The idea of foot orthotic dosing continues to be getting even more recognition in recent years. It is in line with the analogy of drugs dose. Each person who may be taking a unique drug or medicine for any medical condition should really in principle taking an individual dosage or volume of that drug. Exactly the same should be the situation with regard to foot orthotics. A distinct “dose” of foot supports really needs to be applied. All too often foot orthoses are generally used the same dose of foot orthotic, specifically in studies or research. An instalment of the weekly podiatry live show, PodChatLive hammered out this dilemma. The hosts of the show talked with Simon Spooner to try to highlight some of the constraints of foot orthoses research based on the principle. They outlined the way clinicians really should be viewing all findings from research made in the framework of these limitations. They discussed as to what “perfect” foot orthotic research might look like, the points we might choose to ‘measure’ and also the evident discussion between the lab and the clinic. Most significantly they discussed exactly what ‘dosing’ is, and how it may also help us answer concerns which are currently left unanswered.
Dr Simon Spooner qualified as a Podiatrist in 1991 graduating from the University of Brighton, and in addition to his BSc in Podiatry, he was granted the Paul Shenton award for his research into callus. Then he continued to finish his PhD in Podiatry from the University of Leicester in 1997, where he researched the reasons and therapy for inherited foot issues. He is now the Director of Podiatry at Peninsula Podiatry. His practice specialties include sports medicine, foot orthotics, and children as well as adult foot and gait irregularities. In addition to his own clinical work, Simon has published numerous research articles on podiatric care and has delivered presentations at both national and international conventions, and furnished postgraduate training for quite a few National Health Service Trusts.