Lower limb

Physical activity of older people requires tailored monitoring

The ability to move about may deteriorate when ageing, a phenomenon which needs to be considered when assessing physical activity in older people. A study on active ageing at the University of Jyväskylä examined movement that … READ MORE

Kids’ physical activity before age 5 matters so much because of the developing brain

Both when planning family activities and choosing a child care provider, parents should be mindful of how much physical activity their children are getting. Family Influence. 2020 ParticipACTION Report Card on Physical Activity for … READ MORE

Putting the spring-cam back into stroke patients steps

A research group has developed a new, lightweight and motor-less device that can be easily attached to an ankle support device – otherwise known as an ankle foot orthosis (AFO). The new device will aid stroke patients in their … READ MORE

Keep moving to prevent major mobility disability

Nordic walking on a trail. Yale University News HIA Guest Blog, Health in Aging June 9, 2020 Having trouble getting around on your own—such as difficulty walking, climbing steps, or being able to get in and out of a chair—can … READ MORE

AFO breakthrough helps children with Cerebral palsy walk and play

Children with Cerebral Palsy have more energy to play and be physically active for longer, thanks to specially designed orthotics. AFOs for kids with cerebral palsy improve stability. Pinterest photo Staffordshire University 9 June … READ MORE

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

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

AFO effects on gastrocnemius underscore heterogeneity of CP

Variations call for adjustable devices. We can hopefully create devices in the future that adapt, learn, and grow with each individual. – Katherine Steele PhD Cascade DAFO By Greg Gargiulo, Lower Extremity Review November 2016 … READ MORE

Orthotics in Cerebral Palsy – Physiopedia

Surestep birthday party. Physiopedia UK November 6, 2019 An orthosis by definition, is “an externally applied device used to modify the structural and functional characteristics of the neuromuscular and skeletal system.” … 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

After treatment, changes in motor capacity in CP children do not necessarily predict their performance in daily life

After an intensive treatment period, changes in motor capacity in children with cerebral palsy, as observed in a standardized environment, do not correlate well with actual motor performance in daily life, a new study suggests. The … 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

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

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

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