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We hope that all recipients of this email newsletter had a safe and joyous Independence Day holiday. Our newsletter this month focuses on an exciting aspect of medicine that few patients have the ability to access, but is available here at our practice.

The Future is Here- South Florida Institute of Sports Medicine offers state of the art Computerized Gait Analysis.

The mechanics of the foot and ankle and their effects on the lower extremity and body as a whole are very intricate. Due to these complexities, it has been a challenge for a doctor to verbally explain mechanical abnormalities or visually demonstrate to a patient exactly what is taking place during the gait cycle.

In order to conquer this challenge, many methods of gait analysis have been developed and utilized. While some of these methods have been successful for doctors to gain an appreciation of more precise measurements, these methods usually required an advanced knowledge of mathematics and were difficult to translate into results easily read and understood by patients. The F-Scan is a highly useful tool and provides a solution to this challenge.

The F-Scan is a noninvasive method whereby a paper-thin pressure sensor is placed into the shoe. A small connector (paddle) attached to an ankle cuff is placed around the ankle, to which the sensor connects. Thin sensor wires are connected to the paddle, and a lightweight waist belt is used to keep the sensor wires out of the travel of the legs. These sensor wires are connected to a computer that has advanced software that will capture and process the gait data. After a few minutes of walking back and forth in the testing area(or on a treadmill) in order to get accustomed to the equipment, the testing is ready to begin. The physician calibrates the testing equipment to the patient's weight. The patient then walks in the testing area, or runs on a treadmill, for approximately 20 seconds.

The computer captures not only the pressure distribution on the bottom of the foot, but the timing of those pressures as well. After thorough analysis of the data, the physician then can consult with the patient to review the test results, perform an objective exam of the patient to confirm any suspicions of any abnormal mechanics as demonstrated by F-Scan test results, and formulate and/or modify treatment regimens for the patient.

Many people can benefit from computerized gait analysis. Here are a few examples:

1. Individuals with biomechanical abnormalities requiring conservative care such as orthotics, gait training, muscular re-education with target strengthening/stretching of various muscle groups.
2. Individuals with biomechanical or structural abnormalities requiring surgical care; pre-and post-operative studies can be performed to assess the results of surgery as well as post-operative recovery. Also, if the amount of weighbearing needs to be regulated after surgery, the study is a valuable tool in reaching that goal.
3. Mechanical abnormalities resulting from traumatic injuries, chronic injuries, chronic instability, or weakness.
4. Athletes of all age range and competition levels who desires to have the highest lower extremity performance.
5. Individuals with systemic diseases(diabetes mellitus) or neurological disorders(cerebral palsy) that may result in biomechanical abnormalities
6. Patients who have not responded to their current treatment protocols for lower extremity ailments
7. People suffering from shin splints, stress fractures, foot pain, knee pain, hip pain, lower back pain, and muscular pain associated with poor mechanics of the feet.

South Florida Institute of Sports Medicine is proud to offer this state-of-the-art technology to our patients, as well as the experience of utilizing this evaluation tool. Dr. Patrick Felton has experience with this technology dating back to his podiatric medical school education, residency training, and continuing into private practice, both in Pennsylvania and here in Florida.

We wish all of our newsletter recipients a safe summer. We love to hear feedback from you about the content of our newsletters, as well as any areas of medicine you would like to see more coverage on. Until our next newsletter, be well.

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