Shoes

Feet first

Knock knees, bowlegs, pigeon toes? Usually nothing to worry about!

Babies have to fold into a tight little ball as they develop in their mom’s womb, right? When they come out, and stretch and move those little arms and legs, we realize what a miracle it was that they ever fit inside! Their bodies … READ MORE

Orthotics 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. Adapting splints and footwear can decrease the energy children with Cerebral Palsy use by as much as … READ MORE

The ‘Darby’: Calgary woman with cerebral palsy inspires line of shoes

For the first time in 37 years, Darby Young has a pair of shoes that will last. Watch Shoes for the soul: Canadian shoe designer creates perfect pair. Everyone deserves to have a fancy, fashionable pair of shoes. It was that simple … READ MORE

Could a knee brace help ease your osteoarthritis pain?

Understanding your options. While there’s no cure for knee osteoarthritis, a combination of strategies can help relieve your pain and keep you active. Össur Unloader One knee brace Orthopaedics, Cleveland Clinic December 3, 2019 … 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

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

Class of 2019: Design grad takes deep dive into sustainable shoe design

Kristine Vodon successfully blends academic and athletic in her wakeskate shoe concept. Kristine Vodon graduated with her Master’s of Environmental Design from the University of Calgary School of Architecture, Planning and … 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

Are foot orthotics worth it?

A consumer’s guide to the science and controversies of orthotics, special shoes, and other allegedly corrective foot devices. Footprints in the Sand. Pruzi Pixabay by Paul Ingraham, PainScience.com updated Sep 23, 2018 Readers often … READ MORE

Biomechanics of Sport Shoes: The disturbing truth about running shoes, inserts and foot orthotics

By Dr. Michael Nirenberg, America’s Podiatrist February 24, 2011 A middle-aged woman arrived at my office last week complaining of heel pain and carrying a bag of custom-made foot orthotics (orthotics are custom made arch … READ MORE

The best Nike shoes for women on Zappos, according to hyper-enthusiastic reviewers

Here at the Strategist, we like to think of ourselves as crazy (in the good way) about the stuff we buy, but as much as we’d like to, we can’t try everything. Which is why we have People’s Choice, in which we find the … 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

When the shoe doesn’t fit: footwear in Down syndrome

These children often have wider, more flexible, and more pronated feet than typically developing kids that don’t fit well into conventionally sized and shaped footwear. Ill-fitting shoes are linked to foot-specific disability and … 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

Nike signs runner with cerebral palsy

A junior at the University of Oregon, Justin Gallegos becomes the first athlete with cerebral palsy to sign a pro contract with Nike. A lifelong race: Justin Gallegos doesn’t let Cerebral Palsy keep him from running. Adam Eberhardt, … READ MORE

Finding shoes for kids with disabilities is hard. It shouldn’t be

Author Cassi Young’s son Luke can’t wear standard shoes because they don’t fit over his ankle-foot orthotic braces. Cassi Young photo My son, Luke, was born 18 months ago with myelomeningocele, the most severe form of spina … READ MORE

New biomechanical footwear relieves knee OA pain

A new biomechanical footwear system was effective in relieving pain and improving physical function among patients with knee osteoarthritis, according to results of a randomized controlled trial presented at the ACR/ARHP 2018 Annual … READ MORE

Do I need foot orthotics? What kind?

Many people come to my office complaining of foot pain from conditions such as bunions, hammertoes, a pinched nerve (neuroma), or heel pain (plantar fasciitis). I perform a thorough evaluation and examination, and together we review … READ MORE

Science and sociology of footwear

The design and construction of footwear is constantly evolving in order to maximise its role of providing protection for the external environment, accommodate bony and soft tissue problems and assist in the biomechanical function of … READ MORE

Children should spend more time barefoot to encourage a healthier foot structure

Humans have gone unshod for millions of years; it is only in the last few centuries that people have started wearing shoes. However, a recent survey shows that shoe wearing among young boys isn’t universal. German children and … READ MORE

‘P-rouette’ is a 3D-printed ballet shoe designed to reduce pain

Bezalel Academy of Art and Design graduate Hadar Neeman has created personalised ballet shoes using 3D-printing technology to reduce dancer’s pain. The reimagined ballet shoe is adapted to fit the user’s foot, providing … READ MORE

Footwear habits influence child and adolescent motor skill development

Researchers show that regular physical activity without shoes may improve children’s and adolescents’ balancing and jumping skills. CC0 Public Domain Pixabay Science Daily July 11, 2018 New research finds that children and … READ MORE

Class of 2018: Kinesiology PhD grad helps soccer elite perform their best

Stefan Hoerzer lands dream job with adidas in Germany. University of Calgary PhD grad Stefan Hoerzer was busy customizing soccer footwear in advance of the FIFA World Cup in Russia, which starts June 14. By Scott Cruickshank, … READ MORE

This marathoner with cerebral palsy just got the Nike hookup

On Sunday, Justin Gallegos, who has Cerebral Palsy, completed a half marathon. Nike helped him create his dream shoe. Justin Gallegos. Jordan Beckett Photo courtesy of Nike By Elizabeth Segran, Fast Company May 1, 2018 As a high … READ MORE

Calgary doctor, entrepreneur scores finalist spot in international innovation competition

Dr. Breanne Everett makes smart shoes that can prevent injuries to diabetics’ feet. Dr. Breanne Everett shares her pitch for Orpyx at the Pitch@Palace boot camp at Facebook London on Friday. Pitch@Palace Facebook Sarah … READ MORE

If the shoe fits: How HP is helping NFL players avoid injury

Now installed in all 32 NFL teams’ locker rooms, HP’s FitStation technology helps players find the best cleat models for their feet in a few seconds. Consider the NFL player’s shoe. Aside from being a sponsorship opportunity, … READ MORE

What to know about supination of the foot

Supination and pronation are parts of a stride. Supination occurs when weight is placed on the outside of the foot while walking or running. When the opposite happens, and a person shifts their weight from the heel to the forefoot, it … READ MORE

Parents shouldn’t over worry about early issues with children’s knees and feet

Most early anomalies in a child’s gait will work themselves out, says Dr. Peter Nieman. Childhood development can be a time of both excitement and stress. On the one hand, it is exciting for parents to document their baby’s … READ MORE

Out on a limb: Low tech, high value

The use of advanced technologies to provide feedback to patients during rehabilitation is all the rage in lower extremity healthcare. But, as exciting as these new modalities can be, it’s important to remember that low-tech feedback … READ MORE

Runners’ knees get a lift: Elevating heel cuts patellofemoral load

Wearing heel lifts in conventional running shoes can help reduce patellofemoral joint loading and may offer an alternative to gait retraining in runners with patellofemoral pain (PFP), according to research conducted at the … READ MORE

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