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How to find the ideal heel height of a shoe

Discussion in 'Biomechanics, Sports and Foot orthoses' started by Griff, Jan 18, 2010.

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  1. With respect robyn, the issue of "ideal" gait is not semantic. It is at the core of how we view biomechanics.

    It seems to me that biomechanics is fundamentally divided. Some seek to move the foot toward ideal function. Others away from pathological function. Often this is actually the same direction, but not always.

    The former group seems in the majority, and sells well because on that basis EVERYONE can legitimatly be sold an insole.

    But more to the point, that dichotomy affects how we think about what we do.

    So forgive us our passions. Because to me at least, it matters. I've spent too long trying to understand how the foot works to sit quiescient while the new "ideal" is peddled, be that an enhancement of root, mass, fft, sna, or any other acronym.
     
  2. Robyn Elwell-Sutton

    Robyn Elwell-Sutton Active Member

    Absolutely agree. :pigs:
     
  3. What about fffnart, I have no idea what it means yet, but I like the sound of it and will try to invent an idea that fits with it so that we can use it as an acronym.

    BTW, if it's any help, I'm guessing that you, Robert, along with myself and others, will spend the rest of our lives trying to understand how the foot works- none of us ever will. Grace is learning to read via phonetics. Tomorrow, I'll try to teach Grace a new word- quiescient.
     
  4. drsha

    drsha Banned

    It said there were 453 postings since my last visit (every third thread)

    I have never made a penny from any of you and do not expect to.

    You asked me to participate on threads other than fft so I have.

    I stopped generating threads as requested.

    As I have said before, I have learned alot from The Arena and find it very valuable.

    Stop sending me monthly updates and you will see less of me (I never asked for them) as that's how I read about most of the posts I get involved in.

    Dr Sha
     
  5. Formative framework for not accepting rubbish theories
     
  6. You sir, are a genius.
     
  7. So I'm in the Lab, making insoles when I get a call on my (private) mobile from the woman herself! In person!

    Which, BTW, surprised me so much I now have a nasty burn on my arm. One should never lose concentration in a dangerous environment.

    Had quite a nice chat about things and stuff. Emma has tried to register for the forum, but struggled. She does now have a login, however this is what she emailed me to put up on her behalf

    I will mention in passing how impressed I was that she took the time and trouble to get in touch.
     
  8. It will be good to see what Emma says and it appears there was some problems with the written peice.. I would also like to state that for some folks with a FF Equinius a heel can be a good thing. But possibly something that was missed was the the perfect heel height can included no heel at all which I think the public would not consider when reading this article and will read it as having the heel elevated is good for all which I beleive it is not.

    Emma as for come into these waters its not that bad and please do !!
     
  9. Agreed.

    The word "Ideal" was not hers. She uses "perfect".

    I have something of an issue with both terms. Not that I don't think that for some conditions, and for some feet, a higher or lower heel may be better. But I see heel height as a prescription variable and like all prescription variables, I consider it more in context of the pathology than the ideal / perfect functioning of the foot.

    For example, consider a foot with some kind of plantar forefoot pain (almost does not matter what). The perfect heel height might be higher... if we are trying to line everything up. However the RIGHT heel height (the one which will reduce symptoms) might be lower.

    Of course one can split the atom down to cases; what if this, what if that, to dispute almost any kind of theory or model. However that, for me, is the point. It is, as always, an individual thing. The concept of a "perfect" heel height and by inference a perfect position or perfect function is one I find unsettling. And I am self aware enough to know that the disquiet came before the argument to justify it. I wonder why.

    However. Beside that it is based on axial inclination I don't fully understand the assessment process for this. Perhaps if I knew in more detail....

    Regards
    Robert
     
  10. Griff

    Griff Moderator

    Is this referring to the 'pitch' of the STJ axis in the sagittal plane?

    Ian
     
  11. My reading of method Robert = look at differential height between forefoot and rearfoot in sitting this = "perfect heel height of shoe". K.;)
     
  12. :confused:

    I don't geddit. Differential in height between FF and RF in sitting with the ankle at what angle?
     
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