Biomechanics at Brightwell Clinic
To receive treatment based on podiatric biomechanics at Brightwell Clinic, you may have been referred by a consultant, a GP or other professional, you may have self referred or you may have been referred by Brightwell's physiotherapist.
The reason for you seeking treatment may be based on over-use injuries from running or other sports activity or a recognised injury or trauma or surgical intervention.
The aim of the Podiatrist is to establish if there is an underlying dysfunction in the movement of the foot and or lower limbs which might be producing the symptoms.
At Brightwell the podiatrist assesses the foot both in stance position and in motion to reach a diagnosis; a treadmill may also be used as part of the assessment. Recently Brightwell Clinic has acquired FScan (by Tekscan) which is a computer diagnostic software tool used in conjunction with in-shoe transducers to measure pressure and forces during the process of several footsteps. To learn more about F Scan press on this link.
If it is clear that the patient can benefit from Orthotic therapy, the usual practice of Brightwell Clinic is to issue a temporary orthotic to establish that it provides the necessary foot re alignment and in time some resolution of symptoms before a customised carbon fibre or poly propylene orthotic device is prescribed.
Having obtained the desired results with a temporary orthotic device the next stage is to carry out a detailed Biomechanical Evaluation (BME) to evolve a specific prescription. The evaluation involves full assessment of gait in stance, walking and faster motion and use of F Scan before taking a suspension plaster cast of both feet. The prescription and casts are then sent to RX Laboratories for custom made CE marked orthotic devices to be produced in the appropriate material, often TL2000 (a form of carbon fibre) or poly propylene. For more information about RX Laboratories please click on this link.