Biomechanics

Human movement science

Custom orthotics no better than cheaper insoles for people with heel pain, study suggests

New research out of Europe suggests custom foot orthotics might be a waste of money. The research, published Monday in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, has found that custom-made orthoses are no more effective than cheaper, … READ MORE

Pectus carinatum patients report high satisfaction with bracing

In a study of patient experiences and satisfaction with dynamic compression bracing to treat pectus carinatum, researchers found that the bracing was effective in achieving correction in compliant patients and that patients reported … READ MORE

U of A lab developing wearable technology to prevent athletic injuries

Top student from China lends programming expertise to develop sensors and 3D avatar. Researchers at the University of Alberta are developing a wearable technology they say will help with athletic assessment and rehabilitation. Scott … READ MORE

Class of 2019: Design grad takes deep dive into sustainable shoe design

Kristine Vodon successfully blends academic and athletic in her wakeskate shoe concept. Kristine Vodon graduated with her Master’s of Environmental Design from the University of Calgary School of Architecture, Planning and … READ MORE

Is joint replacement surgery necessary?

Non-surgical and minimally invasive surgical options for deteriorating joints may allow some patients to delay or avoid joint replacement surgery. Evoke™ knee brace. OssKin. By Kim Waterman, Northwestern Medicine, Orthopedics … READ MORE

Exercise helps prevent cartilage damage caused by arthritis

Exercise helps to prevent the degradation of cartilage caused by osteoarthritis, according to a new study from Queen Mary University of London. Medical Xpress. CC0 Public Domain Rupert Marquand, Queen Mary University of London 27 … READ MORE

Slower walking speed may predict future mobility problems

Being able to walk outside for several blocks at a leisurely pace plays an important role in living a vibrant, healthy life. Walking short distances allows you to get the physical activity you need, live independently, go shopping, … READ MORE

Children’s toe walking not a sign of bigger problems

More than half of young children who toe walk will stop doing so on their own by about age 5. And most children who are toe walkers will not have any developmental or neuropsychiatric problems, a new study finds.[1] Idiopathic toe … READ MORE

Robotic walker may help young people be more social and physically fit

“Robotics holds great hope for individuals with CP where mobility options are limited. Physical and social advantages are evident,” the researchers wrote. By Iqra Mumal, Cerebral Palsy News Today April 29, 2019 A modified version … READ MORE

Gait and balance dysfunction in older adults: Challenges and interventions

Falls are a significant—yet preventable—health issue among older adults. Each year, 3 million older Americans over the age of 65 are treated in emergency departments for fall-related injuries which often result in disability, loss … READ MORE

Revolutionary orthotics help London para-throwers with Tokyo training

Two para-throwers with their eyes firmly set on representing GB at the Tokyo Paralympics next year are being helped along the way by Dorset Orthopaedic’s revolutionary silicone ankle foot orthosis, SAFO. AT Today 24 June 2019 … READ MORE

A thank you to my old AFOs

In grade school, I used to launch my ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) from my foot and into the air by twisting my toes as I kicked as high and as hard as I could. I would watch my AFOs spin in the sky before they fell to the ground. The … READ MORE

Study highlights importance of ACL reconstruction for youth at high risk of knee re-injury

Sport Medicine Centre researchers find patellar tendon reconstruction can protect active youth from early osteoarthritis. Dr. Nick Mohtadi, Professor, Faculty of Kinesiology and Director, Sports Medicine Centre, led a clinical trial … READ MORE

Are foot orthotics worth it?

A consumer’s guide to the science and controversies of orthotics, special shoes, and other allegedly corrective foot devices. Footprints in the Sand. Pruzi Pixabay by Paul Ingraham, PainScience.com updated Sep 23, 2018 Readers often … READ MORE

Knee brace harvests power from walking

Bionic Power makes wearable technology for charging batteries. Today, we are focused on developing our PowerWalk® Kinetic Energy Harvester for military use and began multi-unit field trials with the US Army, US Marine Corps and … READ MORE

Biomechanics of Sport Shoes: The disturbing truth about running shoes, inserts and foot orthotics

By Dr. Michael Nirenberg, America’s Podiatrist February 24, 2011 A middle-aged woman arrived at my office last week complaining of heel pain and carrying a bag of custom-made foot orthotics (orthotics are custom made arch … READ MORE

Rehabilitation and cerebral palsy

Frequent re-evaluation of orthotic devices is important because children quickly outgrow them and can undergo skin breakdown from improper use of this equipment. Summer camp for children with cerebral palsy. CerebralPalsy.org Author: … READ MORE

AFO Tips from Complex Child

AFOs, or Ankle Foot Orthoses, are very common types of braces worn by children with a wide variety of conditions. When used properly, AFOs can greatly enhance a child’s function, by helping her stand or walk, and may also help … READ MORE

Brace yourself: my ups and downs with AFOs

It was late May 2014, and my wife and I were on our first trip to the Cleveland Clinic. We’d been to Cleveland for a wedding a few years earlier but had been too busy to explore. We booked a room at the Tudor Arms, a cool, old … READ MORE

Knee pain not linked to daily walking levels in mild, moderate knee OA

Knee pain is not associated with the number of steps per day walked among patients with mild or moderate symptomatic knee osteoarthritis, according to findings published in Arthritis Care & Research. Mobility as Medicine: … READ MORE

Empathetic technology: can devices know what you’re feeling?

For some, the word “technology” might evoke cold imagery of steely robots and complex computer algorithms. But a talk on “empathetic technology” at this year’s Wired Health conference did a lot to change … READ MORE

Study tackles non-surgical treatment of knee osteoarthritis

This study is a head-to-head comparison of non-surgical treatment of knee osteoarthritis and total knee replacement surgery. Here is what they found. Florence Dressler illustration in Feminology 1902, page 607. Library of … READ MORE

Knee pain lasting 1 year predicts faster cartilage loss, higher OA risk

Fluctuating and persistent knee pain over 1 year predicts accelerated cartilage loss as well as an increased risk for incident and progressive radiographic osteoarthritis, according to data published in Arthritis Research & … READ MORE

Girl, 3, is Orange family’s inspiration to change the world of pediatric walkers

Serena Zitnay, 3, uses her walker to get around as her older sister Emma, 5, looks on at the family home in Orange. Christian Abraham, Hearst Connecticut Media By Pam McLoughlin, New Haven Register November 21, 2018 Three-year-old … READ MORE

Can virtual reality really transform physical therapy?

Researchers have long seen the potential of virtual reality in rehabilitating patients with movement disorders. But do treatments using VR have advantages over traditional physical therapy? While traditional physical therapy can be … READ MORE

Massage helps ease knee arthritis pain, improves mobility

Short-term improvements in symptoms suggests massage could complement treatment. Study Determines Optimal Dose of Massage for Osteoarthritis of the Knee Pain Research. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) … READ MORE

Spinal stimulation enables three people with paraplegia to walk again

Combined with other recent studies, new evidence points to electrical stimulation as a promising treatment for paralysis. David, 28, who suffered a spinal cord injury, can walk (with a walker) for more than 1 kilometer with electrical … READ MORE

Prehabilitation for TKA may yield shorter length of stay, better discharge disposition

Patients who participated in a prehabilitation protocol for total knee arthroplasty experienced shorter length of stay and better discharge disposition, according to results published in The Annals of Translational Medicine. Prehab … READ MORE

Small new shoe sensor may be a driving ‘force’ to help prevent injuries, improve athletic performance

Sensor can show athletes, trainers where foot impacts are strongest to detect and correct inefficiencies in movement and reduce injuries, also can help diabetics avoid foot blisters. Elite female runners Becky Wade, left, Caroline … READ MORE

3D printed ankle-foot orthotics for functionality and comfort

3D printing has played a large and varied role in medical implants, devices, and more. Australian researchers from the University of Sydney recently published a methodical review, outlining the challenges in traditionally made … READ MORE

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