Biomechanics

Human movement science

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

Walking slower and pausing for rest may enable older adults to maintain outdoor mobility

When functional ability declines, changing the way of walking by, for instance, walking slower, pausing for rest or using walking aids, can facilitate older adults’ outdoor mobility. These were the findings of a study conducted at … READ MORE

Class of 2019: You have to stay stronger than ever after a knee injury, kinesiology PhD finds

Maurice Mohr’s own knee injury brought home the importance of rehab through exercise and physio. A group shot commemorates Maurice Mohr’s PhD defense. From left: his step-mother Joanna Weihrauch-Mohr, father Bernhard Mohr, … READ MORE

Study dispels myth of exercise damage in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee

“The belief that exercise is harmful for cartilage is based on misinformation and the current discord between evidence and persistent beliefs highlights the need for better education.” – Dr Alessio Bricca Knee … READ MORE

Torso simulator offers promise for new back brace innovations

Engineers have for the first time created a simulator mimicking the mechanical behavior of the human torso—which could lead to innovations in the design of medical back supports. It allows researchers to test different back brace … READ MORE

Low-profile assistive ankle exoskeleton can be worn under clothes

Researchers at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee have developed a lightweight and inexpensive ankle exoskeleton to assist those with impaired lower leg muscles or those in jobs that require a lot of running or walking. … READ MORE

Meniscal damage predicts development of accelerated knee osteoarthritis

Study data published in Arthritis Rheumatology suggest that destabilizing meniscal tears, large bone marrow lesions, and cartilage loss may predict the development of accelerated knee osteoarthritis (OA). Emily Pond, Rheumatology … 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). The researchers also studied if the design of the orthosis influenced … READ MORE

Power training helps children with CP meet mobility goals

A power-training program aimed at improving the function of children with cerebral palsy helped them meet mobility goals, a Dutch study reported. Daniel Ferreira is representing Canada at the World Bench Only Powerlifting Competition … READ MORE

The hazard of misunderstanding knee OA

What we understand about our illness has implications for how we go about addressing it. Physical Activity and Population Health BJSM Blog Series. British Journal of Sports Medicine Pauline Norris, Otago Daily Times 18 March 2019 How … READ MORE

Motion capture technology used to prevent falls in older people

Researchers from CAMERA are using Hollywood technology to assess the benefits of an exercise programme aimed at reducing the risk of falls in older people. Volunteers in their seventies donned motion capture suits for the study to … READ MORE

Gait analysis no better than ‘usual care’ in children with CP, study says

Individually tailored gait analysis interventions are not better than “usual care” interventions in children with cerebral palsy who are still able to walk without assistance and are not expected to require surgery, according to a … READ MORE

Recruiting participants for the Cerebral Palsy Cohort Study

Interested in a 3D video of you and your siblings or friends walking? Learn how technology in the gait lab is used to make video games and movies. A series of sensors track Sarah Cauley’s movements in the Gait Lab. University of … READ MORE

AFOs for stroke: Early use does not limit long-term benefit

Stroke often impairs walking, particularly by altering foot clearance during the swing phase. Activity of the tibialis anterior (TA) plays an important role in foot clearance; clinicians often prescribe an ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) … READ MORE

‘Kneeding’ a break: First evidence ACL injuries an overuse failure

Repetitive knee stress and failure to accommodate sufficient rest between periods of strenuous exercise may be key factors behind the rapid rise in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in world sport, a new international study … READ MORE

Mechanics, mobility, and motion capture: From Pixar to reality

When you watch a Pixar movie, have you ever wondered why the characters’ movements and facial expressions appear so vivid and realistic? Illustration by Eric Chung for rehabINK By Yilina Liubaoerjijin, John Christy Johnson, & … READ MORE

New online tool predicts individual risks and benefits of joint replacements

An innovative online tool devised by researchers from the University of Sheffield will give patients unique personalised information about the risks and benefits of having a joint replacement for the first time. University of … READ MORE

ACR and Arthritis Foundation release updated treatment guideline for OA

Today, the American College of Rheumatology (ACR), in partnership with the Arthritis Foundation (AF), released the 2019 ACR/AF Guideline for the Management of Osteoarthritis of the Hand, Hip and Knee. The ACR periodically updates … READ MORE

Altered composition, structure of muscles linked to stiffness, movement limits in CP children

Muscle composition and structure is altered in children with cerebral palsy — with greater amounts of collagen in the muscles’ network of proteins and sugars — making these patients more prone to stiffness and contractures that … READ MORE

Australia has a new action plan for arthritis

Experts believe the common condition could be better treated and prevented. I am 32. Due to my condition, I can only work part-time. I am limited by my pain and my medical appointments and tests. I struggle to stand, sit or walk for … READ MORE

Fall risk reduced in older adults with exercise

10 things you can do to prevent devastating falls. A new study shows we know how to stop the leading cause of injury among older people, writes Dr. Eric B. Larson. All we have to do is use that knowledge. By Lisa Rapaport, Medscape … READ MORE

Young woman with cerebral palsy connects with others on a global scale

Teen blog leads to website and in-person meetings for better understanding. Katy Fetters, who has cerebral palsy, is launching a campaign through her blog and website to help others with similar challenges. She walks on the Huntington … READ MORE

Could a knee brace help ease your osteoarthritis pain?

Understanding your options. While there’s no cure for knee osteoarthritis, a combination of strategies can help relieve your pain and keep you active. Össur Unloader One knee brace Orthopaedics, Cleveland Clinic December 3, 2019 … READ MORE

Dodgy treatment: it’s not us, it’s the other lot, say the experts. So who do we believe?

Will my surgery work? Well, it depends on who you ask. Patients might not be getting the best advice about which treatments do or don’t work, according to our study published today. We found professional societies are more likely to … READ MORE

Limited evidence of botox superiority in alleviating muscle tightness in children with CP

A review found limited evidence that botox outperforms other forms of treatment in improving walking, joint motion, or muscle spasticity in children with cerebral palsy (CP). The study was published in the Cochrane Database of … READ MORE

Artificial muscle power for children with cerebral palsy

Research team receives start-up funding to develop first-of-its-kind motorized medical brace. University of Delaware researchers are developing a medical device to help children with cerebral palsy. The device includes a novel … READ MORE

Early orthotic intervention in pediatric patients, Part 2: Down syndrome, other neurological conditions, and toe walking

The Case For Early Intervention. Down Syndrome is associated with a long list of compensatory gait symptoms due to hypotonia, triplanar foot and ankle misalignments, sagittal and coronal compensation at the knee, proximal weakness, … READ MORE

Early orthotic intervention in pediatric patients, Part 1: Cerebral palsy

Children with cerebral palsy (CP) typically encounter a host of gait- and balance-related issues associated with spasticity, dyskinesia, and weakness. How severe these are depends on CP type and the individual case. As a result, … READ MORE

Engineers 3D print flexible mesh for ankle and knee braces

MIT engineers have designed pliable, 3-D-printed mesh materials whose flexibility and toughness they can tune to emulate and support softer tissues such as muscles and tendons. MIT engineers 3-D-print stretchy mesh, with customized … READ MORE

New evidence: Hip, knee steroid injections more dangerous than thought

A new study reveals that commonly given hip and knee steroid intra-articular injections may be harmful in some patients with at-risk conditions or may cause complications that are not well understood. These findings appear online in … READ MORE

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