Heritage Medical Equipment, LLC

Motocross Knee Braces Proven Effective!

 

It's not a surprise, kind of like proving water is wet, but the American Journal of Sports Medicine recently published a study that concluded, "The use of prophylactic knee bracing appears to have a beneficial effect in preventing medial collateral ligament and anterior cruciate ligament injuries as well as overall knee injury occurrence. These findings may be applicable to other sports that involve similar forces and mechanics."

The study was conducted at the Sanders Clinic for Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine in Houston.  The researchers define "prophylactic knee braces" as "any knee brace worn by a rider with the intent of preventing an injury to the knee.

The study examined data from 2115 motocross riders.  The athletes were divided into two groups: riders that wore a motocross knee brace and non-braced riders.  The non-braced group experienced a statistically significant higher rate of knee injuries when compared to the braced group.  The most common injuries involved the ACL, MCL, and menisci.

No Surprise - Diabetes Leads To Original Prosthetic Toe

The Roman Capua leg was long thought to be the first prosthesis ever, dating back to around 300 BC.  However the romans can no longer take credit for the creation of our industry - that accolade now belongs to the egyptians.

A female mummy, Tabaketenmut, who lived in Egypt around 900 B.C., is believed to have lost her big toe from diabetes.  The prosthetic toe, called the "Cairo Toe", was created with some skill.  There is a simple hinge with a beveled front edge.  The underside of the toe is flattened which probably increased stability.  The toe was attached to the residual limb with laces, or possibly attached directly to a sandal.

It was made from cartonnage, which is like paper mache, made by soaking linen in animal glue.

Genesis II Prosthetic Foot Enhances Function

 

An abstract published on the American Academy of Orthotists & Prosthetists' website concluded that the Genesis II appears to enhance function through energy absorption and generation during walking and running.  The subjects in this abstract preferred the Genesis prosthetic foot because it offered increased plantar / dorsiflexion during walking.  Increased propulsion and maneuverability were also reported.  

View the entire Prosthetic Foot Abstract

MICA is offering an introduction price (25% Discount) for the Genesis Plus during the month of October.   

Baby Giraffe Gets A Chance

 

A baby giraffe was born last month at the Topeka Zoo with a congenital defect in her hooves.  She could not walk as a result of the abnormality.

The baby giraffe was named "Hope" and she was casted for prosthetic shoes within hours of her birth.  The medical team treating her needs to be admired for their compassion and creativity.  The prosthetic shoes were built with an "external tendon system" to keep her hooves in proper alignment, compensating for the birth defect.  

"Hope" has been responding well to treatment.  She is growing fast and the medical team at the zoo is pleased with her progress.  But the true test will come as she gets older and bigger.  Will the prosthetics be able to hold the weight of a full grown giraffe?

Topeka Zoo - Donations for Hope The Giraffe

 

Diabetes-Related Amputations Can Be Reduced

 

Mount Sinai School of Medicine (MSSM) brought together researchers from their orthopedic, vascular, and nuclear medicine divisions.  This team uncovered a means to diagnose several diabetic foot pathologies by utilizing multiple-imaging agents with a hybrid-imaging technique.   

Single photon emission tomography and computed tomography scans (SPEC/CT) were able to determine treatment protocols in 84% of the cases that presented during the three year study.  The scan results saved people's limbs.

Dr. Sherif Heiba, associate professor of radiology at MSSM co-authored the study.  Dr. Heiba said, "This new imaging technique is proving to be critical for managing diabetes associated foot infection by providing comprehensive views of both anatomy and specific disease process in the foot."   

The MSSM team's study is titled, "The Continuing Management of Diabetic Foot Infection: Impact of Follow-up with Dual Tracer (DT) SPEC/CT)."  It was presented at the 57th annual meeting of the Society of Nuclear Medicine.

Heritage Medical applauds your efforts MSSM.  Keep up the great work!

New England Journal of Medicine Reports ACL Surgery Not the Best Option

 

The New England Journal of Medicine recently published an article about the optimal management for a torn anterior cruciate ligament.  So what is the best way to treat a torn ACL?  The New England Journal of Medicine reports....they don't know.

121 young adults suffering from acute ACL injuries were divided into two groups in a randomized controlled trial.  One group of patients was treated with structured rehabilitation and early ACL reconstruction surgery.  The other group was provided structured rehabilitation with the option of later ACL reconstruction.  

The results?  There were no significant differences between the two groups of patients.  And adverse events were common regardless of surgical intervention!  The published report concludes that, "in young, active adults with acute ACL tears a strategy of rehabilitation plus early ACL reconstruction was not superior to a strategy of rehabilitation plus optional delayed ACL reconstruction.

Physical therapists working with the group of patients that did not receive surgery often advised those patients to wear an acl brace when playing sports. 

Forbell, et al: A Randomized Trial of Treatment for Acute Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tears.  New England Journal of Medicine 2010; 363:331-342 / July 22, 2010

 

 

 

Mind Controlled Prostheses

 

The Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA) is just about ready to launch their mind-controlled prosthetic arm.  They have been working with a team from Johns Hopkins on the technology.  It is called a Modular Prosthetic Limb (MPL) and it will soon be tested on a human for the first time.  

The MPL uses brain implants which interprets thoughts, translates them, and then tells the MPL what to do.  The prosthetic arm weights nine pounds (as much as an actual human arm) and offers 22 degrees of motion.  Each finger can move and bend.  Researchers hope the arm will be able to allow the user to feel pressure and touch.

Wow!

Insurance companies regularly try to avoid paying for basic prosthetic components - just wait until they start receiving claims for the MPL.