Archive

Does your baby need helmet therapy? 5 facts about flat head syndrome

Babies come in all different shapes and sizes. But if your infant’s head shape is giving you cause for concern, it may be plagiocephaly — a condition where your baby has a flat spot or misshapen head. Orthomerica Starband UCLA … READ MORE

Vacuum Bell wear and care instructions

Types of Klobe Vacuum Bell: the pectus clinic works with Eckart Klobe, the inventor and manufacturer of the Klobe Vacuum bell, the first device developed specifically to offer a non-surgical treatment for pectus excavatum. Photo … READ MORE

Download Clinical Assessment of Infant Head Shapes

Assessment guides are available here. Jack. Orthomerica Starband. ☞ Download Referrals for orthotic evaluation are recommended for deformational plagiocephaly (Types 3-5), and for deformational brachycephaly (Types 2-3). … READ MORE

Vacuum Bell therapy: A nonsurgical option for chest wall depression (pectus excavatum)

While children with severe pectus excavatum often need surgery, vacuum bell therapy may make surgery unnecessary. Boston Children’s Hospital by Joanne Barker, Clinical Care, Boston Children’s Hospital June 29, 2021 Pectus … READ MORE

Device is an easier option to correct chest deformity

Dr. Robert Obermeyer of Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters in Norfolk shows Austin Hinton and his mother, Tina Hinton, how to operate Austin’s new “vacuum bell” on Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2012. The … READ MORE

Understanding flat head syndrome (Plagiocephaly) in babies

Flat head syndrome, or plagiocephaly as the condition is medically known, occurs when a flat spot develops on the back or side of a baby’s head. Medically reviewed by Melanie Santos — Written by Donna Christiano, Healthline … READ MORE

CP patients wear AFOs less than prescribed

An open-access study, published in Rehabilitation Research and Practice, investigated the wear time of commonly used AFOs in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Shoes for Orthotics, AFOs, DAFOs. CHASA support groups The O&P EDGE … READ MORE

The rest of the story – helmet treatment

Just under three years ago, the O&P profession was startled by the publication of the first randomized controlled trial (RCT) on the efficacy of cranial remolding orthoses.[1] Wren’s plagiocephaly and helmet journey – … READ MORE

Edmonton mom raises awareness about condition that requires baby to get head-shaping helmet

Angie McIntosh noticed her baby boy couldn’t turn his head to the right when he was six weeks old. Dylan McIntosh also had a strange flat spot on the left side of his head. Angie McIntosh’s baby Dylan has plagiocephaly, an … READ MORE

Helmet study highlighted in The New York Times is flawed

Cranial remolding expert Ellie Boomer CPO, shares her commentary on the helmet therapy article highlighted in the May 1 issue of The New York Times. UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital By Ellie Boomer CPO LPO, The O&P Edge … READ MORE

Almost half of babies have flat spot on head, but prevention is simple

Parents can take a few simple steps to prevent their baby’s head from becoming misshapen. 3D scanning for plagiocephaly helmet therapy with Orthomerica SmartSoc app. OAPL Sheryl Ubelacker, The Canadian Press, Global News Calgary … READ MORE

New guidelines review evidence on PT, helmets for positional plagiocephaly

Positional plagiocephaly is a common condition encountered by pediatricians and referred to pediatric subspecialty physicians such as neurosurgeons and plastic surgeons. Twins wearing their CranioCap® Orthoses. Gillette … READ MORE

Novel 3D imaging for chest wall anomalies in Calgary

Novel 3D imaging for chest wall anomalies: The early Calgary experience, Jennifer YK Lam, Janet Ronsky, Marc Schneider, Mary Brindle, Steven Lopushinsky, Nancy Schneider, Jacob Reichbart. Canadian Association of Paediatric … READ MORE

Pectus carinatum causes, symptoms and treatment

The Calgary Protocol: bracing for Pectus carinatum. Braceworks UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital November 26, 2016 – Updated July 2021 Pectus carinatum is characterized by a protrusion of the sternum that occurs as a result … READ MORE

Teen born with a pigeon chest now stands taller

A teenager from Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire born with a rare condition known as ‘pigeon chest’ is now standing taller than his twin brother after undergoing an innovative new treatment to correct the condition. James … READ MORE

New approaches to orthotic management in children with cerebral palsy

Practitioners look to novel ways of using familiar lower limb orthotic alternatives to complement new technology. No single treatment is appropriate for every child, but it is generally agreed that the sooner intervention is started … READ MORE

Calgary pediatric AFO clinic – Kids are us!

Ankle-foot orthoses for children and youth. Personalize your orthotics – Braceworks AFO clinic for children is available by appointment only. See your doctor or physiotherapist for diagnosis and prescription first. New patients … READ MORE

Bracing results in significant improvements in pectus carinatum

Comfort is the key because the brace is worn continuously to provide compression during regular daily activity. Patients are more compliant with the Braceworks PC brace and encouraging results are often apparent early in … READ MORE

Double bonus – AFOs improve dual-task gait in two ways

Ankle foot orthoses intervene at the level of the body and at the level of activity. But they might also have effects at the level of participation. – Nikta Pirouz CPO By Jordana Bieze Foster, Lower Extremity Review March 2015 … READ MORE

Order the Braceworks Pectus Brace

☞ Download the Braceworks Pectus Brace® order form, PDF Visit the  Apple App Store or ▶︎ Google Play on your tablet or phone to install Adobe Acrobat Reader for mobile devices. For ease of use, we recommend opening the … READ MORE

How to rewind the clock on arthritic cartilage

A new study in Aging Cell describes how a key protein, called Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT3), might turn back the clock on aging cartilage that leads to osteoarthritis. DNA. Creative Commons image by … READ MORE

Can’t find a family doctor in Alberta? Training more medical students is not the silver bullet

The number of students choosing family medicine is declining in Alberta. While the increase in medical school spots in Alberta is much needed to support a struggling health-care system, the realities of solving the family medicine … READ MORE

People with Down syndrome are living longer, but the health system still treats many as kids

Marilyn Lesmeister sits with her daughter Samantha “Sammee” Lesmeister after Sammee’s horse riding lesson in Cole Camp, Missouri. Sammee Lesmeister is one of a growing number of adults living with Down syndrome. More than … READ MORE

AISH recipients form grassroots group to raise awareness, dispel myths around the program

“We’re fighting to be recognized as autonomous human beings that deserve dignity,” advocate says. Janet Nass and Thomas Cheesman are two members of the newly formed group, AISH Recipients In Search of Equity (ARISE). … READ MORE

Canada first to develop medical standards to keep kids from suffering pain in silence

OTTAWA – The Health Standards Organization has released a new set of guidelines to help hospital workers manage children’s pain — particularly for those who can’t communicate when they’re hurt. An empty cot … READ MORE

14-year-old Hailey King is turning heads on Canada’s women’s Para hockey team

Calgary teen will compete against world’s best at Women’s World Challenge this week. At 14 years old, Hailey King is the youngest member of Canada’s women’s Para hockey team. She’ll compete at the … READ MORE

Study could change assumptions about helmet safety

NYITCOM research suggests that helmet design may play a role in limiting concussion severity. After sustaining the initial hit, the cerebro-spinal fluid (CSF) loses its cushioning effect with each additional skull oscillation … READ MORE

The potential opportunities and pitfalls of telehealth

In a recent paper, Yale cardiologists emphasize the importance of balancing quality and equity with convenience in telehealth. Tumisu, Pixabay CC0 Public Domain by Ashley P. Taylor, Yale University November 08, 2022 During the … READ MORE

Taking vitamin D could help prevent dementia, study finds

University of Calgary launches national research project to discover more insights to protect the brain while we age. Dr. Zahinoor Ismail is a neuropsychiatrist and associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University … READ MORE

Paralyzed Humboldt Bronco looks to make buildings more accessible

Ryan Straschnitzki, 23, has spent last 5 years using a wheelchair. Former Humboldt Bronco hockey player Ryan Straschnitzki, who was injured in a team bus crash, practices with PX3 AMP hockey team in Calgary in 2019. Todd Korol, The … READ MORE

Researchers develop technology to treat Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT)

The research team led by Professor Minseok Kim from the Department of New Biology at DGIST (President Yang Kuk) has developed a technology that can treat Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease, an incurable hereditary disease, with … READ MORE

Hip pain is different in female dancers: New Insights from dynamic ultrasound

Dancers put unique demands on their hips, achieving extreme ranges of motion that can strain the joints and damage supporting tissues around them. Not surprisingly, hip injuries account for up to 17% of injuries in dancers and 27% … READ MORE

Former Broncos player has sights set on Paralympic wheelchair basketball

24-year-old from Airdrie, Alta., paralyzed in 2018 bus crash that killed 16 in Saskatchewan. The Canadian Press, CBC Calgary July 31, 2023 Ryan Straschnitzki, one of the Humboldt Bronco hockey players injured in the Humboldt bus … READ MORE

‘Willing to do anything’: Humboldt Broncos crash survivor joins disability advocacy group

Airdrie’s Ryan Straschnitzki has been working to regain the use of his legs since the tragic 2018 crash, even getting an epidural stimulator implanted in his spine in 2019. Vecova announced the appointment of Ryan Straschnitzki … READ MORE

Why are these scientists teaching seniors how to fall?

Rather than focus on avoiding tumbles, researchers at the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute are using high-tech, hands-on trials to teach how to fall. Cathrin Bradbury walks on sensor plates in the reactive balance training room at the … READ MORE

New strategies needed to support parents of children with severe CP, study finds

Healthcare professionals should develop new strategies for helping to fulfill the now unmet needs of parents whose children have severe cerebral palsy, beginning with improving education about the disease and aiding them in getting … READ MORE

Nieman: Pediatrician prescribes self-compassion, kindness for parental guilt

At the start of my clinical practice in 1987, I had very little appreciation of the importance of parental guilt. Very few parents brought it up as a personal struggle. Over the past 36 years, I have observed a definite pattern of … READ MORE

Quadriplegic Ontario man hand-cycling across Canada to promote activity after injury

“I want to dip my tires in both oceans.” Kevin Mills leaves Cape Spear, N.L., on May 24 after the start of his cross-Canada trip in a wheelchair bicycle. GREG LOCKE, THE GLOBE AND MAIL Follow the journey • Full route maps • … READ MORE

There is no miracle cure to the health crisis – but here’s where to start

What seemed like a “miracle solution” of breaking up our single-access system has now become the main problem. Dr. Alika Lafontaine is President of the Canadian Medical Association by Alika Lafontaine, Healthy Debate March 7, 2023 … READ MORE

Canada’s Smeenk, Gingras, Papaconstantinou race to Para athletics worlds medals

Fellow Canadian Anthony Bouchard to compete in finals later Thursday. Canada’s Austin Smeenk, seen earlier at the Para athletics world championships, won silver in the men’s T34 100-metre wheelchair race on Thursday in … READ MORE

Equine-facilitated therapy improved the functioning of patients with low back pain

Patients with chronic low back pain may benefit from equine-facilitated therapy (EFT), a new study from the University of Eastern Finland shows. During a 12-week intervention, the perceived amount of pain decreased, and the ability of … READ MORE

Surgery for torn meniscus still too often unnecessarily performed

Researchers find no subgroups that benefit from surgery. A surgery for a torn meniscus caused by wear and tear is rarely beneficial, this was already known. Now, a study from Radboud university medical center shows that there are no … READ MORE

Adaptability Store – Special needs products

AdaptAbility provides children, adults and caregivers of people with diverse & special needs, the very finest of products available. AdaptAbility Photo, May 2023 AdaptAbility is a trusted member of the special needs community in … READ MORE

Functional outcome measures show faster recovery with ‘partial’ versus total knee arthroplasty

For selected patients with knee osteoarthritis, unicompartmental (or “partial”) knee arthroplasty (UKA) shortens the recovery time for two key measures of physical function, as compared with total knee arthroplasty (TKA), … READ MORE

The future is disabled

We need to take steps toward a more inclusive future—one that we all can inhabit. I can’t buy it if I can’t reach it: The importance of access to Canadian consumers. Rick Hansen Foundation By Ashley Shew, MIT Technology Review … READ MORE

96-year-old runner breaks W95+ world record at Ottawa 5K

Rejeanne Fairhead, 96, is getting faster with age. She finished in 51:09, smashing her previous 5K best by seven minutes. Photo Courtesy Perley Health/Julie Ireton Marley Dickinson, Canadian Running Magazine May 27, 2023 Canada’s … READ MORE

‘They don’t care about me, mom’: Teen’s scoliosis surgery delayed five times

Nathan Gilson’s wait took a mental and physical toll on the entire family. The left photo shows Nathan Gilson’s back before scoliosis surgery, while the second photo shows his back after surgery. It took a year-and-a-half for … READ MORE

Expectations may influence post-knee replacement experiences

People with lower expectations of how they would be able to use their knees during work activities after a total knee arthroplasty were more dissatisfied with their knee abilities 6 months after their surgery, according to a study … READ MORE

DSAA Summer Fundraising Kickoff

David Cormack is organizing this fundraiser to benefit Disabled Sailing Association of Alberta. Donate directly to DSAA with no additional commitment. Here is the link to that page, DONATE — DSAA (dsaalberta.org). Help us reach our … READ MORE

Bedside prognostic tool identifies infants at risk for Cerebral palsy

This case-control study evaluates a cerebral palsy prognostic tool that can be applied to all term neonates to identify those at increased risk of developing cerebral palsy. A newborn baby. Image by rawpixel.com on Freepik by Jennifer … READ MORE

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