Thanks to all who responded to my question on gait plates. I have also
included responses to an earlier question re: torque heels, which was what I
was thinking of anyway. My apologies for the lenght of the post.
Dear Toheck
Gait plates are in essence very simple traditionally they are made with
materials such as aluminium sheet inserted in the shoe. In principle what
happens is that the plate extends like a sock lining until the break of the
shoe under the met heads. This is where the difference is, if you want to
promote out-toeing you extend the end of the plate distally on the lateral
side(ie in front of met heads) and cut it short on the medial side.
Conversely if you want to promote in-toeing you extend the plate distally on
the medial side and cut it short on the lateral side. Gait plates are
generally used in paediatric orthotics. Now your probably thinking that I
haven’t used aluminium in this manner for a while and wouldn’t this give the
shoes a bit of a hiding? Answer Correct. This is why I would recommend
that you adapt yourself to making the plate with podiatry techniques. Have
you heard of the Neutral talus Orthosis in a book by a chap called Jim
Phelps? (Common garden podiatry ‘orthotics’ to everyone else). Well in short
you need to take slipper cast with the foot in Subtalar joint neutral
position and do a bladder mold on the resulting cast with 1/8″
Polypropylene. This can then have it’s leading edge modified as you
previously would have the aluminium.
Of course you can take a UCBL cast, but as you only need to use the plantar
surface and there are problems with UCBL’s in maintaining good plantar
surface reproducibilty, you may prefer to read up on or talk to your
friendly podiatrist. (I am a Orthotist gone back to podiatry school) I also
believe that some of the orthotic texts such as the one that ‘Rose’ wrote
cover this topic. Don’t be too concerned about this the principle is quite
simple. The reason that you have not dealt with this problem, is perhaps due
to the fact that there is opinion as to wether this is a problem worth
treating, as a large portion of these problems self resolve. Please reply if
you require further information. As you are an Orthotist you are by,
definition resourceful.
Regards Leo Brown
—–Original Message—–
From: [email protected]
Date: Thursday, 29 October 1998 14:42
Subject: gait plates
>Hello to all. Sometime in the last few months I recall a post concerning
the
>use of gait plates to treat in-toeing or out-toeing or some other such
toeing.
>I thought it was amazing that in twenty+ years in the field and many
>rotational deformities/abnormalities seen and treated, I had never had a
>request for gait plates. I read the responses, including how to obtain gait
>plates, and then calmly trashed them. I’m sure you know where this is
going –
>today comes my first Rx ever for gait plates. Any help would be
appreciated.
>
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Subject: Re: gait plates
Date: Fri, 30 Oct 1998 14:43:14 +1300
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Baumsteve
Would you be so kind as to combine your gait plate responces and share them
with the O&P list subscribers? I am interested in the responses as well.
Steve Baum, CO, Menlo Park, CA
I think most would consider a gait plate to be a cross between a UCB and
standard arch supports. I do know that Bio Orthopaedic Lab in Costa Mesa,
CA can make them for you from positive casts, negative casts or foam art
impressions.
Their phone number is: 1-800-234-1237
Lab costs are about $45.00 US depending on the options you would like
included.
Good luck,
Dan Selleck
Rabcped
We order premade pediatric sizes from Pedifix. phone 800-424-5561. Address 4
Columbus Ave., Mt Kisco, NY
Raymond Blasingame
—–Original Message—–
From: Ben McMurtrie
To: O&P Listserver
Date: Friday, July 24, 1998 3:30
Subject: Torque heel response
Thankyou for all the replies regarding Torque Heels, Please find the responses
listed.
General concensus say’s, “Give them a try” , as well as having a fast wear
factor.
Answers to some questions asked are-
Pat P – Oxford scale strenght would be a 4/5 for active internal rotation
Harold A -Spasticity is low, good active movement but limited at approx 10 deg
ext rot’n, lack of ext Rot’n comes from an antiverted femoral neck, not tibial
torsion.
