Lower limb

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

Mini MRI pinpoints ‘magic angle’ for more accurate diagnosis of knee injury

Researchers at Imperial College London have developed a prototype mini MRI scanner that fits around a patient’s leg. Knee injuries affect millions of people – and MRI scans are crucial to diagnosing the problem, leading to quick … 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

On bended knees: The quest for new knees is complete

Last fall I decided to face my biggest challenge and undergo bilateral knee replacement surgery. It was a fascinating journey I had actually started years earlier – but my own paralyzing fear kept me postponing surgery dates after … READ MORE

South Health Campus to open pediatric emergency care space

The South Health Campus is a big step closer to opening a pediatric emergency care space because of an anonymous donation of $3.9 million. Kids covers their hands in paint and are joined by dignitaries for the announcement of a $3.9 … 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

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

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

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

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

Path of least resistance: Sequencing orthotic care

The higher profile the device, the more it perturbs movement, and sometimes kids reject such orthoses because of discomfort or unwieldiness. Starting with the least restrictive device and responding to subtle changes in children’s … READ MORE

What happens to your shoulder when you use crutches?

We are recruiting volunteers for our study. Participants will be asked to move with different crutches. A motion capture system will record shoulder movement and muscle activity. 3D render of a male figure with close up of shoulder … READ MORE

Orthotic management: A symptom-based, dynamic approach

Orthotic devices, tailored to each patient and adjusted for disease progression, can improve mobility by addressing gait impairments and maintaining stability. By Cary Groner, Lower Extremity Review May 2015 Jeff Seitzer. Joshua … READ MORE

Patellofemoral pain syndrome (runner’s knee)

Patellofemoral syndrome or patellofemoral pain syndrome is a term used to describe pain around the patella or kneecap and in the front of the knee. International case series with train supports. In total, 1,651 patient cases were … READ MORE

Orthosis use in children with Down syndrome

The literature on preschool-aged and older children with Down syndrome tends to be consistent with conventional understanding of orthotic principles, but in very young children clinical decision-making about orthoses must also … READ MORE

Personalized strength training may benefit mobility of children with cerebral palsy

Strength training has the potential to reduce muscle weakness and improve walking ability of children with cerebral palsy (CP), but should be adapted to each child’s muscle response, according to a study published in the Journal … READ MORE

Non-invasive brain stimulation may help treat symptoms of rare movement disorders

Electrical stimulation of the brain and spinal cord may help treat the symptoms of rare movement disorders called neurodegenerative ataxias, according to a study published in the August 22, 2018, online issue of Neurology, the medical … READ MORE

Physiatry Bracing/Orthotics Clinic – Foothills Medical Centre, Alberta Health Services

NEW Bracing Clinic for adults with complex conditions. Conditions include nerve injury, burns, spinal cord injury, stroke, myopathy brain injury, cerebral palsy, sports injury, or inflammatory arthritis. Referrals from Family … READ MORE

The right trousers: Wallace and Gromit inspire artificial muscle clothing

Smart trousers could dramatically change lives of people with mobility problems. Wallace and his dog Gromit in the film The Wrong Trousers by Nick Park. Allstar photo in The Guardian. Layal Liverpool, The Guardian 11 September 2018 … READ MORE

Gait scores can help identify CMT and determine severity, study suggests

Two scores that evaluate gait characteristics may help differentiate between those who have Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease and those who are not affected, according to a study. [1] Making adjustments: Jori Reijonen, of Kalamazoo, … READ MORE

New physical activity guidelines – A call to activity for clinicians and patients

This issue of JAMA includes a summary of the new Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd edition.[1] These guidelines update those presented in 2008 and expand the medical conditions for which physical activity is likely … READ MORE

On bended knees: Two steps forward, one step back

Sun Media national lifestyle and food editor Rita DeMontis recently wrote about her struggles with advanced osteoarthritis knee issues, and how she faced the toughest challenge of her life: Bilateral knee surgery. In Part Four of her … READ MORE

Wearable sensors help prevent falls

Motion sensors on the wrist evaluate the risk of falling for elderly people in everyday life – Basis for better preventative measures. Fall prevention is an important issue in the health care of the elderly. Markus Breig, KIT Sarah … READ MORE

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