Plantar pressure analysis studies are demonstrating the effectiveness of met pads for forefoot offloading and helping clinicians determine which patients are most likely to benefit from different pad designs and placement strategies. By Greg Gargiulo

As a guest model on The Price is Right, Amy Purdy had little opportunity to showcase her intelligence, her athleticism, or her dancing skills. But—thanks to a very short, very tight red dress—she did have ample opportunity to show off her legs. Jordana Bieze Foster, Editor

In 2008 I walked the 500-mile Camino de Santiago, the medieval pilgrimage route through northern Spain leading to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. It was my first long distance walk, and because I completed it without injury, pain, or a blister, I fancied myself a walking superhero, immune to suffering or discomfort. By Laura Potts

Baseball players at all skill levels routinely suffer from foot and ankle injuries, with position players being afflicted more often than pitchers or catchers. Making the correct initial diagnosis without delay can lead to more rapid and effective treatment, rehabilitation, and return to play. By Gabriel V. Gambardella, DPM, Jeffrey Delott, DPM, and Zachary J. Korwek

When commercially available active video games are used in rehabilitation settings, often the level of challenge does not match the patient’s ability level. Customized interventions can address these limitations while capitalizing on the fun and motivating aspects of the technology. By Rachel Proffitt, OTD, OTR/L

In both the short term and the long term, anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction produced greater quality of life improvements at a lower cost compared with rehabilitation only, suggesting that limiting access to ACL reconstruction may be harmful to patients and costly to society. By Richard C. Mather III, MD, and Lane Koenig, PhD

Clinicians and researchers are increasingly utilizing exercise protocols focused on improving proprioception, range of motion, and strength to influence the more active and functional deficits that have been associated with chronic ankle instability in the literature. By Mark A. Feger, MEd, ATC, and Jay Hertel, PhD, ATC

Torque deficits may put limbs at risk – Changes in muscle strength in athletes who have experienced a concussion may help explain the apparent association between concussion and lower extremity injury… By Jordana Bieze Foster

Knee stiffness during landing in patients who have had anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is associated with biomarkers for cartilage degeneration, suggesting that a stiff landing technique may increase the risk of knee osteoarthritis… By Jordana Bieze Foster

Contrary to popular opinion among soccer players, ankle bracing and taping do not adversely affect soccer-specific athletic performance in experienced athletes, according to research presented in May at the annual ACSM meeting. By Jordana Bieze Foster

Surgery may restore sensation at great toe – Although some research has described sensory nerve dysfunction as a potential complication of hallux valgus surgery, most patients undergoing the procedure have measureable preoperative deficits—and most of these… By Emily Delzell

A detailed look at factors related to emotional distress in patients with painful diabetic neuropathy found that, among other issues, being socially isolated increases anxiety and can worsen individuals’ experience of pain and quality of life. By Emily Delzell

Patients with multiple sclerosis and foot drop find that both ankle foot orthoses (AFOs) and functional electrical stimulation (FES) have pros and cons, but that, overall, the positives of both devices outweigh the negatives, according to research from Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh, UK. By Jordana Bieze Foster

Allard USA offers its new Multi­Motion joint, a dynamic corrective system joint designed to ensure fast, efficient, and effective treatment of contractures resulting from neurological conditions. MultiMotion features three …

The iWALK2.0 is a hands-free crutch designed to end the pain and inconvenience of conventional crutches. It allows people with lower leg injuries to lead functional, hands-free, pain-free lives during the nonweight-bearing …

Orfitrans Excel from Allied O&P Supply is a new polyethylene (PE) copolymer for ankle and foot orthoses and flexible prosthetic sockets and liners. It comes in black or semitransparent. It has a very low friction that is not …

OPTP’s new Anatomical Roller is designed for core strengthening, balance work, postural reeducation, kinesthetic exercise, spinal stabilization, physical therapy, Pilates, and stretching. The roller’s asymmetrical …

Foot Management is now introducing its Slim Fit Max insole, which is made with durable EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) top and bottom covers for added comfort and shock absorption. This orthotic device has a sturdy …

New on the market, Powerstep’s Dorsal Night Splint offers patients relief from the pain and discomfort associated with plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendinitis. This low profile splint holds the foot in a neutral or …

Tekscan announces the release of new, improved software for its F-Scan in-shoe analysis system. This new software automatically performs an in-depth foot function analysis and generates print-friendly reports at the…

Townsend announces the release of the Nox splint. The Nox (from the Greek word for night) splint is designed for nighttime relief and treatment of plantar fasciitis, fibromatosis, Achilles tendinitis, heel spurs, and foot drop…

Good Blood Flow introduces the CV2, a wellness product designed to increase venous and arterial lower extremity blood flow. In addition to improving circulation, the CV2 can be used to help relieve restless leg …

New from Therafirm is the Ease premium opaque gradient compression line, which complements Knit-Rite’s patented Core-Spun by Therafirm compression socks. Both the gradient compression line and the compression …