November 2010
Cover Story
One side claims running shoes cause injury; the other side counters that barefoot running comes with its own risks. There are likely elements of truth on both sides. But when it comes to giving your patients advice about barefoot running, experts have more questions than answers.
by Cary Groner
Editor Message
Benno Nigg, PhD, isn’t exactly on the barefoot running bandwagon. Essentially, the internationally lauded foot biomechanist thinks barefoot running is a fashion trend that tends to recur every 25 years or so — like babydoll dresses or skinny ties.
Jordana Bieze Foster, Editor
Departments
Los pacientes con diabetes que han sido objeto de una amputación parcial del pie son los más vulnerables a la re- ulceración. El calzado, las platillas, las prótesis parciales de pie, las ortesis de pie y tobillo pueden ayudar a reducir ese riesgo al mismo tiempo que mejoran la función.
Por: Erick Janisse, CPed, CO y Dennis Janisse, CPed
With so many factors outside of the control of practitioners and practice managers, it’s becoming increasingly important to focus energy and resources on the areas that are well within your ability to influence.
By Jason Kraus
Patients with diabetes who have undergone partial foot amputation are vulnerable to reulceration. Footwear, orthotic devices, and partial foot prostheses can reduce risk while improving function.
By Erick Janisse, CPed, CO, and Dennis Janisse, CPed
Yoga can help improve balance and increase confidence in older adults who are at risk for fall-related injury. The key to successful outcomes is to modify traditional poses in ways that accommodate both physical limitations and fears in this patient population.
By Arlene Schmid, PhD, OTR
Successful management of articular cartilage lesions starts with a thorough examination emphasizing patient history, range of motion limitations, and an understanding of underlying anatomy and biomechanics.
By Walter L. Jenkins, PT, DHS, ATC
Patients with diabetes are at increased risk for delayed union or nonunion following skeletal trauma or elective orthopedic surgery, due to impaired osseous regeneration. Researchers are investigating the underlying etiologies in an effort to find therapeutic solutions.
By David N. Paglia MS, Siddhant K. Mehta BS, Kristen Mason BS, Eric A. Breitbart MD, Aaron Wey BS, Andrew Park MS, Swaroopa Vaidya MS, Ravi Verma BS, Dana Graves PhD, J. Patrick O’Connor PhD, and Sheldon S. Lin MD
News
In the Moment: Footwear
Therapeutic designs are a tough sell
Despite research supporting the use of therapeutic shoes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, a study from New Zealand suggests that only 5% of patients actually wear prescribed footwear.
The lack of compliance may be related to practitioners’ failure to understand the social and emotional implications of therapeutic footwear for patients—particularly women—with RA, according to a second study from the U.K.
By Jordana Bieze Foster
A high-top athletic shoe design and tightly tied laces can decrease peak Achilles tendon loading, primarily by limiting peak ankle dorsiflexion, according to a cadaver study from Virginia Tech University. Researchers analyzed the effects of low-top vs high-top athletic shoes and tied vs untied laces in the left and right lower extremities of two human cadavers, using a custom testing … Continue reading
The variable-stiffness shoe being developed at Stanford University not only reduces external knee adduction moment but also produces corresponding decreases in load within the joint, according to new in vivo data. The shoe (see “OA research: It’s all about the shoes,”) features a lateral sole that is 1.3 to 1.5 times stiffer than the medial sole, which has been shown … Continue reading
In the Moment: Rehabilitation
Maltracking signals VMO involvement
Research from Stanford University adds to the evidence that patellofemoral pain management may be most effective when tailored to subcategories of patients, and suggests that it’s too soon to give up on vastus medialis oblique activation as a contributing factor.
The findings were presented in early November at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation.
By Jordana Bieze Foster
The benefits of platelet-rich plasma injection for relief of tendinopathy pain are evident outside of a controlled research setting, according to results from a Scottsdale, AZ, private practice presented in November at the AAPM&R meeting. Physiatrists at Southwest Spine & Sports performed PRP injections on 92 patients with tendon or ligament pain during a nine-month period. Sixty of those patients … Continue reading
Fascial manipulation can improve pain and postural stability in patients with functional ankle instability and evidence of retinacular changes on magnetic resonance imaging, according to research from Italy presented in November at the AAPM&R meeting. In an earlier study, published in the August issue of Cells Tissues Organs, the same investigators from the University of Padua reported that MRI demonstrated … Continue reading
Market Mechanics
The American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics (ABC) is pleased to announce the reinstatement of its Certified Orthotic/Prosthetic Assistant certification program. Certified assistants, under the supervision of an ABC certified orthotist and/or prosthetist, may perform orthotic and/or prosthetic procedures and related tasks in the management of patient care. The initial evaluation and formulation of the treatment plan … Continue reading
Cali Overcast of Fountain, CO, was only four years old when the 9/11 terrorist attacks took place, but she’s never forgotten the impact it had on her young life. Overcast, winner of Minneapolis, MN-based Otto Bock’s Socket Art Contest, was born with a type of dwarfism called Ollier’s that affected the growth of her left leg and has so far … Continue reading
The Pedorthic Foundation is launching a new charity initiative, called “Feet for Life,” to benefit underprivileged patients with diabetes. The foundation has been given an initial donation of 10,000 pairs of shoes, which will be provided to individuals with diabetes who have limited income and resources. The shoes will be distributed through credentialed pedorthists who sign up to participate. The … Continue reading
Salem, MA-based SoleTech, a supplier of orthopedic materials and therapeutic footwear, announced in October the launch of a redesigned website at www.soletech.com. The new website is designed to allow prospective customers to view the company’s complete line of products, download catalogs, and learn more about SoleTech. Beginning in early December, the site will allow existing customers to order products online … Continue reading
Richard Dubin, publisher and founder of Lower Extremity Review has been named to the board of Art de Cure, a new Albany, NY-based nonprofit organization that works with local artists and healthcare practices to establish art galleries in practitioners’ offices. A portion of sales from each art gallery benefits a charity of the practitioners’ choice, such as the American Diabetes … Continue reading
Products
Prosthetic technology company TRS has introduced a Symes version of its Little Feet product line. Little Feet are designed for infants and children and come in sizes 10, 11, 12, and 13 cm long; they are available in three skin tones to compliment different patient’s needs. The SACH-type feet are stable and store energy because of their polymer matrix and … Continue reading
Sole announces the release of its redesigned Performance Socks. Lightweight Sport and Dual Layer socks are offered in no-show, ankle, and crew lengths in either black or white. A blend of Tactel, Coolmax and Lycra fabrics provides a soft, comfortable feel. The durable Lightweight Sport socks feature instep vents for breathability, a hand-linked “seamless” toe and a TensorFit arch band … Continue reading
The Muscle Angels hand-held massager is designed to provide quick relief from muscle pain and fatigue while increasing flexibility, circulation, mobility and elasticity. Muscle Angel massagers are designed to combine the benefits of myofascial trigger point, acupressure, and deep tissue massage—all in one product. The sculpted nub-tip stimulates circulation and breaks up muscle knots, while more than 290 tiny massaging … Continue reading
Swede-O has announced its launch of the Thermoskin Plantar FXT Ultra for the nighttime treatment of plantar fasciitis. The Plantar FXT Ultra holds the foot at approximately 90° so the plantar fascia is in a stretched position where it may heal. The device is made of hook & loop materials, allowing for the foam wedge and straps to be adjusted … Continue reading
Topical BioMedics offers all natural Topricin Foot Therapy Cream in two new smaller sizes. Originally offered in an 8 oz bottle, the pain relief healing cream that’s specially formulated to target foot and ankle pain is also now available in a convenient 4 oz jar as well as a 2 oz travel tube. Classified by the FDA as a homeopathic … Continue reading
Pilgrim Shoes offers the Deertracks line of shoes, made in the USA. Added shaft height allows for better fitting of any kind of orthotics or braces, while a wide shaft opening allows easy on/off. Thick, breathable, shock-absorbing insoles are designed to support and relieve the foot; the removable insoles can easily be replaced with diabetic insoles or custom made orthotics. … Continue reading
The CastCooler is a patented device used in conjunction with an orthopedic cast to remove moisture from the lining of the cast. It is designed to be stretched around the cast like a sleeve, then attached via a nozzle hooked to a standard household or garage vacuum to remove moisture from the cast lining without touching the patient. This addresses … Continue reading
DM Systems offers the new Heelift AFO for limited weightbearing. The Heelift AFO features a semi-rigid polypropylene brace, which is positioned to provide safe ankle and foot support. Customizable foam pads elevate the heel and protect of the Achilles tendon; choose from a smooth foam interior or a slightly cooler convoluted foam option. A non-slip sole provides added traction and … Continue reading
Motion technology company Polhemus has unveiled the G4, a 6-degree-of-freedom motion tracker that boasts wireless communication and AC electromagnetic technology, and fits in your pocket. Designed for applications including biomechanical and sports performance analysis, G4 touts the power of larger, more expensive systems, yet is significantly smaller in size and can be belt-worn. Armed with sensors operating at 120 Hz, G4′s … Continue reading
Darco International introduces the Web Ankle Brace. The ankle brace is a true convertible brace that can transform from an acute brace to a full support product with a simple adjustment, eliminating the need for multiple braces. The brace is designed with removable rigid stays that provide controlled restriction of inversion/eversion. The unique bungee closure system provides even compression and … Continue reading
Sroufe Healthcare Products has introduced the new Chevron STS Square-Toe Med-Surg Shoe. The Chevron STS is designed to provide protection and comfort in post-operative footwear. The extended shape of the square-toe design provides extra protection for toes, forefoot, and bandages, and acts as a buffer from accidental bumps and scrapes. An adjustable forefoot closure expands to accommodate dressings, with no … Continue reading
STS Company has announced the development of Pediatric AFO casting socks in four different sizes to cover a broad range of anatomy and children’s ages. The casts are compatible with traditional AFO fabrication as well as CAD-CAM methods. The fast-setting, water-curable resins that are impregnated on the casting socks have a set time of approximately two minutes. The impressions are … Continue reading
