Lower limb

Auckland vibration therapy trial offers hope to sufferers

A vibration-based therapy trial in Auckland could help young people with cerebral palsy. Aucklander Luke Torrens Kelly, 14, was one of 40 people with cerebral palsy, aged 11 to 20, in a new trial that showed vibration therapy … READ MORE

Portable 3D scanner assesses patients with elephantiasis

Device measures swollen limbs faster, more easily than other methods. A portable scanning device produces a 3D reconstruction of swollen legs caused by lymphatic filariasis, a disease that infects millions globally. Researchers at … READ MORE

Living in a greener neighbourhood could lower your risk of death

Not just parks but also streetside trees and lawns could have health benefits, study suggests. In Japan, they call it shinrin-yoku – literally, “forest bathing.” Here, we might just call it a walk in the park. Either … READ MORE

A safe space for kids with special needs: Vancouver Phoenix Gymnastics

Finding fun outside of the home can be difficult for children with special needs and their families. Thankfully, Vancouver Phoenix Gymnastics gives kids with special needs and disabilities the perfect place to learn and play. The … READ MORE

South Health Campus, AHS

Dr. Cheri Nijssen-Jordan in the pediatric unit at the South Health Campus in Calgary, Alberta on May 29, 2013. Leah Hennel, Calgary Herald General Pediatric Clinic Dr. Nadira Rashid Dr. Adel El Sharkawy Allison Massey PT This service … READ MORE

Neurodevelopmental physical therapy improves spasticity in children with CP

A physical therapy approach known as neurodevelopmental treatment can improve shaking but not movement in children with cerebral palsy, according to a South Korean study in the Journal of Physical Therapy Science. Neurodevelopmental … READ MORE

AFOs and balance issues in peripheral neuropathy

At a symposium in Cape Town, South Africa, an orthotist demonstrated his technique for treating balance issues in patients with peripheral neuropathy using ankle foot orthoses (AFOs), and a team of researchers theorized about … READ MORE

Can AFOs help prevent falls?

Studies suggest that ankle foot orthoses can improve balance in some individuals, so it might seem logical that they would also help prevent falls. But the medical literature has yet to reveal a direct connection between AFOs and … READ MORE

Golfer travels to Oshawa to use assistive device to help him play round of golf

Golf gives paralyzed former champion shot at life. In this July, 27, 2017 photo, Chris Haubach lines up a shot uses a three-wheeled Ottobock ParaGolfer that allows him to play golf at Wolf Hollow Golf Course in Lena, Illinois. Haubach … READ MORE

A lower body approach to lumbar pain in pitchers

What do gators, windmills, and lawnmowers all have in common? All three are nicknames for exercises that incorporate strengthening or stretching of muscles in both the lower back and the lower extremities. And all three are examples … READ MORE

Calgary’s Kyle Miller makes history as first golfer with cerebral palsy in PGA event

26-year-old Kyle Miller determined to soldier through despite challenges. Calgary’s Kyle Miller has an exemption to play in Mackenzie Tour-PGA Tour Canada’s ATB Financial Classic 2017, August 10-13 at the Country Hills … READ MORE

Understanding hypotonia

Diagnostic challenges should not delay clinical intervention. Hypotonia, or abnormally low muscle tone, is by itself not a disorder but a symptom of an enormous array of issues—many of which can be difficult to diagnose accurately. … READ MORE

Kinematics identify subgroups of kids with CP and equinovarus

Chicago researchers have identified clinically relevant subgroups based on foot and ankle kinematics in children with equinovarus secondary to hemiplegic cerebral palsy (CP) that could help improve treatment planning and clinical … READ MORE

MS marathoner Cheryl Hile conquers Antarctica

Back in September, I told you about Cheryl Hile. Cheryl is a young woman with MS whose goal is to become the first person with MS to run in seven marathons on seven continents. by Ed Tobias, Multiple Sclerosis News Today February 7, … READ MORE

7-year-old’s mystery illness baffles specialists

Gracie Lee Straus loves taking photographs of people and turning them into jigsaw puzzles on her iPad — from her friends and teachers to her doctors, nurses and therapists. She loves puzzles, even the old-fashioned, hands-on ones. … READ MORE

Recreation programs foster inclusion

It’s all about playing together. That’s the philosophy of special recreation inclusion efforts integrating those with special needs into mainstream park programs. Laney Myers, right, works to get control of the ball during … READ MORE

How magic tricks help children with cerebral palsy

For children with hemiplegia, a common form of cerebral palsy, learning to be a magician is remarkably effective therapy — as attendees at the Breathe Magic summer camp find out. A child at Breathe Magic. Photographs: Graeme … READ MORE

Effectiveness of passive stretching in children with cerebral palsy

Neurological disorders often cause increased muscle tone — too much tightness — in muscles of the arms and legs. Spasticity results from significantly increased muscle tone, limiting movement and joint mobility. Cerebral palsy — … READ MORE

Range of therapies help patients living with physical challenges after a stroke

It was Father’s Day, back in June 1998, when the life of David Andrews was abruptly turned upside down. The Vancouver engineer had just returned home after a long walk with his wife Merylin. He was chasing his dog, who was poking … READ MORE

Out on a limb: Valuable testimony

A person’s testimony doesn’t always agree with objective evidence—that’s why some defense attorneys won’t allow their clients to take the stand during a trial, even in their own defense. Similarly, as most clinicians know, … READ MORE

Efforts to optimize outcomes focus on AFO stiffness, alignment

Given the heterogeneity of many patient populations for whom ankle foot orthoses (AFOs) are indicated, it’s not surprising that AFO experts are at the forefront of the current trend favoring customization of devices to meet … READ MORE

Quantifying functional effects of AFO alignment

Assessing device alignment is a key aspect of prosthetic practice, but when it comes to lower extremity orthotics the process is less common. That’s changing, however, as researchers begin to document the effects of alignment on … READ MORE

Out on a limb: Healing arts

Healthcare practitioners and artists wouldn’t seem to have much in common, other than perhaps an appreciation of anatomy. But a new book has made me think the two professions also share an appreciation of people. The woman in the … READ MORE

Toddler with cerebral palsy takes first steps wearing magic shoes

A toddler has taken her first independent steps wearing revolutionary shoes made by a small company in Sydney’s west. A Mum’s Perspective – Crowdfunding 3D printed equipment for kids with disabilities. AbilityMate 9NEWS … READ MORE

Effect of AFO design on walking after stroke

Gait speed linked to braking force. Rigid ankle foot orthoses increase gait speed in hemiplegic stroke patients, but not for the reasons one might think, according to research from the Kessler Foundation Research Center in New Jersey. … READ MORE

Stepping up: Orthotic devices help boost physical activity levels

Improved mobility with ankle foot orthoses and other devices can help patients experience the multiple health benefits of increased physical activity. But aggressive activity goals— including the oft-cited target of 10,000 steps per … READ MORE

Zimbabwe’s breakdance king who uses a wheelchair

When Blessing Fire was born in Zimbabwe, he was told by doctors that he would never be able to walk like a ‘normal child.’ But no-one said anything about breakdancing. ‘I wanted to walk but I also wanted to dance. It … READ MORE

Never count yourself out: Sledge hockey gold

If anyone had told a younger Jeremy Hall, bound in a wheelchair and later, leg braces, that he would go on to become a national gold-medal winning hockey player, he wouldn’t have believed it. Team Alberta, which includes Jeremy Hall … READ MORE

Stroke, MS patients walk significantly better with neural stimulation

Robert Bush has multiple sclerosis (MS), which sapped his ability to walk five years ago. Joseph McGlynn suffered a stroke that seriously impaired his left side, also five years ago. Neural stimulation helps Joseph McGlynn, left, who … READ MORE

Will an orthosis help you walk better with MS?

Difficulty walking due to muscle weakness, muscle spasms, and balance issues is common among people who have multiple sclerosis (MS). You can move naturally with the WalkOn during the day. When you crouch down or walk up a set of … READ MORE

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