Clinical acceptance, reasons for rejection, and reduction of in-shoe peak pressure with interdigital silicone orthoses.

Background: For several years, confectioned or customized interdigital silicone orthoses have been used to treat toe malformations; however, long-term clinical and biomechanical studies are missing. The aim of this study was to evaluate the biomechanical effects of these orthoses and their clinical acceptance.

Methods: In 2008, 46 patients (30 women and 16 men; average age, 56.

Infections with Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Charcot arthropathy of the foot.

Background: Patients with Charcot arthropathy present a high risk for ulcers with secondary bone infection. Infections with Pseudomonas aeruginosa represent a severe threat to the patients. We hypothesized that infections with P aeruginosa result in a longer stay in hospital and more operations than infections with other bacteria.

Locating the axis of rotation when fitting an elbow orthosis: a comparison of measurement and palpation.

No other previously published studies consider the relative motion of orthotic components positioned on the upper arm and the forearm. This study therefore measured the location and direction of the axis of rotation of an orthotic component fixed to the forearm in relation to an orthotic component fixed to the upper arm, and compared the results with those obtained by palpation. A plane flexion or extension motion of the forearm component in relation to the component on the upper arm can be described as a pure rotation about a fixed centre.