Lower limb

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

Patellofemoral pain symptoms improved after gait modification

Running gait modifications designed to reduce patellofemoral loading also have immediate symptomatic benefits in patients with patellofemoral pain, according to research from Laval University in Quebec City, Canada. College of Liberal … READ MORE

Noisy knees may be an early sign of knee osteoarthritis

People who hear grating, cracking, or popping sounds in or around their knee joint may be at increased risk of developing knee osteoarthritis. Garry Knight Photo Flickr Penny Smith, EurekAlert! 04 May 2017 A new study using data from … READ MORE

Orthotic brace helps New England farmer live without pain

For roughly the last dozen years of Phil Stevens’ life, pain has been a daily companion. Stevens, a third-generation dairy farmer on a 1,000-acre spread in Barre, Massachusetts, fell off the metal roof he was building in April 2003. … READ MORE

The US beauty queen making her invisible illness visible

“It’s not easy to stand on stage in a bikini in pageants. I have a 25-inch scar that runs down my spine. And people can see it… like, really see it.” Victoria poses in a backless ball gown revealing her surgery … READ MORE

A runner’s guide to the perfect shoe

In 2010, the running-shoe world was in turmoil. The rapid rise of barefoot and minimalist running had sparked a critical re-evaluation of all the fancy technology packed into the most popular shoes – rollbars, heel lifts, cushioning … READ MORE

Orthotic management techniques for children with CP

Consider range of motion and alignment when helping children with cerebral palsy push functional limits. A wise child once taught me, Never Say Never. AFOwear by Anthony Calabro, Healio O&P News July 2011 American Academy of … READ MORE

Carbon fiber AFO-SMO orthoses improved gait in patient with cerebral palsy

The use of a carbon fiber ankle-foot orthosis with supramalleolar orthosis inner boots improved the gait of a 13-year-old patient with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy, according to data presented at the Association of Children’s … READ MORE

Hinged vs solid AFOs for cerebral palsy: No significant difference in gait

There are no significant differences in gait or gross mobility between hinged and solid ankle-foot orthoses for patients with cerebral palsy who could walk without an assistive device, according to a study presented at the Association … READ MORE

Doctor-Patient communication, a thorny challenge

Many veteran doctors have probably been there: You sit your patient down and explain their diagnosis. You walk them through how to take their medication. They nod and promise that they don’t have any questions. Next visit, you … READ MORE

Home may be the best place to recover after total joint replacement surgery

Despite higher costs, many doctors recommend and some patients prefer, recovery at an in-patient rehabilitation facility following total hip (THR) or total knee replacement (TKR) surgery. And yet a new study to be presented Thursday, … READ MORE

Shared doctor-patient orthopaedic treatment decisions improve outcomes, patient experience

Well-informed patients who decide with their orthopaedic surgeon what treatment is best for them have better outcomes and higher patient satisfaction rates, according to new study presented today at the 2017 Annual Meeting of the … READ MORE

Tuned AFO improves gait in patient with stroke

Adjusting the mechanical properties, alignment, plantar flexion and dorsiflexion resistance of a novel ankle-foot orthosis improved hemiparetic gait in a patient with stroke, according to data presented at the American Academy of … READ MORE

AFO stiffness can help optimize patient function

Decisions related to the stiffness of an ankle foot orthosis (AFO)—whether they involve device design or the materials from which it’s fabricated—can help lower extremity clinicians customize stability, biomechanics, and muscle … READ MORE

Pediatric orthotic management: Children are different

They are not just small adults; some things are very different, though some are just smaller. I often tell our physical medicine and rehabilitation residents in training that there are only two differences between adult and pediatric … READ MORE

Obesity in pregnancy tied to cerebral palsy in kids

Women who are overweight or obese during pregnancy may be increasing the chances that their baby could be born with cerebral palsy, a new study suggests. Excess pre-pregnancy weight may slightly raise baby’s cerebral palsy risk. … READ MORE

Children’s backs: Trolleys do less damage than backpacks

Researchers at the University of Granada warn that 23 percent of the girls carry a load over 20 percent of their body weight in their backpack or trolley — well above what is recommended. Backpack or Suitcase? The Travel Hack … READ MORE

Horseback riding improves children’s cognitive ability

Study shows how the effects of horseback riding improve learning in children. Recent research published in Frontiers in Public Health shows that the effects of vibrations produced by horses during horse-riding lead to the activation … READ MORE

Online intervention reduces knee pain, improves mobility

A suite of online interventions provided substantial pain relief and improved mobility for patients with chronic knee pain, according to a study published online February 21 in the Annals of Internal Medicine. The interventions … READ MORE

Quadricep strength and speed of force affects knee osteoarthritis

Quadricep strength and speed of force production (SFP) both affect physical functioning in people with, or at risk for, knee osteoarthritis, according to research presented this week at the Association of Academic Physiatrists Annual … READ MORE

Calgary Flames sign Fionn Daly to one-day contract

The nine-year-old is currently playing for the Calgary Venom of the Calgary Sledge Hockey Association. On Monday, the Calgary Flames, with the help of Make-A-Wish, signed nine-year-old defenceman Fionn Daly to a one-day contract. … READ MORE

Edmonton researchers help young stroke patients regain mobility

One in every 1,000 babies suffer from a stroke either in utero or shortly after birth. Edmonton researchers are trying to help those young child stroke patients regain mobility and learn how to walk. Linda Hoang with files from Carmen … READ MORE

US study finds no way to predict risk of joint replacements

The American federal government has started a program that penalizes hospitals for readmission of joint replacement patients within 90 days, but a new study finds there is no good index for assessing that risk. Replace, but … READ MORE

Uneven terrain: Tactics for orthotic device users

Helping patients manage an orthotic device can be challenging, but doing so in the face of uneven terrain is a balancing act between stability, mobility, and strength. Device adjustments and rehabilitation protocols can help … READ MORE

Tai chi improves well-being and pain relief in knee osteoarthritis

Tai chi was found to improve well-being and relieve pain in patients with knee osteoarthritis, according to research published in Annals of Internal Medicine. Master Geng Zhang Cai is the Canadian national Wushu team coach, official … READ MORE

Early AFO use significantly enhances benefits of stroke rehabilitation

Functional balance test scores rise. Use of an ankle foot orthosis (AFO) within six weeks of stroke results in better balance outcomes and earlier independent ambulation than if AFO use is delayed, according to research from the … READ MORE

Part 2: When a knee replacement specialist needs his own new knee

A noted surgeon gains insight into managing postop pain—his own. In part 1 of his account of his knee replacement surgery, knee replacement specialist Ira H. Kirschenbaum MD, chairman of the Department of Orthopedics at … READ MORE

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