Editor's Memo

Gimme shelter

While the only thing that's certain is change, preparation and planning help direct it and ensure success. Read More

Featured Articles

Foot Orthoses: Materials

Orthotic materials expand to offer more treatment options

Innovative ways of producing and using familiar materials are giving physical therapists and podiatrists a wider selection of orthoses to select from in addressing their patients’ foot conditions. A broader range of colors, densities, durometers, and formulations are now available for everything from orthotic topcovers to socks. Read More

Foot Orthoses: Custom

Researchers back custom orthoses for patients with pes cavus

Results from an Australian study that effectively brought orthotic treatment of painful pes cavus onto the radar of the medical community showed that patients who wore custom orthoses reported significant improvement in pain, function, and quality of life than those in the control group. Read More

Rehabilitation: Exercise & Therapy Devices

Working from the inside out: Core strengthening helps low back therapy

A foam roller can help improve an athlete's balance and precision of movement. It makes a seemingly simple exercise much more difficult. Read More

Rehabilitation: Function Analysis

The war of the wedges: Evolving approaches to windlass dysfunction

Recent findings suggest that preloading the hallux allows the mechanism to engage and helps the leg and foot muscles activate at the proper time and in the proper order. Read More

Foot Orthoses: Scanning Technology

No guesswork: Technology integration benefits design and fabrication

The advent in recent years of new technologies and devices for measuring pressure, both static and dynamic, and movement patterns has revolutionized the way practitioners can prescribe and make orthoses. Read More

Foot Orthoses: Prefabricated

First ray control affects whole-body biomechanics

Modern technology has helped clarify the synergistic nature of the foot's various components. Dysfunction in one part can affect both the function and, eventually, the structure of all. Read More

Braces/Immobilization: Spinal & Hip Braces

Practitioners still favor postoperative spinal orthoses

The practice of prescribing postoperative spinal bracing is dependent on the preferences of both practitioners and patients. Physicians who routinely favor custom bracing will not necessarily recommend it all of the time, or may only prescribe it for selected patients most likely to comply with wearing braces. Read More

Footcare: Footwear

Fashion versus function: Clinicians help patients accept diabetic footwear

Fashonable footwear options are growing for a population that needs them most: diabetes patients who must wear accommodative shoes. Manufacturers are responding with styles that won’t compromise the support and protection necessary for these patients. Read More

Braces/Immobilization: Ankle Braces

Patients with diabetes find rewards of ankle bracing can offset challenges

Research has shown that patients with diabetes are more likely to have impaired balance and proprioception and may require ankle bracing to a greater degree than the average population. Although bracing offers them much-needed stabilization, the risk of ulceration that can also result must be taken into consideration. Read More