Archive
Selected articles from the Foot Science Journal archives
July 2010
The lower extremity in focus (Part Five)
This is the fifth article in the series "The lower extremity in focus", examining if orthotics should be forever?
Comparative trial in patients with chronic plantar fasciitis
Dr Charlie Baycroft comments on a recent study by Jason KK Chia comparing the efficacy of flat insoles, bone spur pads, Formthotics and customised orthotics in reducing plantar contact pressure of subjects with plantar fasciists
Why heel first is best for walking
Source: The Journal of Experimental Biology
Overpronation on trial
By Robert Issacs specalist in Biomechanical Therapies. Source: www.podiarty-arena.com
Bare foot running
Dr Charlie Baycroft discussed this not so new discovery...
Case Study: Formthotics Shock Stop used to heel ulcers on the feet of patients with leprosy and cerebral palsy
Keith Aitken, NZ Podiatrist, tell his story about his trip to Niger
October 2009
The lower extremity in focus (Part Four)
This is the fourth article in the series "The lower extremity in focus", examining the Subtalar Joint Axis Location and Rotational Equilibrium theory of foot function.
Diabetes shop launched with incentive for podiatry referrals
Our new referral programme is for health professionals who are interested in the diabetes product offering, but who don't necessarily want to make the up-front investment or deal with the management of product stock on-site in their clinic. Earn 10-20% discounts for your patients when they buy socks and foot creme online.
Foot orthoses: how much customisation is necessary?
Dr Charlie Baycroft comments a recent Hylton B Menz paper from the Journal of Foot & Ankle Research which has sparked much debate in podiatry circles.
Case Study: Pain-free footy
Rebecca Morarty from Olympic Park Sports Medicine Centre in Melbourne, Australia describes how she enabled her 24 year old patient to play state-level football pain-free.
The future of biomechanics
by Dr Dennis Shavelson, first published in The Journal of Current Podiatric Medicine June-July, 1989. "The future of podiatry lies in the practice of Biomechanics. Biomechanical evaluation, gait analysis and the casting and fabricating of orthoses can be the cornerstone of success for the podiatrist."
Baring your sole
Pain-free: Sports biomechanist Greg Pain says the logic behind barefoot running makes 'perfect sense'. Reprinted from the NZ Sunday Star Times 19/07/2009
May 2009
The lower extremity in focus (Part Three)
This article is Part Three of a series examining the function of the lower extremity. Today's article covers supination.
Foot orthoses for people with high arches
There is a tendency for people to think that foot orthoses are "anti-pronation devices" for patients with "flat feet".
Mechanical and neuromotor effects of foot orthoses
Podiatry Arena is an interesting and informative forum for foot industry professionals. www.podiatry-arena.com
1.5 million-year-old fossil humans walked on modern feet
Ancient footprints found at Rutgers' Koobi Fora Field School show that some of the earliest humans walked like us and did so on anatomically modern feet 1.5 million years ago.
Shoe company claims unsupported
So you paid hundreds of dollars for the latest technology in cushion-soled footwear in the hopes it would help avoid injury?
December 2008
The lower-extremity in focus (Part Two)
Part Two of a series, featuring pronation and supination. Hyper-pronation is a commonly used term but what is it?
Orthotics work although reasons not completely understood, study finds
Charlie Baycroft reviews a recent paper entitled The Effect of Inverted Orthoses on Lower-Extremity Mechanics in Runners
New applications for foot orthotics and old and new foot mechanics
Foot orthoses have been successful in treating a variety of injuries and pathologies. How the orthoses are effective continues to be researched to assist with the prescription of the devices.
Formthotics made sport enjoyable again
Vanessa Robinson tells us how custom Formthotics orthotics have enhanced her love of tennis and netball by helping her overcome nerve damage pain.
Believe it or not: Formthotics do custom thermo-form
People sometimes do not believe that Formthotics can be custom thermo-formed to the individual wearer’s foot.
March 2008
Lower-extremity function a predictor of subsequent disability, study finds
Charlie Baycroft reviews a recent study entitled Lower-extremity function in persons over the age of 70 years as a predictor of subsequent disability.
The Lower Extremity in Focus
This article is Part One of a series examining the function of the lower extremity. Introduces the concept of the lower extremity as a system and suggests questions to consider when treating pain at any site within this complex system.
Firefighters put best foot forward
Margaret Middleton-Echave, a Senior Firefighter from Waitemata Yellow Watch, describes the different ways in which Formthotics™ orthoses have benefited three members of her crew including herself.
Shanghai-based Kiwi’s Gobi March experience
Shanghai-based New Zealander John McKenna completed the 250km Gobi March in China in June 2007, aided by a pair of Formthotics™ “Shock Stop” orthoses.
Pronated Foot Posture and skeletal malalignment a common problem
Pronated foot posture with associated malalignment of the body is very common in up to 80% of healthy people. Following an injury or periods of increased physical activity, this malalignment can result in pain at various sites in the musculoskeletal system.
Case Study: Danish football players benefit from injury prevention
Physiotherapist Dorthe Bro from Vejle, Denmark, tells us of the results she has achieved with Formthotics™ orthoses for the players of her local women’s football team.
Seaweed and merino combine in unique sock for diabetic patients
A new sock made from a blend of New Zealand merino and a seaweed derivative known as SeaCell® is offering a natural alternative for diabetic patients looking to protect their feet from injury.
November 2007
Words of wisdom from Benno Nigg
Dr. Nigg, probably the world’s most revered biomechanist, was a keynote speaker of the Australian Sports medicine Conference in Adelaide (13 - 16 October 2007). This article summarizes his presentations.
You think your feet are sore?
Chinese foot torture - Foot binding started off in the late Shang Dynasty, and continued on until the late 1900’s. It was banned in 1912, but still continued on as a practice for a number of years.
