The plantar fascia is a band of connective tissue running from the heel to the ball of the foot. Inflammation of the plantar fascia occurs when this tissue is overstretched. This causes tiny tears to develop, particularly near the insertion site at the heel (at the medial calcaneal tuberosity). When at rest, our body works… Continue reading When Heel Pain is Not Plantar Fasciitis
The ideal situation is one where a patient is experiencing pain, the practitioner prescribes an orthotic, this orthotic relieves their pain and everyone lives happily ever after. However, tweaks and adjustments need to be made quite often. This is the nature of creating a custom- made, handcrafted device that needs to be comfortable and biomechanically… Continue reading Orthotic Adjustments
What is it? Talipes equinus deformity is a condition in which the foot is held in a plantarflexed position. The patient will lack the ability to dorsiflex their foot up toward the leg. Commonly, this is due to tightness in the Achilles tendon, the soleus muscles, or gastrocnemium muscle. Other causes can be a… Continue reading Equinus Deformity
Patient: Female, 55 years old, 140 lbs Chief complaint In our second case of the season, our patient complains of pain in the third and fourth metatarsal heads. She experiences pain in her right foot only. Examination Findings Moderate hallux abducto valgus deformity Diffuse hyperkeratosis sub second metatarsal B/L Deviated and… Continue reading Case of the Season #2
If you are interested in prescribing more orthotics, this article will help you achieve your goal. The Right Mindset A good mindset to have is the idea of acquired deformity. If it is present, then to stop its progression the patient will need prescription orthotics. In other words, if a biomechanical imbalance… Continue reading Increasing Your Orthotic Productivity
Biomechanical Treatment for Moderate-to-Severe Hallux Abducto Valgus Recently we posted an article about various forefoot deformities. Here we focus on moderate to severe hallux abducto valgus, and look at treatment options. As stated in the previous blog, once the deformity has progressed to the stage where bowstringing of the flexor hallucis longus and extensor… Continue reading Treatment for Hallux Abducto Valgus
Plaster casting vs. 3D non-weight bearing laser scanning For those that have studied lower limb biomechanics, there is agreement of the superiority of a non-weight bearing subtalar neutral plaster cast. In terms of having prescription orthotic devices fabricated, this technique has been the gold standard for many years. Computerized pressure pads capture the… Continue reading Laser Scanners and Insurance Coverage
The purpose of this article is to present a practical, biomechanical approach to managing various common forefoot deformities. Hammertoe Deformities When a patient’s chronic heloma dura becomes markedly symptomatic, periodic palliation may become less appealing to them and another solution may be more appropriate. When the lesion is associated with a contracted… Continue reading Biomechanical Management of Forefoot Deformities
“Experience is the one thing you can’t get for nothing.” Oscar Wilde Paragon has been a leader in orthotic manufacturing for over 45 years. A vital component of our success has been the experience and know-how of our technicians. Without the skill and expertise of our employees, regardless of how superior our materials… Continue reading Experience is the Difference
Hallux Limitus is a condition causing inflammation and soreness of the big toe, accompanied by restriction of movement. If untreated, it can lead to a more severe position of complete rigidity. Fortunately, treatment options are simple and straightforward once we understand the underlying biomechanical processes taking place. Biomechanical Principles In this condition,… Continue reading Hallux Limitus
Patient: Male, 35 years old, 5’9″, 190 lbs History and chief complaint Patient’s feet have always bothered him, and he has “flat feet”. He has been treated by various practitioners and has been prescribed orthotics, but none of them were tolerable. Over the past 10 years he has developed persistent pain behind his… Continue reading Case of the Season #1
The concept of patient centered care may sound pretty basic, but there is a lot behind it. With this philosophy, you will generate more referrals and patients will leave the office with confidence in their choice. Let’s face it; in any medical school classroom, podiatry or chiropody class, or any academic venue, some students… Continue reading Patient Centered Care
When considering older patients in any context it’s best to not fall into the trap of chronological age. There are many 70 year old individuals who are in better condition than their 40 year old counterparts. Physiological age should be the prime consideration. This is equally true for the geriatric biomechanical patient as for the… Continue reading Biomechanics and the Geriatric Patient
So often we are asked to evaluate patients who have failed orthotics from another provider. This article is designed to assist you in evaluating the quality of orthotics and what you can do to facilitate better treatment results. The field can be confusing for the patient, as it is unregulated and anybody can claim… Continue reading Assessing Orthotic Quality
Shin splints are a painful injury, common among athletes, soldiers and dancers. They are one of a number of injuries caused by repetitive overuse of leg muscles. Many of those who have sustained injury are unaware of the causes and proper treatment. There are two ways to look at shin splints: clinically and practically.… Continue reading Shin Splints
Pediatric Biomechanics Kids are not simply little adults, especially when it comes to their physiology. To understand pediatric biomechanics as it relates to lower limb pain, there are specialized and unique principles at play. In this article we’ll explore a few common pathologies, and get those kids playing pain free! A… Continue reading Pediatric Biomechanics
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