Dear Eric Lee,

Yes, we have received and enjoyed both of your recent communications.  I am
sorry to have missed you on your visit last August to the college.  Ken filled
me in as to your ambitious project which I shall be most interested to read
upon its completion.  I know of no better way to learn biomechanics than to
review the history, as you are doing.

All I can say about the development of "Root Biomechanics" is that Merton L.
Root was a very dynamic teacher with great drive, clarity, and vision who
influenced a group of his students to go forth and spread the doctrine.  I
think a relative biomechanics vacuum existed in the early to middle sixties
but, even if there were a strong opposing concept, I think M. Root et al would
have easily obliterated it.  I recall his entrance on the scene as a most
exciting time and, though I have also enjoyed taking occasional potshots at
his ( and V.T. Inman's ) basic concepts, Mert did provide a tangible
foundation to study and critique which platform did not exist before his time.

Now, to respond to your question on orthosis efficacy, I must emphasize to you
that my concern and thrust has always been and remains to be an understanding
of the NORMAL FOOT.  In this light, or darkness, the question as to the nature
of foot stability with provision for mobility, is fundamental. As you well
know, S. Zitzlsperger( of Indeterminate Space Frame fame ) had his own
engineering answer to the problem and that author highlighted the inherent
stability of the second metatarsal segment which Ken and I like to
characterize as the "backbone of the foot".  Our conviction is that the human
foot has an inherent centrolongitudinal sector of stability with collateral
sectors of controllled mobility plus the key area of midtarsal  joint control.
The dynamic first ray, with its twisting and untwisting segmental supporting
cast( ala J.H. Hicks of your own Birmingham ), we feel, is the first line of
foot control with its profusion of proprioceptors and muscle insertion.  When
larger components of postural response are needed, the dynamic midtarsal joint
complex is recruited.  Obviously, you should get the impression that we give
the subtalar joint only a secondary, subservient role in the matter of foot
function.  For more than two decades of teaching, I have told my students that
" THE FOREFOOT CONTROLS THE REARFOOT" much to their amusement and, herein,we
want to repeat our heresy.

Thank You, Eric,

Alan & Ken


%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%