January 2012
Cover Story
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
Editor Message
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
Departments
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
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
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
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
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 S.Sanders, MD, FACS
News
In the Moment: Gait
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 focus on dorsiflexor function.
By Emily Delzell
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 and gait function in two groups of people with CMT; 11 wore AFOs and 21 did not. Using a … Continue reading
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 nine healthy controls and 27 hemiparetic individuals at least one year poststroke who had persistent coordination and gait deficits. … Continue reading
In the Moment: Footcare – By Emily Delzell and Jordana Bieze Foster
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 12 control feet as study participants walked with and without a metatarsal pad. The teardrop shaped polyurethane pad was … Continue reading
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 longus activity in 38 healthy participants standing on a platform designed to invert from 0° to 20° without warning. … Continue reading
In the Moment: Sports medicine
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 become dedicated runners.
By Jordana Bieze Foster
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 Gold Coast, Australia. Investigators analyzed 25 male athletes as they landed from an overhead catch of a ball rigged to … Continue reading
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 University of Colorado, Denver, analyzed five individuals with healed lower extremity injuries who still had the custom corset-style … Continue reading
Market Mechanics
The Board of Directors for the Alexandria, VA-based American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics (ABC) named Donald D. Virostek, CPO, president of the organization on December 1. Virostek, director of orthotics at the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children in Dallas, began his work with ABC as a volunteer prosthetic examiner. The organization’s sources said he has … Continue reading
Pekin, IL-based PAL Health Technologies reports that taking its fabrication management mobile has resulted in a 13% increase in productivity and 2% reduction in internal product rejects after six months. PAL Health’s production data software for Apple’s iPad allows managers to bring important information with them to the manufacturing floor, increasing communication, availability of real- time metrics, and employee productivity. … Continue reading
The Orthotic & Prosthetic Activities Foundation (OPAF) has signed two significant 2012 sponsors for its First Clinic series of no-cost, introductory adaptive recreational clinics for individuals served by the O&P community. Owings Mills, MD-based Board of Certification International has upped its 2011 Bronze-level sponsorship to Silver, and Troy, MI-based Becker Orthopedic is a Bronze-level sponsor for the second consecutive year. … Continue reading
The American Medical Association (AMA) has assigned two new procedure codes for the application of living skin cell product Dermagraft, according to Westport, CT-based manufacturer Advanced BioHealing. Dermagraft is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for up to eight weekly applications over 12 weeks for treatment of diabetic foot ulcers. The new CPT codes have a zero-day global … Continue reading
The Pedorthic Footcare Association (PFA) presented Marietta, GA-based Pedors Shoes with the Pedorthic Footwear Vendor/ Manufacturer of the Year award at its 2011 symposium, held last November in Albuquerque, NM. The PFA’s annual award goes to a company the association’s Board of Directors feel exhibits exemplary service and product selection to meet the needs of pedorthists and for its support … Continue reading
Ottawa, Ontario-based KineMedics has signed a deal with another Canadian company, Port Moody, BC-based Progressive Health Innovations (PHI) to distribute PHI’s AFX (Ankle Foot Maximizer), a strengthening system for the ankle and foot complex. The AFX system’s variety of resistance bands allow for balanced strengthening through a complete range of motion. The AFX has multiple uses, from early stage rehabilitation … Continue reading
The Alexandria, VA-based Foundation for Physical Therapy granted several awards in December. Two physical therapists each received $40,000 research grants and three won $5000 each as recipients of the Florence P. Kendall Doctoral Scholarships for the 2011-2012 academic year. Kristin Archer, PT, DPT, PhD, assistant professor at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, TN, won the Magistro Family Foundation Research … Continue reading
The International Olympic Committee’s fourth Advanced Team Physician Course is scheduled for May 30-June 1 at the Soria Moria Hotel in Oslo, Norway. The course, geared toward the practical issues of working with high-level athletes in a team sports setting, is being organized by the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center and Olympiatoppen. Speakers will address controversial topics and present new … Continue reading
RehabTech Asia is the region’s only trade gathering for the assistive technology, integrated care, and rehabilitation engineering industries. The inaugural event, which includes a trade exhibition, conference, hosted buyer program, and business forums, is scheduled for February 27-March 31, 2013 at Singapore’s Expo Convention and Exhibition Centre. Italian trade fair organizer Fiera Milano SpA and Singapore-based Singex Exhibition Ventures Pte., … Continue reading
Practitioners who want to learn the latest in O&P and earn CE credits can dial in to the American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association’s (AOPA) telephone seminars the second Wednesday of each month at 1 pm EST. Practitioners can receive 1.5 CEs per audio conference. The cost for AOPA members is $99 ($199 for nonmembers) per phone line, which allows all … Continue reading
The California Orthotic & Prosthetic Association (COPA) will hold its second annual COPA Educational Event on Friday, March 2, at California State University, Dominguez Hills’s O&P Program in Long Beach. The one-day event will include three concurrent tracks: a prosthetic workshop, an orthotic workshop, and a clinical and business track covering billing and reimbursement. Both workshops are hands-on. Space is … Continue reading
Products
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 most by providing the mechanical assist needed to resupinate the foot. The result is a stable propulsive mechanism to move … Continue reading
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 the user to preposition the hindfoot and forefoot using the vacuum. Once the desired shape is captured, the vacuum box is … Continue reading
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 use. The prosthetic foot’s flexibility results in a gentler fit on the residual limb. It is designed to facilitate quicker … Continue reading
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 articulated Plantar Flexion Stop (PFS) limits plantar flexion with rigid dorsiflexion to maintain the prescribed position of the foot. The AFO/PFS … Continue reading
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 and protects the wound, even during bathing. A clear hydrogel pad provides cooling pain relief while donating and absorbing moisture … Continue reading
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 for active patients and arthritic patients who experience pain with highly rigid braces. The Platinum Trim Gauntlet’s design blends function … Continue reading
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) suitable for all varieties of AFOs. The polyester/Lycra casting products are available in four widths and two lengths (17” and … Continue reading
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 limit wastefulness by addressing problems such as cold flow, friction, discoloration (caused by creams, lotions, sweat, etc.) or staining, uneven … Continue reading
