surgery and that postsurgical rehabilitation should include a ...

Even if they have a device prescription, individuals with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease tend to put off wearing ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) until walking function is impaired, according to research conducted at St. George’s University of London and Kingston University, London. Investigators compared presentation ...

Improving gait and coordination among stroke survivors should involve developing rehabilitation techniques that target abnormal muscle timing characteristics, suggests recent research from the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center, OH. The study, e-published in December by Rehabilitation Practice and Research, included ...

Study delves beyond plantar pressure – Recent research confirms that peak shear and peak pressure points occur at different locations under the foot, shedding some light on the role of shear in diabetic foot ulceration. By Emily Delzell

A Dutch study suggests that metatarsal pads relieve metatar­salgia pain by creating space between metatarsal heads in addition to reducing plantar pressure. Researchers from St. Maartens Clinic in Nijmegen, the Netherlands, performed motion analysis on 16 feet with primary metatarsalgia and ...

Wearing thick-soled shoes increases the magnitude of peroneus longus muscle activity required to resist an unanticipated foot inversion, elevating the risk of an ankle sprain, according to research from the University of Dundee in Scotland. Investigators used electromyography to assess peroneus ...

High-impact history benefits runners – Preliminary findings from Stanford Uni­versity add to the growing body of evi­dence suggesting that playing soccer or basketball at an early age helps lower the risk of stress fracture in athletes who go on to ...

When an athlete jumps to catch a ball overhead, the path of the ball relative to the dominant leg affects landing mechanics in ways that could increase risk of anterior cruciate ligament injury, according to research from Griffith University in ...

A corset-style ankle foot orthosis is more effective than a controlled ankle motion walker for offloading the distal lower extremity, according to pilot data from Colorado investigators that could have implications for management of tibial stress fractures in athletes. Researchers from ...

The AFO Vacuum Box from BioSculptor Corporation is designed for capturing weight-bearing or semi weight-bearing scans for products such as AFOs, foot orthotics, and custom shoes. The vacuum box is used when the most accurate scans are needed, as it allows ...

DynaFlange, new from Langer Biomechanics, is a patent pending rearfoot posting system that dynamically manages pathologic motion during gait. First, DynaFlange addresses the deleterious effects of pronation by storing ground reaction forces, then dynamically returns the stored energy when needed ...

In response to customer demand, Euro International’s product line now includes Masterflex Black, exclusively distributed by the company for applications such as the production of flexible inner sockets. The color and material properties are designed to help increase productivity and ...

Tensegrity Prosthetics has announced the availability of its K3 Promoter, a prosthetic foot designed to give amputees the flexibility and mobility of a natural limb. Anecdotally, testers of the K3 Promoter report a responsive and lively feeling associated with its ...

The STS Company of Mill Valley, CA, announces the release of a new and improved line of tubular polyester/Lycra casting socks. The new material provides a detailed, accurate, and precise negative mold of the lower extremity (foot, leg and thigh) ...

MD Orthopaedics offers the Ponseti AFO Toe Stilt, Ponseti AFO/PFS, and Ponseti  AFO/PFS Toe Stilt, all compatible with the Ponseti abduction bar. The AFO Toe Stilt features a severe permanent wedge to keep the foot in 10° of dorsiflexion during standing. The ...

Spenco Medical Corporation has introduced 2nd Skin AqualHeal Hydrogel Bandages, an easy-to-use, durable first aid solution that combines a sterile dressing and cooling technology to speed healing for a variety of wounds. A waterproof polyurethane film adhesive seals out bacteria ...

The Platinum Trim Gauntlet, now available from PAL Health Technologies, is a slender, less rigid alternative to the standard Platinum Gauntlet. The custom AFO is designed for management of such conditions as PTTD and chronic ankle instability, and in particular ...