Biomechanics

Human movement science

Measuring postural sway to diagnose neuromuscular disorders

A new technique might be used to diagnose neuromuscular disorders such as multiple sclerosis or impairment from concussions by detecting and measuring subtle oscillations in a person’s standing posture. Eadweard Muybridge … READ MORE

Children with Charcot-Marie-Tooth respond to AFOs

Muscle weakness and instability associated with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease in children can be addressed with ankle foot orthoses, research suggests, but practitioners should be aware of the limitations of AFOs in this patient … READ MORE

AFO users must rethink concept of ‘normal’ gait

Ankle foot orthoses can make a neuromuscular patient’s gait pattern more like that of an unaffected person, but the devices can also be associated with compensations of their own. And in some patients, a more ‘normal’ gait … READ MORE

Hemiplegic CP: Effects in the uninvolved limb

In patients with spastic hemiplegic CP, practitioners and researchers tend to focus primarily on the hemiplegic limb. But hemiplegia also leads to impairments in the uninvolved limb, which are important to consider when designing a … READ MORE

Significant degeneration of knee cartilage in overweight people, over time

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease in which the articular cartilage protecting the joint starts to degenerate and wear off over time. The main risk factors of osteoarthritis are advanced age and overweight-induced significant … READ MORE

Factors that influence prescription of foot orthoses

Despite foot orthoses being one of the main interventions for foot pathology, there is a lack of knowledge about current orthotic practice and the use of technology within it. My way… (but your way is good too). Dancified ‘Current … READ MORE

Knee osteoarthritis: Daily walking maintains function

Patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) can gain significant benefits and avoid physical function limitations by simply walking more, Daniel K. White PT ScD and colleagues report in Arthritis Care & Research. Janis C. Kelly, … READ MORE

Out on a limb: The arch triumphs

The spring-like properties of the arch of the foot may improve running economy. Could the right footwear design help even more? Boys from the Paris Opera Ballet School By Jordana Bieze Foster, Editor, Lower Extremity Review February … READ MORE

Shoe flexibility influences gait in early walkers

Sole stiffness affects stance time. A recent study published in the winter issue of Pediatric Physical Therapy found that children just learning to walk may have altered gait characteristics when wearing flexible shoes. Myths about … READ MORE

Vibration therapy improves mobility and strength in young people with cerebral palsy

Young adults with cerebral palsy enjoy stronger bones and greater mobility after training on a specialised vibration plate. Mobility-enhancing care in CP helps strengthen bones. Kids at the Atlanta center work on improving motor … READ MORE

Aggressive rehab safe after knee replacement

Aggressive rehabilitation after total knee arthroplasty is safe and could lead to earlier functional recovery without compromising range of motion, new research shows. 5 tips for faster knee surgery recovery. Spring Loaded Technology … READ MORE

Using the Arts to promote healthy aging

“Movement enriches the quality of their lives,” Ms. Haas said. “It’s absolutely healing. Balance, mobility, strength — everything improves.” Throughout the country, the arts are pumping new life into the bodies and minds … READ MORE

Physical therapy for knee osteoarthritis

New study puts four treatment strategies to the test. We believed there was a need to improve both the magnitude and sustainability of treatment effects of exercise therapy for improving pain and function in people with knee OA. G. … READ MORE

Calgary OA knee brace clinic – relieve knee pain, boost your mobility

Resume the activities you love. Unloading braces cushion the knee joint, help absorb impact and prevent bone to bone contact due to cartilage degeneration. Relieve knee pain due to degeneration or inflammation linked to … READ MORE

Custom foot orthotics

Any insole that offers an increased level of support is probably better than nothing, but the difference between a prefab [off the shelf] and a full custom orthotic is basically on a scale of varying levels of support and specificity. … READ MORE

Improving foot posture, balance in CMT may aid ankle stability

Early care advised for FAI prevention. “…ankle sprains in children with CMT are not prevented adequately as the neurological condition is not often diagnosed in childhood, unless present in another family member. He noted that … READ MORE

Combination therapy eases OA knee pain

“…the long-term clinical studies of stimulator treatment have shown reductions in pain and associated symptoms, improved function, overall improvement in OA knees, and substantial deferral of TKA for at least 4 years.” Lower … READ MORE

Optimize bracing for knee OA

Significant improvements in pain, function and loading, and propulsive forces were seen with the valgus brace. Evoke™ knee brace highlights. OssKin By Larry Hand, Lower Extremity Review November 2013 ▽ Table of Contents … READ MORE

Brace yourself for knee pain relief

If you’re among the estimated 10 million [Americans, annually] who have been diagnosed with osteoarthritis of the knee, take heart in knowing that several nonsurgical options, pharmacologic and otherwise, are available for … READ MORE

Ankle-foot orthoses improve CP gait

Strategies alter ankle, knee kinematics. Floor-reaction ankle foot orthoses and wedge-based tuning significantly improve ankle and knee kinematics in children with cerebral palsy, according to separate studies from Greenvile, SC, and … READ MORE

Why we get running injuries (and how to prevent them)

Warm weather is on its way across the country — really, it is, I promise — and so are spring marathons, meaning that many people soon will begin a new or augmented running program. Many also will wind up sidelined by injury. But a … READ MORE

Pectus excavatum and Pectus carinatum: Associated conditions, family history, and post-operative patient satisfaction

Background. Pectus excavatum (PE) and pectus carinatum (PC) are the most common chest wall deformities. In this study, we aimed to characterize how patients obtained information about these deformities, as well as patients’ family … READ MORE

Fitter legs linked to a fitter brain

Polka Dot Twins, 1952. Harold Feinstein. Identical twins in Finland who shared the same sports and other physical activities as youngsters but different exercise habits as adults soon developed quite different bodies and brains, … READ MORE

Knee instability treatment may help older adults prevent falls

Interventions that reduce knee buckling may help prevent falls, fall-related injuries and adverse psychological consequences of falls in persons with knee OA. Hikers in Banff National Park Symptoms of knee instability in older adults … READ MORE

Rockers and rollovers: Implications for AFOs

Practitioners and researchers are redefining rocking and rolling as key components of gait, and designing ankle foot orthoses and other orthotic and prosthetic devices to specifically address impairments in the way certain patients … READ MORE

Biomechanics of propulsion: Implications for AFOs

For many patients, the ability of an ankle foot orthosis to enhance propulsion is key to improving gait efficiency and reducing fatigue. But experts are only beginning to understand the biomechanical complexities that influence … READ MORE

Step up your workout with Nordic walking

Trekking poles, traditionally used in Nordic walking, are almost everywhere walkers walk today – and with good reason: Using them burns more calories and has other benefits that regular walking doesn’t offer. By Sean Kelley, … READ MORE

Charcot-Marie-Tooth: AFO mechanics and gait patterns

Patients with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease showing the greatest increase in speed appear to respond to and utilize the energy storing and releasing properties of a carbon fiber composite ankle foot orthosis differently from those who … READ MORE

Foot instability in Down syndrome linked to hallux valgus, narrow shoes

Regular foot checks may curb problems. A recent study published in the Journal of Foot and Ankle Research found that hallux valgus and too-narrow footwear contribute to foot-specific disability in children with Down syndrome. … READ MORE

Wearable chair for surgeons

Here is a wearable chair that allows surgeons to perform long surgeries with less muscle fatigue. It supports a half-sitting posture and reduces the burden of standing for hours each day. Cool Wearables. Archelis wearable chair helps … READ MORE

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