Simon and Colleagues:
Simon wrote in reply to Kevin:
<<Your 17+ years clinical experience are invaluable to our understanding. I
believe that the publications you recommend (above) provide an excellent
insight into the possible workings of orthoses (they all make it onto the
reading list for my students, with the exception of the Intricast
news-letters (still haven't got hold of a copy for our library) ). But many
of them lack the inclusion of data from patient populations in support of
your contentions. That is to say, the theories and ideas you expound within
them appear to make sense, but before we can accept them fully, we must test
these theories to see if they are right.>>
I fully realize the limitations of my previous publications. I agree that
it would be most beneficial to the podiatry profession as a whole if my
theories, and the theories of others, are fully tested before they are taken
"as gospel". Until then, I will try to promote theories and treatment
methods based on sound biomechanical principles, available research and the
clinical observations of myself and others.
<<As you pointed out in your posting
yesterday, what is required now is strong scientific endeavour to establish
if yours and others' clinical observations are up-held by the findings of
rigorous research. Such clinical observations should act as a spring-board
to define hypotheses. In order to confirm clinical observations we
desperately require controlled trials employing adequate samples; this
requires funding. Along with others, I have been invited to attend a meeting
at The Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrist this coming Friday to discuss
possible directions for a research strategy for the profession here in the
UK. I shall be pushing strongly for research to be carried out into
orthotics and their effects.>>
The bottom line is that we know that foot orthoses do work and work quite
well, but we generally lack a firm basis of good scientific research
regarding foot orthoses. However, much has been done in the past ten years
to try and remedy that solution with contributions from many branches of the
healing arts.
Please let me know if you, or the members of the Society of Chiropodists and
Podiatrists, need any further help for future research directions.
Cheers,
Kevin
********************************************
Kevin A. Kirby, DPM
Assistant Clinical Professor of Biomechanics
California College of Podiatric Medicine
Private Practice:
2626 N Street
Sacramento, CA 95816 USA
Voice: (916) 456-4768 Fax: (916) 451-6014
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
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