Prosthetic Foot-Ankle Mechanism

Prosthetic Ankle-Foot Mechanism Capable of Automatic Adaptation to the Walking Surface Journal of Biomechanical Engineering (03/09) Vol. 131, No. 3, Williams, Ryan J.; Hansen, Andrew H.; Gard, Steven A. From ACFAS.

A conceptual design for a prosthetic ankle-foot mechanism with the ability to automatically adapt to the slope of the walking surface has been produced, and a prototype mechanism was designed, developed and tested on three subjects with unilateral transtibial amputations walking on level and ramped surfaces as a proof of concept. The device can automatically adapt to the surface by switching impedance modes at key points of the gait cycle, and it mimics the behavior of the physiologic foot and ankle complex by boasting a low impedance in the early stance phase and then shifting to a higher impedance once foot-flat is reached. The "set-point" at which these impedance changes take place is reset on every step so that proper alignment for the surface can be achieved. The user's bodyweight is tapped by the mechanism to help change impedance modes, and no active control is necessary. It was theorized that the mechanism would cause a shift in the equilibrium point of the ankle moment and the ankle dorsiflexion angle in order to accommodate the walking surface, and this behavior was verified for two of the three test subjects.

Dr. Tina A. Boucher, DPM
Central Connecticut Foot Care, LLC
Podiatrist in Meriden CT
http://www.centralctfootcare.com/
Order your free copy of our books "Why Do My Feet Hurt?" and "Heal My Heel!" today!

Dr.'s Remedy Enriched Nail Polish

Soon it will be spring and your digits on your feet will want to show off. But what do you do if you have ugly fungus toe nails?

One product you can use is Dr.'s Remedy Enriched Nail Polish. The polish acts as a anti-fungal medication for your diseased nails and as a way to cover up those unsightly nails as well. Dr.'s Remedy is made with Vitamins C and E to promote healthier skin and nails, and wheat protein which contains protein and amino acids. It is a natural polish with tea tree oil and garlic bulb extract, which are naturally occurring anti-fungal ingredients. What's not in this product is formaldehyde, a chemical that has been proven to cause cancer, DBPs, a potential development and reproductive toxin that may cause birth defects (it is even banned in Europe!), and toluene, a chemical that the EPA restricts in our drinking water; it can cause nervous system disorders and damage to the liver and kidneys.

We sell Dr.'s Remedy Enriched Nail Polish in six colors: Defense, Balance, Purity, Wellness, Calming, and Rescue.

Dr. Tina A. Boucher, DPM
Central Connecticut Foot Care, LLC
Podiatrist in Meriden CT
http://www.centralctfootcare.com/
Order your free copy of our books "Why Do My Feet Hurt?" and "Heal My Heel!" today!

Heat Things Up With Winter Sports

Skiing at a resort or gliding across an indoor ice rink make for great winter recreation. Use caution in winter sports though, so you can finish the day with hot cocoa instead of a cast and crutches.

Beginning ice skaters experience a lot of falls. When that happens, tendons can sprain or tear. Even experienced skaters can fracture an ankle.

Downhill skiiers, cross-country skiiers, and snowboarders also risk injuries to their feet and ankles, including sprains, fractures, and dislocations.

If you do get injured, let our office check it out. It may be a sprain or a fracture, and it's important to get medical treatment promptly for both conditions. An ankle sprain could lead to chronic ankle instability if left untreated. If it's a fracture, you don't want the bones to start healing if they aren't aligned properly.

If an x-ray shows you don't have a fracture, you may still have stretched a tendon or injured a joint. These may worsen without proper treatment and could cause arthritis, tissue damage, and problems with foot alignment. We can help you head off these complications.

Follow these tips to help prevent injuries:

• Make sure skates, ski boots, or snowboard boots fit properly. Lace up ice skates tightly enough to give your ankle proper support.
• If you haven't engaged in this sport since last winter, start two weeks ahead of time doing specific exercises to condition the muscles used in that sport. You can find conditioning and warm-up exercises and resources by doing an Internet search.

Dr. Tina A. Boucher, DPM

Central Connecticut Foot Care, LLC
Podiatrist in Meriden CT
http://www.centralctfootcare.com/
Order your free copy of our books "Why Do My Feet Hurt?" and "Heal My Heel!" today!

Revision Arthoplasty May Be Useful for Failed Total Ankle Arthoplasty Cases

From the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons:

A study by researchers in Switzerland suggests that revision arthroplasty may be a good alternative for failed total ankle arthroplasty. Co-authors of the study, Beat Hintermann, MD, and Alexej Barg, MD, conducted a prospective study that evaluated the ankles of 37 patients who had a failed total ankle arthroplasty. A total of 19 women and 18 men underwent revision arthroplasty using a three-part ankle prosthesis at an average of 4.4. years after their initial arthroplasty. Causes for the revision arthroplasty included loosening of one component (29 ankles), loosening of both components (7), granuloma (1) formation, and pain (9). Surgeons used 20 standard components for the talus and 19 standard components for the tibia for the revision arthroplasty. A mean follow-up of three years revealed that nearly 65 percent of the ankles were pain-free, there was a 33-point increase in AOFAS scores, and 78 percent satisfaction. “The hindfoot score improved from 39 to 72 at the mean follow-up of 3 years,” Hintermann says.

Dr. Tina A. Boucher, DPM
Central Connecticut Foot Care, LLC
Podiatrist in Meriden CT
http://www.centralctfootcare.com/
Order your free copy of our books "Why Do My Feet Hurt?" and "Heal My Heel!" today!