At the American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association (AOPA) National Assembly, held last week in Las Vegas, Nevada, Cyde Peach, CO and President of Indiana Brace shared his experience with using ShearBan, an innovative PTFE film with adhesive backing from Tamarack Habilitation Technologies, Inc. (Minneapolis, Minnesota USA).
Clyde developed the X-1 Blades (shown below), an all composite foot orthosis to treat specific foot injuries, including turf toe and hallux rigidus.
According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, turf toe is a sprain of the main joint of the big toe. It happens when the toe is forcibly bent up into hyperextension, such as when pushing off into a sprint and having the toe get stuck flat on the ground.
Sprains of the big toe joint became especially prevalent in American football players after artificial turf became more common on playing fields – hence the term “turf toe”. Artificial turf is a harder surface than grass and does not have much “give” when forces are placed on it.
Although often associated with football, turf toe occurs in a wide range of sports and activities.
The American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society defines hallux rigidus as arthritis of the big toe joint. It is the most common arthritic condition of the foot and second only to hallux valgus (bunion) as a condition associated with the big toe. Females are more commonly affected than males in all age groups, and the condition typically develops in adults between the ages of 30 and 60 years.
Clye’s X-1 Blades were developed using ShearBan in areas at-risk for skin breakdown, including the MTP Joint (base of the “Big Toe”) and heel. The ultra-slick, blue film provides targeted protection from rubbing that leads to excessive shearing that all-too-often results in skin breakdown (blistering and callus); sidelining athletes from their activities and careers.
ShearBan is available in 8 inch x 12 inch sheets and precut oval patches and is sold worldwide by Becker Orthopedic (Ph: 800-521-2192 / 248-588-7480 / web: www.beckerorthopedic.com).