Stupid Questions-Had to Ask...

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As a long-time runner and pronator from hell, I wonder how you guys fit orthotics so they don't cause back/knee problems?

Do you need to be a physics/biomechanics genius to figure it out? Don't worry, I'm not planning on making my own--my podiatrist does it just fine!

Is it true that a significant amount of time in pod school is spent doing biomechanical analysis?

Please enlighten me.

 

[JohnfootDr]

I wonder how you guys fit orthotics so they don't cause back/knee problems?

In simple--you don't. You correct (or at least modify) the problems at the foot, and that reduces the stresses going up the leg.

A good orthotic brings the ground up to the deformity (basically trying to keep your pronating foot relatively neutral), rather than letting your foot come down to the ground.

If you control that motion at the foot/sub-talar joint, you reduce the stress on the ankle, knee, hip and back.

John

 

[Dr_Feelgood]

Yes, pods spend tons of time studying biomechanics and dysfunctions. The modifications made to the orthotic depend on the plane of motion. There is a great article on planal dominance and flat feet that I can send you if you are interested. What the pod will do is they will "post" the orthotic to address the dysfunction. You say you are a pronator; a few things that they might an orthotic might do: heel cup, medial post, prevention of forefoot abduction. I don't want to get into a lot of detail but the biomechanics of th foot is complex and as you state effect the rest of the body.

 

[krabmas]

As a long-time runner and pronator from hell, I wonder how you guys fit orthotics so they don't cause back/knee problems?

Do you need to be a physics/biomechanics genius to figure it out? Don't worry, I'm not planning on making my own--my podiatrist does it just fine!

Is it true that a significant amount of time in pod school is spent doing biomechanical analysis?

Please enlighten me.

If the biomechanical and gait exams are not done correctly the orthotics may affect the knee. Lets say that you have an equinus (not enough dorsiflexion of the ankle) and to compensate for that you pronate thru the midfoot. If the orthotics prescribed are too rigid and do not allow any pronation in the midfoot it will make you hyperextend your knee to get thru the midstance part of gait and into propulsion.