The military – a wellness utopia of active and healthy young adults who must maintain fitness and weight standards to remain in good standing. Personnel medical histories are part of vast military databases that practitioners and ...

For centuries, the Greeks set the bar for the rest of the world to follow—in architecture, in literature, in medicine. Now they appear to be setting a new kind of example in health care. But we can only ...

Clinicians are already embracing carbon-fiber ankle foot orthoses, which provide a dynamic assist and may even help strengthen calf muscles in patients with foot drop. Now, slowly, research is exploring how these devices can best be used. by ...

Researchers have explored numerous offloading strategies to decrease plantar pressures in patients with diabetes, but few have studied whether making a deliberate change to a patient’s walking pattern might have a similar effect on pressure distribution. by Mansoo Ko, PhD

Evidence suggests that calf muscle stretching, whether manually or with the aid of a brace or splint, can help alleviate plantar fasciitis pain. What’s less clear is which protocol is most effective. By Neena K Sharma, PT, PhD, CMPT, and Gurpreet ...

Nowhere are the effects of aging on gait mechanics and neuromuscular control more apparent than on the stairs, an all- too-common site of fall-related injuries in older adults. Prevention starts with understanding the unique demands of stair ascent and descent. By ...

Preoperative exercise has been shown to improve total knee arthroplasty outcomes, but may not be feasible in patients with severe pain. Bracing and other offloading methods may be able to help. By John Kenney, CO, and Robert Hamblen, MD

Six months may be too soon to replace – Diabetic insoles may not need to be replaced as frequently as previously thought, according to research from the U.K. presented in September at the second International Foot and Ankle ...

Plantar intrinsic foot muscles associated with plantar fasciitis have significantly smaller cross sectional area than those in healthy feet, according to research from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, MA.

Children treated for clubfoot as infants grow up to be active 10-year-olds who can keep pace with their peers during almost all activities, according to research from the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children in Dallas.

Altered activation isn’t just at the ankle – Two studies presented at the second International Foot and Ankle Biomechanics conference add to the evidence that treatment of chronic ankle instability should focus on improving feed-forward neuromuscular control ...

Strength training focused on the pronation and supination affects rearfoot motion in runners to a greater extent than traditional plantar- and dorsiflexion training, according to research from the University of Duisburg-Essen in Germany.

Gender differences in leg alignment and muscle activation during a soccer kick may in turn help explain gender differences in knee injury risk, according to research from the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City.

The Ankle Foot Maximizer (AFX) from Progressive Health Innovations can significantly improve performance in college basketball players, according to research from the University of British Columbia presented in September at the International Foot and Ankle Biomechanics (i-FAB) meeting. Seven players completed ...

Researchers, engineers, and practitioners interested in gait analysis convened at the i-FAB meeting in Seattle to discuss and refine an international consensus statement on standardization of  pressure measurement devices that is currently in development. The initiative, which has the support of ...

In honor of Pancreatic Cancer Month, JMS Plastics will donate a portion of the November sales of its new purple materials: Neolon, J-foam HR EVA, and lavender swirl EVA. Purple is the official color of Pancreatic Cancer Month. Qualifying sales will ...

At its Celebrate the Nations reception in September, Physicians for Peace honored the many organizations and individuals behind its ongoing efforts in Haiti. Mary Anne Kramer-Urner, PT, the organization’s first volunteer at the Haitian Amputee Clinic at Albert Schweitzer Memorial Hospital ...

Bob Kramer, owner of Saddle Brook, NJ-based Levy & Rappel, died on Sept. 25 after a long battle with prostate cancer. Kramer, a retired dentist, bought the orthotics company in 1993 and embraced its longstanding commitment to individual customer attention. “Levy & ...

The FitFlop flip flop, which has been anecdotally reported to reduce lower extremity and low back pain, significantly alters foot motion and loading, according to research presented at the i-FAB meeting in September. In 17 asymptomatic female subjects, researchers from the ...

The Board of Certification/Accreditation, International, announced in September the launch of its new website, www.bocinternational.org. The new design makes it fast and easy for visitors to obtain information on BOC, certification, and facility accreditation. It also provides directories of certificants and ...

The anterior cruciate ligament experts at Cincinnati Childrens Hospital will host a one-day ACL workshop on Nov. 6, covering injury mechanisms, screening, prevention, and rehabilitation. Speakers will include Christopher Kaeding, MD, head team physician for the Ohio State University Buckeyes, as ...

Kano Labs has introduced the PF3X prescription foot orthosis. The PF3X is built utilizing soldered layer technology wherein a Blackmod thermoresin is used to produce a one piece integrated shell with variable degrees of flex throughout the orthotic. The PF3X ...

One of the company’s most advanced products, the Zamst A2-DX ankle brace features more than 22 parts and 18 different materials. The A2-DX’s unique rigid guards restrict inversion and eversion, while the X-straps provide enhanced anterior and medial stability, a ...

NutriNerve offers its new NutriNerve Supplement Therapy for patients suffering from neuropathy. Ingredients include alpha lipoic acid (ALA), gamma linolenic acid (GLA), and benfotiamine, each of which has been shown to improve neuropathic symptoms. ALA has been reported to improve ...

Spenco Medical Corporation announces the general availability of the PolySorb Total Support Sandal for both men and women. For the first time, the contours of the Spenco Total Support insole have been developed into a supportive, stylish, slip-on sandal. Spenco ...

Described by the company as “the human shock absorber”, Strutz is a line of arch supports that is designed to reduce stress and pressure on active joints, relieve plantar fasciitis pain, and lift fallen arches. The Strutz line includes the ...

PI Professional Therapy Products offers the CP2 Ankle Boot Cold Compression. The ankle boot is designed to provide both cold therapy and compression to decrease swelling and promote healing. The product is constructed with zipper closure, eliminating the need for ...

Pro-Tec Athletics offers Pro-Tec Foam Rollers, designed for use in stretching, promoting flexibility, and myofascial release. The high density foam roller stretches muscles and tendons, breaks down soft tissue adhesion, and soothes tight fascia while increasing blood flow and circulation ...

The Interactive Foot and Ankle DVD-ROM from Primal Pictures is a comprehensive and detailed DVD-ROM image library and reference tool for an in-depth view of foot and ankle anatomy. Users can choose from hundreds of highly detailed and labeled views ...

Designed for people with limited or no use of their lower extremities, Maddak’s new Leg Loop Leg Lift helps patients to safely reposition the leg and foot while reducing the chance of dropping the affected limb, which could cause bruising ...

Ouchless Technologies introduces new patented Ankle Shield Pads designed to eliminate inflammation and speed recovery after ankle injury. When used with a standard tape job or brace, the pads also guard against inversion sprains. The contoured pad fits comfortably over ...

Sof Sole announces the new Airr performance insole, engineered with special air pocket cushioning technology to create a better running experience for both amateur and professional athletes. The design applies the concept of air bag technology to the foot, with ...

FitFlop offers classic short and tall Mukluks equipped with an ergonomically shaped, muscle-toning Microwobbleboard midsole and a breathable, deluxe sheepskin upper. FitFlop footwear is biomechanically engineered to help tone and tighten leg muscles during walking, based on the Microwobbleboard technology ...