Biomechanics

Human movement science

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

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

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