Healthcare education materials for patients are consistently written at a reading level too advanced for a significant number of people–a trend that affects all aspects of lower extremity care and can adversely affect clinical outcomes. By Hank Black

The Internet and social media have transformed health advocates’ ability to disseminate educational information, which has the potential to substantially improve outcomes across all healthcare disciplines. By Jordana Bieze Foster

The frontal and sagittal plane gait bio­mechanics associated with progression to total joint replacement in patients with knee osteoarthritis, particularly variables related to sustained loading, may be promising… By Cheryl Hubley-Kozey, PhD, and Gillian Hatfield, PT, PhD

Study findings suggest that increased loading rates and tibial acceleration are associated with an increased risk of sustaining a tibial stress fracture. Interventions directed at reducing these impact… By CPT Jamie B. Morris, DPT, OCS, CSCS, and LTC Donald L. Goss, PT, PhD, OCS, ATC

Given that older women are at increased risk for osteoporosis, an increased incidence of fifth metatarsal fractures with increasing age in women suggests that such injuries could serve as an early point of entry into osteoporosis treatment and fracture prevention. By David Beck, MD, Justin Kane, MD, and David Pedowitz, MD   

Research utilizing contrast-enhanced ultrasound suggests that, although cryo­therapy effectively decreases the pain associated with exercise-related muscle damage, those symptomatic effects are not associated with decreased blood flow in the affected skeletal muscle. By Noelle M. Selkow, PhD, ATC, and Susan A. Saliba, PhD, MPT, ATC

With evidence-based protocols in hand, practitioners can feel more comfortable clinically integrating surface electromyography (sEMG) assessment, creating more sophisticated sEMG treatment protocols, and demonstrating the effectiveness of interventions. By Rachelle Bordlee, sDPT, and Christopher Kevin Wong, PT, PhD

Although existing anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury prevention programs have been successful at reducing the incidence of ACL injury, a new study suggests that tailoring interventions based on four risk profile subtypes could be more effective.

Individuals with femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) demonstrate alterations in foot mechanics as well as hip mechanics, a finding that may have implications for orthotic management of this population, according to an Israeli study.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has no added value for predicting how soon athletes can return to sport after acute hamstring injury compared with predictions based only on patient history and clinical examination, according to a recent study.

Patients with diabetic neuropathy and hallux rigidus (HR) undergoing partial amputation of the hallux are 7.7 times more likely to need reamputation than their counterparts without HR, according to research from Georgetown University in Washington, DC.

Nearly two thirds of patients with diabetic foot osteomyelitis heal with medical management alone, with patients with metatarsal site infection most likely to require amputation, according to research from the UK.

Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) cost $8.78 billion per year in emergency department (ED) care and subsequent inpatient admissions, with the rural poor at particularly high risk for serious complications, according to…

Ease gradient compression hosiery from Therafirm is designed to promote better blood flow, prevent swelling, and relieve tired, achy legs and feet and to be donned with ease by people with limited mobility or dexterity. The soft, breathable…

Arcopedico USA offers new comfort boots and flats for fall and winter 2015. Claire is a classic riding boot with a 14″ soft leather shaft, a wide toe box, detailed stitching, two adjus­table calf buckles, a 1″ heel, and an antimicrobial, cushioned insole.

Sols has released a new orthotic design with the company’s signature Stabilized Heel Cup. The Stabilized Heel Cup feature, intended for patients who overpronate or underpronate, helps improve ankle stability and alignment by…

The new KLM Brace from KLM Laboratories is a custom-molded gauntlet-style ankle foot orthosis (AFO) specifically designed to stabilize the lower extremity, improve mobility, reduce pain, and decrease the risk of falls in patients with instability…

La Pointique International offers the new LP EmbioZ Ankle Stabilizer Socks in regular (pictured) and calf lengths. The sock design features a Heel Lock strap to support and stabilize the ankle joint, helping to reduce the risk of ankle sprain.

The Helli Dynamic Walking Shoe from Waldlaufer USA is designed for people suffering from plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, hallux limitus, or metatarsal pain. The mild rocker sole supports the arch while gently propelling the foot through the gait cycle…

Becker Orthopedic now offers the new Compact Double Action Ankle Joint (Model 725) for orthotic devices, designed to provide a variety of options in one complete small package. The Compact Double Action Ankle Joint comes optimized with…

DJO Global’s DonJoy brand offers the new OA Reaction Web brace as a discreet solution for knee osteoarthritis pain. The brace frame features lightweight silicone hexagonal webbing, with a soft silicone condylar pad and air pockets that…

The new Coral Chewables supplement has a Bavarian cream flavor and delivers 500 mg of bioavailable coral calcium in addition to 73 other minerals. The above-sea coral calcium is intended to help patients reduce the risk of osteoporosis and…

The Standard Cyborg Water Leg is a 3D-printed, waterproof leg that a transtibial amputee can use in the shower, at the beach, or in the pool with no need to worry about damaging his or her primary prosthesis. The 30-minute scanning process can be…