Lower limb

Software recreates complex movements for medical, rehabilitation, and basic research

An open-source movement simulator that has already helped solve problems in medicine, paleontology, and animal locomotion has been expanded and improved, according to a new publication in the open-access journal PLOS Computational … READ MORE

UBC Okanagan research shows strength training is effective

Physical exercise may not be top of mind for older adults during the COVID-19 outbreak. But according to one UBC Okanagan researcher, strength training can be an effective way to stay healthy while at home. Jennifer Jakobi, professor … READ MORE

Keep your bones strong at every age

Falling may be painful, especially if the landing is less than graceful. Even a few steps out the front door can carry with them the risk of falling. After fifty years. Amsterdam, Netherlands 28 September 2016 Wikimedia Commons CC0 … READ MORE

Foot rotation during gait in patients with knee OA

Rotating the foot in or out during gait is associated with significant decreases in frontal plane knee load during early or late stance, respectively, and can be effective for reducing pain and potentially slowing the progression of … READ MORE

New studies refute claims of fall prevention with AFO bracing

In 2011, a new custom ankle foot orthotic (AFO) brace, herein referred to as the Moore Balance Brace, was introduced to the podiatric community. From the outset, the Moore Balance Brace was marketed and promoted to prevent falls in … 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

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

New wearable sensor for people with incomplete paraplegia

A new electromyography biofeedback device that is wearable and connects to novel smartphone games may offer people with incomplete paraplegia a more affordable, self-controllable therapy to enhance their recovery, according to a new … 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). Shoes for Orthotics, AFOs, DAFOs. CHASA support groups The O&P EDGE … 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

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

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

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

Physiatrists offer non-surgical approach to treating muscle, joint, other conditions that impede function

Dr. Julio A. Martinez-Silvestrini is medical director of Baystate Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation that has a number of locations in the western Massachusetts area. The physiatrist, shown here at Baystate Health and Wellness … 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

Early ACL surgery is less costly, more effective than rehabilitation and delayed reconstruction

“Fix it Now” Best for ACL tears. Former Dallas Texans player Christina Gordon (wearing brace) gave up club soccer after breaking her femur and tearing the ACL in both knees over a three-year span with the Texans. Dallas … 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

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

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

Emergency pediatric space opens at Calgary’s South Health Campus

‘This will be a comforting space where children and parents can come for care.’ Ethan Nielson, a former patient at the Calgary’s South Health Campus, cuts the Ribbon to open a new emergency care space for children, … 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

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