Biomechanics

Human movement science

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

Exercising at home improves walking ability in children with CP

A structured home-based exercise program can improve walking ability in children with cerebral palsy (CP), a new study has found. Results of the research were published in Journal of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine. How can … READ MORE

I’m learning to accept the benefits of my mobility aids

I recently read an article in the Virginia Journal of Education that made me think about my feelings toward my mobility aids. The author, Kelly Hickok, is a wheelchair user, and she described how mobility aids give her a sense of … READ MORE

Meet the world’s first CrossFit trainer with cerebral palsy

How CrossFitter Steph Hammerman Became Nike’s First Adaptive Training Sponsored Athlete. Steph Hammerman was born with cerebral palsy and doctors believed she would never walk, talk, read or write. But the 29-year-old from North … READ MORE

Use of ankle-foot orthotics linked to improved gait, balance in CMT patients

Use of orthoses such as braces or other special devices can help improve the gait and balance of patients with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, but patients don’t always follow recommendations for their use, a review study has found. … READ MORE

Suit up with a robot to walk and run more easily

A versatile, portable exosuit that assists both walking and running highlights the potential for lightweight and non-restrictive wearable robots outside the lab. Lightweight Exosuits are a new class of soft robots that combine … READ MORE

How do muscle and tendon connections last a lifetime?

Cell biologists show in fruit flies how a protein controls mechanical stress on muscle-tendon attachments. Lengthwise cut through the thorax of a fruit fly having an inserted force sensor in the talin protein. The force sensor on the … READ MORE

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

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