Primary Care and Rehab

Continuity of care

Freedom brace “perfect” for teen battling cerebral palsy

“It just holds her legs at the perfect angle for her, a nice relaxed position. But yet she can still move her legs up and down, stretch her legs out, and she can go wider if she wants. But it keeps her legs from crossing and … READ MORE

Changes in older people’s central nervous system leads to compromised ability to sense movement

The central nervous system of older individuals responds to movement and initiates muscular contraction differently compared to young individuals. This is the result of a study led by researcher Simon Walker at the University of … READ MORE

Postcode lottery for NHS orthotics patients

Specialist orthotics care for patients with mobility issues varies significantly depending on where they live, new research reveals. In future, there will be an increased demand for orthotics services because of the projected … READ MORE

Should I stop running if my knee hurts?

The most common site for pain in recreational runners [1] is the knee. For some, especially older runners, the pain can be a symptom of osteoarthritis. But does running worsen knee pain and osteoarthritis? goodluz/Shutterstock Ewa M … READ MORE

Humans have salamander-like ability to regrow cartilage in joints

The process could be harnessed as a treatment for osteoarthritis. “We believe that an understanding of this ‘salamander-like’ regenerative capacity in humans, and the critically missing components of this regulatory circuit, … READ MORE

Knock knees, bowlegs, pigeon toes? Usually nothing to worry about!

Babies have to fold into a tight little ball as they develop in their mom’s womb, right? When they come out, and stretch and move those little arms and legs, we realize what a miracle it was that they ever fit inside! Their bodies … READ MORE

Wide variations in car seat breathing assessment conducted on premature newborns

A new study from the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) has found wide variations throughout the United States in the way hospitals ensure that premature or low birth weight infants can breathe safely in a car seat … READ MORE

Alberta Wheel Girls: Support group helps connect women in wheelchairs

The support group started in April as a way to connect women in wheelchairs. Emma Read started an Instagram page to share her experiences living with a wheelchair. Emma Read photo Jamie Malbeuf, CBC News Edmonton August 12, 2020 … READ MORE

SFU researchers working to improve quality of life for seniors in long-term care

The team looked at how to better protect older adults from hip fractures caused by falls. Hip protectors were worn in over 70 per cent of falls, and halved the risk for hip fracture. Injury Prevention and Mobility Laboratory IPML, … READ MORE

Virtual care can make all the difference when treating the most vulnerable patients

Beyond the pandemic, we need to ensure virtual medicine remains a permanent fixture of health care system. A pediatrician takes part in a telemedicine call with a patient over a secure video connection. While it isn’t perfect, … READ MORE

Canadian inventor creates the mountain bike of walkers

Chances are that if you think of someone who uses a walker, you picture them sedately making their way down a smooth sidewalk. Well, Rob’s Walkers are for those other walker-users, who like getting into the woods and going … READ MORE

U of A robot rehab project hopes pandemic increases user comfort with virtual health care

Increased video-conferencing may boost willingness to book virtual appointments. A demonstration at the University of Alberta rehabilitation robotics lab shows how a robot with a video screen allows a specialist to monitor patient … READ MORE

PSW shortage stranding patients in hospital

Nearly 2 years after minor surgery, Maria Konopeskas just wants to get home. Maria Konopeskas was admitted to hospital for relatively minor surgery in November 2017. She’s still there. Jean Delisle CBC Laurie Fagan, CBC News … READ MORE

Specialized sports chairs and the people who use them

Wheelchair court sports are a blast. And modern sports chairs are built to be faster and more agile than ever, making them even more fun to use and very exciting to watch in action. Arizona athlete Tim Surry uses a Top End Pro … READ MORE

Putting the spring-cam back into stroke patients steps

A research group has developed a new, lightweight and motor-less device that can be easily attached to an ankle support device – otherwise known as an ankle foot orthosis (AFO). The new device will aid stroke patients in their … READ MORE

Keep moving to prevent major mobility disability

Nordic walking on a trail. Yale University News HIA Guest Blog, Health in Aging June 9, 2020 Having trouble getting around on your own—such as difficulty walking, climbing steps, or being able to get in and out of a chair—can … READ MORE

Suffering from bad knees, some look for alternatives to surgery

The burning in his kneecaps was what Richard Bedard noticed first. Then came the tenderness and pain. Sitting for 10 hours a day as a financial editor in Hong Kong was agonizing. So was walking short distances or just standing in the … READ MORE

Orthotics breakthrough helps children with Cerebral Palsy walk and play

Children with Cerebral Palsy have more energy to play and be physically active for longer, thanks to specially designed orthotics. Adapting splints and footwear can decrease the energy children with Cerebral Palsy use by as much as … READ MORE

Finding one’s way home

The Otic placode gives rise to the inner ear in vertebrates. A new study shows that even when it is transplanted to ectopic positions, the nerve cells that grow out of the transplanted ear can form functional connections in the brain. … READ MORE

Protective antibodies identified for rare, polio-like disease in children

Antibodies for respiratory virus that can cause a rare polio-like disease that causes paralysis in children have been identified by a team of researchers at Purdue University, Vanderbilt University Medical Center and the University of … READ MORE

Irregular findings common in knees of young competitive alpine skiers

Five-year study finds lesions associated with repetitive mechanical stress. Bony lesions on the lower part of the thigh bone near the knee are a common but benign finding on MRI in young alpine skiers and should not be confused with … READ MORE

Child care after the pandemic should be more inclusive of children with disabilities

Across Canada, some provinces have either opened or are looking at opening their child-care centres again following pandemic closures. But all families do not have the same opportunity to participate in early childhood education and … READ MORE

Software recreates complex movements for medical, rehabilitation, and basic research

An open-source movement simulator that has already helped solve problems in medicine, paleontology, and animal locomotion has been expanded and improved, according to a new publication in the open-access journal PLOS Computational … READ MORE

Why most knee injuries don’t need surgery to heal

Physiotherapists have made great strides in treating knee injuries without surgery, says U of A researcher. Hiking without Knee Pain. Movement Solutions Greenville SC photo By Michael Brown, University of Alberta June 05, 2020 Two … READ MORE

Foot rotation during gait in patients with knee OA

Rotating the foot in or out during gait is associated with significant decreases in frontal plane knee load during early or late stance, respectively, and can be effective for reducing pain and potentially slowing the progression of … READ MORE

The military provides health care to its members, but not their families

Many health care providers are unaware that military families are divided in the way they access health care—that is to say, each family is divided. Caring for Military Families in the Patient’s Medical Home, PDF © The College of … READ MORE

What you need to know about COVID-19 in Alberta – May 2020 Archive

AHS phone line staffed by occupational therapists and physiotherapists. A new advice line set up to help Albertans with physical disabilities and injuries connect with rehabilitation advice during the pandemic is believed to be the … READ MORE

Imagining grasping may help restore hand function in spastic CP children

Children with unilateral spastic cerebral palsy (CP) have a preserved ability to imagine grasping with both hands, according to a new study. Recognise Apps for iOS in the  Apple App Store and for Android in ▶︎ Google … READ MORE

Cases of children with rare inflammatory syndrome spike in Italy and France

Doctors in France and northern Italy, one of the areas hardest hit by the new coronavirus, have reported spikes in cases of a rare inflammatory syndrome in young children that appears similar to one reported in the United States, … READ MORE

Strenuous exercise is safe for people at high risk of knee OA

People at high risk for knee osteoarthritis (OA) may be reluctant to participate in strenuous physical activities such as jogging, cycling, singles tennis, and skiing. But a new study from Northwestern Medicine, published in JAMA … READ MORE

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