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WHEN TO FIX KIDS FEET?

When to fix kids’ feet?
 

Worried about your child’s…
June 7, 2021/by Total Care Podiatry

SURFCOAST TREK RECOVERY

There are many things to consider after the trek – these are…
June 1, 2021/by Total Care Podiatry

YOU DON’T HAVE TO DEAL WITH SWEATY, STINKY FEET THIS WINTER!

Have you ever wondered why your feet smell, even during winter…
May 29, 2021/by Total Care Podiatry

GOING SKIING THIS SEASON? Make sure you fit your ski boots correctly to avoid injury!

Vital tips when it comes to Rental Ski Boots and Footwear at…
May 22, 2021/by Total Care Podiatry

FOOTWEAR FEATURES IN RUNNING SHOES FOR COMMON FOOT CONDITIONS AND PATHOLOGIES

Footwear Features in running shoes for common foot conditions…
May 15, 2021/by Total Care Podiatry

WHAT RUNNER IS SUITED TO MY FOOT SIZE AND SHAPE?

What runner is suited to my foot size and shape? 
The choice…
May 8, 2021/by Total Care Podiatry

FISIOCREM ~ What is it?

Fisiocrem is a topical pain relief gel that you can rub into…
May 1, 2021/by Total Care Podiatry

RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS AND ITS EFFECT ON YOUR FEET

Rheumatoid Arthritis and its effect on your Feet
Is an autoimmune…
April 26, 2021/by Total Care Podiatry

ARE YOU READY FOR THE SURF COAST TREK?

Free Foot & Leg Assessment
Total Care Podiatry is offering…
April 21, 2021/by Total Care Podiatry

TOTAL CARE PODIATRY ~ FREE FAMILY FOOT CLINIC 9th July 2021

Free family foot clinic!
Friday 9th July 2021
15 minute FREE…
April 20, 2021/by Total Care Podiatry

SPORTS SHOES

Sports shoes
Every sport is different and will require appropriate…
April 14, 2021/by Total Care Podiatry

COMPLIMENTARY PAEDIATRIC CLINIC – Wednesday the 28th of April 2021

Complimentary Paediatric Clinic 
Every month at Total Care…
April 7, 2021/by Total Care Podiatry

Paul Graham

Paul Graham has been using plantar pressure analysis as part of his clinical practice since first purchasing an Fscan Mat and in-shoe system in 1998. It was a steep learning curve to understand the information behind the pretty colours and what it means. This form of analysis was in its infancy in Australia, and  the only way of gaining an appreciable understanding of what the data represented and how could be used in clinical practice was gained through regular email and phone contact with a number of American podiatrists who had been using the Fscan system for many years.

The most well-known of these practitioners is Dr Howard Dannenberg and through this relationship Paul grew to understand the relationship of sagittal plane movement and the importance of how the foot has a significant effect on the rest of the body. In fact Paul’s foundational knowledge of recording, data management and analysis came through Howard’s leadership and the plantar pressure case studies that were shared. This knowledge base was further augmented when Dr Bruce Williams DPM, a protégé of Howard’s training, visited Australia in 2004 and stayed with Paul in Geelong, working and training him in his clinic. In 2005, Paul was invited to Latrobe University to present on his clinical use of plantar pressure in the prescription of the orthotic correction design.

Up until this stage, Paul was combining evidence-based examination and video gait assessment with plantar pressure analysis and, through this orthotic manufacture. The issue was that each part of the assessment used different equipment. In 2006 Paul moved to the Milletrex system, (forerunner of the Freestep software and Sensormedica hardware) and as this combined all aspects of the diagnostic and manufacturing process, he moved to this system. Again a learning curve was required to become familiar with the different parts of the system, however planter pressure is planter pressure and as such, once you understand the recording and data management side, analysis can be done.

In late 2010, the Freestep software program was presented and the engineers in Italy were keen to make it the best on the market. Through the years there have been regular updates making the program more user-friendly and the data presentation more valuable and easy to understand. In fact at present Paul is working with Scott Sorenson and the Italian software developers to enhance this further so that areas of dysfunction and asymmetry are easily noted and measured,. This will be valuable for both the initial assessment and also to easily chart improvement at review appointments. This continued refinement and development, makes Freestep a very valuable clinical tool.

Plantar pressure analysis can only grow in significance as it shows objective data that the eye cannot see. This is now even more important with the discovery that vertical force,( that we describe as pressure), is what causes the overloading that results in tissue damage, rather than any angular anomaly such as an inverted heel or lowering of the medial longitudinal arch. Using Freestep enables Paul to chart improvement effectively and efficiently each visit by simply having a person walk over the mat or treadmill and comparing it to the previous visit; all within five minutes. This is then a record of the patient’s progress, valuable, not only to the treating clinician, but also to any third party who is paying for the treatment.

Video gait assessment is very, very helpful in understanding the biomechanics of the body in motion and should be used in conjunction with planter pressure analysis; however Paul’s clinical use of plantar pressure analysis has led him to the conclusion that it is superior in consistency, ease and speed.

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