Quality of Non-Surgical and Non-Pharmacological Knee Osteoarthritis Care in the Maritimes.

Objectives: To evaluate the quality and types of care individuals with mild-to-moderate knee osteoarthritis receive in the Canadian Maritime provinces, and determine associations with demographic, social, and patient-reported factors.

Methods: Individuals with knee osteoarthritis were invited to complete a healthcare quality survey based on the British Columbia Osteoarthritis (BC OA) survey. The cross-sectional descriptive observational survey assessed four healthcare quality indicators: advice to exercise, advice to lose weight, assessment of ambulatory function, and assessment of non-ambulatory function.

Linking physical activity with clinical, functional, and structural outcomes: an evidence map using the Osteoarthritis Initiative.

Physical activity is consistently recommended across clinical practice guidelines for managing knee osteoarthritis, yet prescription rates are low. Evidence mapping uses a systematic approach to visually illustrate and summarize published evidence, highlight gaps in the literature, and formulate research questions. The purpose of this study was to review and summarize evidence published from the Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI) linking physical activity with clinical, functional, and structural knee osteoarthritis outcomes.

Preliminary Evaluation of a New Orthotic for Patellofemoral and Multicompartment Knee Osteoarthritis.

Purpose: Traditional knee osteoarthritis (OA) braces are usually indicated for a minority of patients with knee OA, as they are only suitable for those with unicompartmental disease affecting the tibiofemoral joint. A new assistive brace design is intended for use in a wider range of knee OA patients with heterogeneous symptoms characteristic of patellofemoral, tibiofemoral, or multicompartmental knee OA. The purpose of this case series was to explore whether the use of this novel "tricompartment offloader" (TCO) brace was associated with clinically relevant improvements in pain and function.

Feature Detection and Biomechanical Analysis to Objectively Identify High Exposure Movement Strategies When Performing the EPIC Lift Capacity test.

Purpose The Epic Lift Capacity (ELC) test is used to determine a worker's maximum lifting capacity. In the ELC test, maximum lifting capacity is often determined as the maximum weight lifted without exhibiting a visually appraised "high-risk workstyle." However, the criteria for evaluating lifting mechanics have limited justification.

Evaluating patient turn effectiveness using turn-assist technologies.

Pressure ulcers are commonly developed in bedridden patients due to prolonged pressure on bony prominences. Turn-assist support surfaces have been developed to help reposition patients to redistribute interface pressure. The aim of this study was to determine if turn-assist technologies confer benefits to patients relative to manual turning, and to determine if different turn-assist functionalities influence patient outcomes differently.

Design Evaluation of a Novel Multicompartment Unloader Knee Brace.

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a significant problem in the aging population, causing pain, impaired mobility, and decreased quality of life. Conservative treatment methods are necessary to reduce rapidly increasing rates of knee joint surgery. Recommended strategies include weight loss and knee bracing to unload knee joint forces.

Can the Use of Turn-Assist Surfaces Reduce the Physical Burden on Caregivers When Performing Patient Turning?

Objective: To quantify differences in physical workload afforded by turn-assist surfaces relative to manual patient turns, and between nursing caregivers (turn-away vs. turn-toward) while performing partnered patient turning.

Background: Nurse caregivers experience an increased risk of musculoskeletal injuries at the back or shoulders when performing patient-handling activities.

Ice hockey skating sprints: run to glide mechanics of high calibre male and female athletes.

The skating acceleration to maximal speed transition (sprint) is an essential skill that involves substantial lower body strength and effective propulsion technique. Coaches and athletes strive to understand this optimal combination to improve performance and reduce injury risk. Hence, the purpose of this study was to compare body centre of mass and lower body kinematic profiles from static start to maximal speed of high calibre male and female ice hockey players on the ice surface.