Dynamic pressure measurement systems aren’t just for research any more. The technology optimizes outcomes by enabling practitioners to prescribe orthoses that address particular gait abnormalities and to quantify the biomechanical effects. by Cary Groner

Angelina Jolie and I have so much in common – beauty, fame, fortune. But when it comes to flip-flops, that’s where the similarities end. By Jordana Bieze Foster

Rehabilitation science and medicine professionals are realizing that extracorporeal orthotics and prosthetics are sensory as well as functional substitution devices, and that these substitutions are equally important and mutually beneficial. Researchers have identified a high correlation co-efficient between normal body ...

Altering joint alignment is associated with decreased pain and improved function. Researchers are working to explain the mechanisms underlying these effects, particularly with respect to bracing. By Yatin Kirane, D.Orth, PhD; Rebecca Zifchock, PhD; and Howard Hillstrom, PhD

When it comes to diabetic foot ulcers, primary healing is only half the battle. Staggeringly high recurrence rates underscore the need for lower extremity practitioners to continue preventive measures long after the coast appears to be clear. By Cary Groner

Flip-flops might seem to fall under the umbrella of minimalist footwear. But research suggests that walking in flip-flops is far from normal, and that only more structured models can approximate the elusive barefoot-like gait. By Justin F. Shroyer, PhD, CSCS, NSCA-CPT, ...

It’s not uncommon to encounter undiagnosed PAD in patients who have come in for a seemingly unrelated complaint. Understanding the risk factors, diagnostic techniques and treatment options is key. By Steven Miller, DPM

Flatter styles lessen stress on knee By Jordana Bieze Foster The Rhode Island Convention Center was not the place to be wearing high heels during the third week of August, when two studies presented at the annual meeting of the American Society ...

A football player’s perception of a shoe may be related to the amount of lateral loading associated with that shoe during cutting, according to research from Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. Investigators analyzed cutting movements in 17 male teenaged football ...

Practitioners who recommend so-called motion control running shoes may want to think of “control” as a relative term, in light of research demonstrating significant sagittal plane movement of the foot within motion control shoes. Investigators from Northern Arizona ...

Barefoot running seems a solution By Jordana Bieze Foster Despite what you may have heard, researchers are a long way from proving that barefoot runners are less prone to injury than those who run in shoes. But data presented at two conferences ...

A tennis-specific version of the neuromuscular training program developed in Cincinnati could significantly improve performance on the court, according to research published in the September issue of the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. The Sportsmetrics training program ...

Much of the literature on hormones and ligament laxity has focused on the knee, but a study from James Madison University suggests that an interaction between hormone levels and fatigue may also affect laxity at the ankle. Researchers ...

Fall simulations help AK amputees By Jordana Bieze Foster Thanks to an improved ability to simulate falls in the laboratory, researchers are identifying variables that contribute to falls in above-knee amputees and implementing training programs to improve response to tripping. Studies from two ...

A cast-boot ankle foot orthosis decreases plantar pressures under the forefoot more effectively than a total contact cast, but its relative effectiveness for ulcer healing is still a function of compliance, according to research from Washington University ...

The choice of a thick or thin gel liner in transtibial amputees may ultimately come down to personal preference, according to research from Northwestern University in Chicago. Investigators compared two prosthetic gel liners, one 3 mm thick and ...

Gait speed linked to braking force By Jordana Bieze Foster Rigid ankle foot orthoses increase gait speed in hemiplegic stroke patients, but not for the reasons one might think, according to research from the Kessler Foundation Research Center in New Jersey. In a ...

Robot-assisted ankle rehabilitation significantly improves functional mobility in stroke patients, according to research from Northwestern University in Chicago. Researchers customized a continuous passive motion machine to create a portable rehabilitation robot that is used for both passive stretching ...

Functional electrical stimulation of the plantar flexor muscles in addition to the dorsiflexors surprisingly had no effect on mechanical recovery during post-stroke gait in a study performed at the University of Delaware. Researchers analyzed the effects of dorsiflexion ...

Nolaro24 introduces littleSteps, pre-fabricated foot orthoses specifically designed for kids. They deliver prescription based correction closely matching the criteria of traditional UCBL devices. littleSteps provide an affordable alternative to custom orthoses, with same-day dispensing facilitating early intervention. littleSteps orthoses are ...

OrthoLite, a leading supplier of open cell foam insoles in the performance and comfort category, has announces the availability of Fusion style insoles on OrthoLite.com and in partnership with Amazon.com.  Designed to fit all athletic and outdoor shoes or boots, ...

FootGuru offers a full line of products engineered to relieve heel and arch pain, plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, and sore, tired feet. Modeled after the Low Dye strapping technique, Footsprings can be used with or without orthotics and can replace ...

Developed by Ultra Athlete over three years, the Zoom Ankle performance prevention ankle brace is designed to be comfortable to wear in all seasons, provide superior support performance stability, and be applied in seconds.  The design utilizes multi-patented Performathane soft ...

Mephisto has introduced Sano brand footwear, designed to promote a better physique and improved body shape. An integrated power stimulator provides shock-absorption with a built-in stimulator that propels the foot forward. According to the company, the heels, spine, and joints ...

Progressive Health Innovations offers the AFX Ankle Foot Maximizer, a foot-and-ankle strengthening system, featuring patent pending technologies. A variety of resistance bands allow for balanced strengthening through a complete range of motion, from early stage rehabilitation to high-performance athletic training.  ...

The Rebound Air Walker by Ossur is the latest short leg walker in the market. It has been designed with comfort, fit and function in mind.  It features a full circumferential shell and toe bumper to protect patients from re-injury. ...

Pediped introduces Memory Foam Technology (MFT ) in their signature ballet flats and sandals for boys and girls. The responsive and high-density MFT insoles mold to a child’s foot and spring back when pressed, to absorb shock and minimize impact. The MFT ...