Archive | Braceworks Custom Orthotics | Mobility and bracing for children and adults

Wearable device from Stanford measures cortisol in sweat

By drawing in a bit of sweat, a patch developed in the lab of Alberto Salleo can reveal how much cortisol a person is producing. Cortisol is known as the stress hormone but is involved in many important physiological functions. … READ MORE

Scientists uncover why knee joint injury leads to osteoarthritis

Knee joint injuries are typically related to sports, such as football, rugby or ice hockey, but people often do not know that such injuries may lead to joint inflammation and post-traumatic osteoarthritis. OssKin Evoke University of … READ MORE

Nike signs runner with cerebral palsy

A junior at the University of Oregon, Justin Gallegos becomes the first athlete with cerebral palsy to sign a pro contract with Nike. A lifelong race: Justin Gallegos doesn’t let Cerebral Palsy keep him from running. Adam Eberhardt, … READ MORE

Finding shoes for kids with disabilities is hard. It shouldn’t be

Author Cassi Young’s son Luke can’t wear standard shoes because they don’t fit over his ankle-foot orthotic braces. Cassi Young photo My son, Luke, was born 18 months ago with myelomeningocele, the most severe form of spina … READ MORE

New biomechanical footwear relieves knee OA pain

A new biomechanical footwear system was effective in relieving pain and improving physical function among patients with knee osteoarthritis, according to results of a randomized controlled trial presented at the ACR/ARHP 2018 Annual … READ MORE

The women behind “befree zipOn” pants – on solving a design flaw for people with disabilities

Four years ago, when Nikki Puzzo haphazardly cut up a pair of her daughter Stella’s pajama pants and reconstructed them with Velcro on the sides so they could easily be taken on and off over a spica cast, she found it hard to … READ MORE

Viewpoint: FDA regulation of mobile medical apps

Mobile apps are increasingly used in health care to promote wellness, treat and diagnose disease, aid clinical decision-making, and manage patient care in hospitals and homes. Alivecor is one of thousands of new mobile health apps. It … READ MORE

4-year-old Michigan girl with cerebral palsy takes first steps: ‘I’m walking!’

A little girl with cerebral palsy defied doctors’ expectations when she took her first steps much earlier than expected. Maya Tisdale. Her mother said that Maya’s dream “is to walk.” Ann Tisdale in ABC News By … READ MORE

Custom foot orthotics for relief of lower back pain

Shoe inserts or foot orthotics are sometimes used to treat lower back pain in people who have some type of foot dysfunction or imbalance. The prevailing medical theory is that foot or ankle problems can cause lower back misalignment, … READ MORE

Physical therapies underused following total knee replacement

Evidence-based physical therapy interventions for patients who undergo total knee replacement surgery are underused, and the dosage may not be adequate to achieve optimal outcomes, according to a retrospective review in Arthritis Care … READ MORE

We now have a voice: Alberta appoints advocate for people with disabilities

The office, led by para-athlete Tony Flores, will officially open in mid-November. Tony Flores, centre, has been appointed as the Alberta government’s first advocate for persons with disabilities. Government of Alberta CBC News … READ MORE

UBC breakthrough opens door to $100 ultrasound machine

Engineers at the University of British Columbia have developed a new ultrasound transducer, or probe, that could dramatically lower the cost of ultrasound scanners to as little as $100. Their patent-pending innovation—no bigger than … READ MORE

Dancer’s path offers hope of walking for Orchard Park boy

Easton Jordan works on his walking steps with his physical therapist Elizabeth Bailey-Sands Clay at his home in Orchard Park NY. Mark Mulville, Buffalo News By Scott Scanlon, The Buffalo News June 9, 2017 Easton Jordan has seen Lauren … READ MORE

The stages of knee osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a common form of arthritis that often affects the knee. In the first stage, symptoms are mild, but by the fourth, a person may need surgery. Conservative biomechanical strategies for knee osteoarthritis. Paulo … READ MORE

Energy efficiency with AFO use varies in cerebral palsy patients

Longer strides lead to increased work. Ankle foot orthoses (AFOs) are regularly prescribed to children with walking disabilities resulting from cerebral palsy, yet the effects of AFOs on energy recovery and work during gait are still … READ MORE

Do I need foot orthotics? What kind?

Many people come to my office complaining of foot pain from conditions such as bunions, hammertoes, a pinched nerve (neuroma), or heel pain (plantar fasciitis). I perform a thorough evaluation and examination, and together we review … READ MORE

Cartilage degeneration algorithm predicts progression of osteoarthritis

A novel cartilage degeneration algorithm can predict the progression of osteoarthritis in individual patients, according to new research from the University of Eastern Finland. The new algorithm could greatly facilitate clinical … READ MORE

Why we’re putting an Xbox controller on display at the V&A

The games console is part of our drive to exhibit modern objects – as a way to make sense of our complex world The Xbox adaptive controller marks an important moment in contemporary design history. Victoria And Albert Museum/PA … READ MORE

Cerebral palsy patients test Canadian researchers’ virtual rehabilitation system

Canadian researchers developed an at-home virtual rehabilitation system for people with weakness on one side of their body, then tested it in a two-month-long cerebral palsy related clinical trial – Functional Engagement in Assisted … READ MORE

He never gives up: Broncos bus crash survivor sets his sights on independence

On eve of Humboldt Broncos home opener, Ryan Straschnitzki talks about his recovery. Humboldt Broncos bus crash survivor Ryan Straschnitzki during a rehab session. ‘He never gives up,’ says his physiotherapist Christin … READ MORE

Jason DaSilva’s “The Disability Trap” is beautiful and infuriating

The acclaimed documentary filmmaker and New Mobility’s 2014 Person of the Year, Jason DaSilva, just released a powerful new documentary in collaboration with The New York Times. Jason DaSilva on Vimeo By Seth McBride, New Mobility … READ MORE

Learning to improve foot control in cerebral palsy

A device to measure foot control is being trialled to improve walking ability for adolescents and young adults with cerebral palsy. Learning to improve foot control in Cerebral Palsy, Shari O’Brien. School of Human Movement and … READ MORE

Did Canada break a promise to its disabled citizens?

Despite their differing approaches, both Canada and the U.S. face challenges in keeping their promise to improve the economic wellbeing of their disabled citizens. Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities Carla Qualtrough rises … READ MORE

New research ranks effectiveness of non-surgical treatments for knee osteoarthritis

An estimated 45 percent of people are at risk of developing knee osteoarthritis (OA) in their lifetime. According to a network meta-analysis research article published in the May 1, 2018 issue of the Journal of the American Academy of … READ MORE

On bended knees: It’s a prehab, rehab life

SUN Media national lifestyle and food editor Rita DeMontis recently wrote about her struggles with advanced osteoarthritis knee issues, and how she faced the toughest challenge of her life: Bilateral knee surgery. Here, in Part Three … READ MORE

On bended knees: Rita DeMontis tackles surgery day

SUN Media national lifestyle and food editor Rita DeMontis recently wrote about her struggles with advanced osteoarthritis knee issues, and how she faced the toughest challenge of her life: Bilateral knee surgery. Just recently she … READ MORE

On bended knees: Preparing for surgery

I come to you on bended knees. Well, I would if I could bend them – but I can’t. For the last several years, my knees have progressively failed me, and I’ve gone from running to walking to hobbling to using a cane. I’ve had … READ MORE

New study contradicts notion that electronic health records are driving doctors to quit

A medical scribe enters data into a computer as a doctor evaluates a patient nearby at a medical office in Vinton, Va. Research has shown an increasing emphasis on electronic health records has contributed to physician burnout, and … READ MORE

AHS failed to protect health information, privacy commissioner finds

Former Alberta Hospital Edmonton employee looked at private information of nearly 13,000 people. Alberta Health Services failed to ensure an employee of Alberta Hospital Edmonton knew about and followed safeguards to protect health … READ MORE

Intensive physical therapy helps preserve motor skills in children with CP

Children with cerebral palsy may benefit significantly over the long-term from intensive physical training that prevents deterioration of their motor skills. Shriners Hospitals for Children in Springfield, Mass Alice Melão, Cerebral … READ MORE