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Hi all,

Case: Female, 40, fusion of the right ankle and tarsal bones, dropped navicular - foot flat. Angle between leg and foot approx. 90º

I'd like to know your thoughts and experiences about the shoe you'd prescribe...

I'm having tremendous difficulties to get it done, but my objective is something near this sole shape: http://www.shoeandfoot.com/images/the-rocker-bar.jpg


Thanks in advance.

Best regards

 

Have a look at MBT shoes, already done like this, and a good choice for an otherwise healthy ankle fusion
regards Phill

 

I agree. Have used MBT's for a number of clients with ankle fusions and also hallux rigidus. They work well.

Regards

 

MBT was my first choice, but the patient's foot became too large for almost any commercial shoe.

Since you agree with it, I'll continue my pursuit of getting a personalized "MBT-like" shoe for the patient.

Thanks,

 

The function or the "MBT like" that you are looking for can be done to most footwear, its called a rocker sole.

If you dont have a Pedorthist to do the modification for you, then take a picture of an MBT to your local shoe repair guy and work with him to achieve the right result.

This involves grinding off the existing sole and starting a fresh building up the replacement "Rocker" sole using EVA type materials.

P.S. Just saw your attachment:D, take a print out and a pair of shoes with you.

 

The main problem I have is with the shoe itself - it has to be customized - rearfoot is now much larger than originally... And yes, it's hard to find good services related to shoe customization - my quest for it will continue...

Best regards

 

What is the $ exchange rate like :D

 

Live rates at 2009.07.16 09:01:54 UTC
1.00 AUD=0.566983 EUR

http://www.xe.com/


(Maybe you should open a branch in Europe:cool:)

 

Hehehehe, l will be in Europe later this year but it wont be to open a branch that's for sure.

 

Maybe start a European Pedorthic Medical Grade Footwear training academy :welcome:

 

1 Euro = 1.80 AUD = 1.40 USD

I saw your website - I don't know anything similar here in Portugal...

Yesterday I made a contact that maybe will manage to do a personalized shoe "from scratch".

Best regards

 

Maybe try the Asics Gel-Cardio it has a rocker type midsole, but not as extreme as an MBT.

 

Actually Paulo and Romeu, you should come to IVO this year in November it is in the Hague ..about a 2 hour flight for you l think?

Come and meet with me and other Pedorthist from around the world, l promise to buy you a Coffey.

There will be an Australian Pedorthic & Medical Grade footwear Assoc. stand there promoting the first IVO conference outside Europe, it will be in Australia for 2012.

Most likely l will draw the short straw and be the bloke walking around in the Koala suit........be kind to our natives please.

 

Are there no pedorthists in Portugal?
There are groups in the US who would ship overseas.
I'll pass your information to them, if you are still in need--
-John

 

Its true there aren't any pedorthists here.

One can make a custom made shoe from specialized factories (after Italy and Spain Portugal are the best shoemakers), but the prices are extremely high (at least for locals), in fact the main market for those factories are central European countries like Germany Belgium, Switzerland or Netherlands.

Shoe repair guys don't know and don't care about shoe modifications.

Handcrafted shoe making is a dying art.

There are O&P technicians but usually they don't work with shoe modifications.

Portugal is a small market (only 10 million) with low income.

Importing from outside EU it's not easy because of customs taxes.

But you never know.

 

I never considered tax implications-
I know our group at LSU (Pedorthists) have received casts and made shoes and custom braces for patients in Canada, South America, and the UK.
What about Spain? We've had Spanish podiatrists rotate with us here in the past...

 

l dont know if tax would apply as a custom made shoe is a medical device.

l have made and sent product to countries in the EU before and never heard them mention tax to me before, but then again l am talking with a US client at the moment and they have not mentioned tax either?

l will ask her on the next E-mail if they will have to pay any taxes on the product

 

I agree with you, Paulo...

I think that to be classified as medical device you need some kind of certificate.
If you want more details please tell me...

Best regards,