Bracing and Sports Injuries (Fall 2020)

Over the last 6 months we have seen people flock to outdoor recreation amid COVID restrictions. Canadians have taken up new activities in significant numbers and organized sports have now finally restarted. Whether it is soccer, mountain biking, running, or hiking, these activities all present the risk of injury and potential need for bracing. While most braces restrict the range of motion of an injured joint and promote recovery, there are many different types of braces, each with its own benefit. Whether it is knee OA, a knee ligament injury or Achilles tendinopathy, Kintec specializes in bracing solutions to help with the treatment and recovery of many common injuries. This webinar will dive deeper into the general strategy of bracing, while outlining how new technology has enhanced bracing effectiveness.

Footwear Technology (Summer 2020)

Footwear has long been considered an important component to preventing injuries in runners. For nearly every risk factor for injury there has been a corresponding footwear design to mitigate that risk. Over-pronation, impact loads, and heel strike pattern have each been addressed through the introduction of stabilizing elements (dual-density mid-sole, thermo-plastic shank), shock-absorbing materials, and minimalist designs respectively. Continued innovation in both shoe design and material selection, as well as greater understanding in running-injury epidemiology, motivate the need for continued study on how effective contemporary running footwear can protect its user from injury or pain. 

Part 1 of this webinar will highlight the study that took place in Vancouver, BC in 2019 that provided the evidence supporting Nike’s global claim of 52% injury reduction with the React Infinity Run shoe.

Part 2 of this webinar dives deeper in selected functional elements of footwear and how these components that are ostensibly used to improve comfort or performance can also provide a significant therapeutic benefit.

Exhausting Conservative Care Options (Spring 2020)

Chronic mid-foot osteoarthritis, tibialis-posterior dysfunction, adult-acquired flatfoot, acute traumatic orthopaedic injury. Collectively these conditions, and others, contribute to a growing group of patients experiencing chronic foot & ankle pain who languish in our system offering limited options outside of medication and surgery.

The fundamental need for many of these patients is mobility assistance due to mechanical insufficiency secondary to their injury or condition. Advanced pedorthic interventions such as footwear modifications, ankle-foot orthoses, and bespoke orthopaedic footwear are seldom considered, yet are vital non-surgical management options that help regain mobility and manage pain.

This webinar will highlight the nature of selected underlying conditions contributing to chronic foot and ankle pain before going into greater detail on the indications for a selection of advanced pedorthic options available at Kintec.