Category Archives: Issues
February 2017
Sensor data quantify clubfoot patients’ reported, real brace use
Parents overestimate wear times – Researchers who used temperature-sensitive devices to measure brace-use adherence in children with clubfoot found parents overestimate brace wear time when reporting to clinicians and that children are not in their braces as long as their doctors recommend.
By Peaches Yeilding
February 2017
Martial arts students at risk for lower extremity injury, sequelae
Traumas increase with age, skill level – Martial arts participation has numerous benefits for children and adolescents, but it also has its risks—including lower extremity injury, according to a recent clinical report and literature review published by…
By Chris Klingenberg
November 2016
Early motor skills training in ASD improves locomotion, socialization
Intense therapy creates quick gains – Intense motor skills interventions in young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can significantly improve locomotor and other lower extremity skills in addition to socialization behaviors, according to a recent pilot study.
By Peaches Scribner
November 2016
AFO effects on gastrocnemius underscore heterogeneity of CP
Variations call for adjustable devices – Outfitting pediatric cerebral palsy (CP) patients with two types of ankle foot orthoses (AFOs) elicited various effects, as the medial gastrocnemius operating length in some—but not all—participants was consequently stretched while walking, according to a recent study.
By Greg Gargiulo
November 2016
Home-based ACL injury prevention program fails the compliance test
Oversight, feedback may up buy-in – The idea of injury prevention training in the comfort of one’s own home is appealing on many levels, and researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison are taking steps toward making that type of training feasible and effective for young athletes.
By Chris Klingenberg
November 2016
Therapeutic play plus O&P care is a win-win for kids
O&P practitioners are working with recreational therapists to open doors to leisure activities for kids with lower extremity issues and other disabilities. By expanding their playtime experiences and skills, kids can boost their physical activity, mobility, self-confidence, and social connections.
By Brigid Elsken Galloway
November 2016
Path of least resistance: Sequencing orthotic care
The higher profile the device, the more it perturbs movement, and sometimes kids reject such orthoses because of discomfort or unwieldiness. Starting with the least restrictive device and responding to subtle changes in children’s orthotic needs may improve outcomes and compliance.
By Hank Black
August 2016
Bilateral long-jump practice ups takeoff leg performance
Benefits persist 3 weeks after training – Bilateral practice should be established early in youth long-jump training programs to improve the jumping performance of their dominant (takeoff) leg, according to research from Karlsruhe, Germany, that may have implications for other track and field events.
By Katie Bell
August 2016
Surgery beats conservative care for first-time kneecap dislocations
Less recurrence, better sports outcomes – Adolescent patients with first-time acute patellar dislocations treated surgically have a lower risk for recurrent dislocation and higher knee-related quality of life and sports-related outcomes compared with those managed…
By Greg Gargiulo
August 2016
Whole body vibration boosts speed, stride length in toe-walkers
Most improvements are transient – The findings of a recent Australian study add to early evidence in support of whole body vibration (WBV) as a potentially simple, noninvasive treatment for children with idiopathic toe walking (ITW), with mechanisms still to be worked out.
By Larry Hand