An electrodynographic study of foot function in shoes of varying heel heights.

Forty-three female test subjects had electrodynographic gait analysis performed in barefoot, low-heel shoe, and high-heel shoe conditions. Comparisons of segmental foot function, actual pressures, and pressure durations were determined. The findings suggest that an increased duration of forefoot loading, rather than an increased actual pressure, is responsible for pedal pathology secondary to wearing high-heel shoes. Contrary to previous reports in the literature, evidence of abnormal pronation in high heels was not found in this study.

The biomechanics of forward power skating.

The authors review and discuss the biomechanics of forward power skating with respect to starting, acceleration, and striding. Comparisons are made to the biomechanics of walking. The dynamics of foot function within the skate boot are also discussed.

Duplication methods for replacement of broken orthoses.

The methods presented for replacement of broken orthoses have proved very effective (Fig. 9). In more than 5 years of employing such duplication techniques, we have found patient satisfaction in the product to be commensurate with that for their originally prescribed devices. The techniques presented are not the only methods by which orthoses can be duplicated. We recognize that the clinician should refabricate the same orthosis only when the cause of breakage has been determined to be material fatigue or stress. Should the patient's weight, foot structure, or activities have changed, new orthoses should be fabricated with those factors in mind.

The efficacy of laser surgery for verruca plantaris: report of a study.

Many therapeutic modalities are available to eradicate plantar verrucae. Lately, lasers have gained a great deal of notoriety in the treatment of verrucae. In this study, we chose to evaluate the success of using one laser treatment for full eradication of verrucae. The results indicated that the greatest success rate occurred with solitary lesions. Other studies of methods of verrucae treatment yielded similar results to those of the laser, with cryotherapy achieving the highest success rate. However, the higher rate was based on an average of two treatments, whereas this study obtained similar results with just one. The laser also has the advantages of minimal postoperative pain, minimal healing time, and less damage to perilesional tissue. These advantages make the laser a viable option in the treatment of verrucae plantaris.

Biomechanical review: Coe-alginate impression techniques.

The authors have found Coe-alginate to have many uses in podiatric surgery. They describe the technique and believe that its reproduction quality is superior to that obtained by using other materials.