From: Dennis Shavelson, DPM
A set formula for shoe manufacturers that are mass producing shoes is probably not feasible due to the differences in the forefoot break for cohorts of n=10,000+ feet or more. The failure rate would be too high. In order to develop cohorts that approximate the margin of error for designing soles or insoles that flex at the MP joints would need to be profiled and sub-grouped utilizing a foot typing system such as functional foot typing. That would lead to developing three or more variants of the insole or sole manufactured for the common foot types that would then be dispensed after the consumer is foot-typed at the time of sale.
Dennis Shavelson, DPM, NY, NY
From: Stephen M. Pribut, DPM
This past weekend's seminar was excellent. It afforded the opportunity to see many people who were tremendous lecturers of yesterday and still are great lecturers today. As D'Amico said, you won't see everyone there on the same platform again.
Many topics were covered. Both simplicity and complexity were on display from studies conducted by Schuster to one of the most intricate discussions of computer assisted gait analysis by Dr. D'Amico. D'Amico far exceeded what most biomechanists and almost all of those using the F- Scan in their offices would...
Editor's note: Dr. Pribut's extended-length letter can be read here.
From: Lloyd S. Smith, DPM
I was privileged to be one of his students and during my formative years as a sports podiatrist, trusted him as an advisor, mentor, and colleague. He taught me many of my current approaches to sports injuries, biomechanics, and orthotics. I use those thoughts every day. But our world has changed, and I now use a scanner for most of my devices. I evaluate every patient and write every Rx and alter many of the standards used on those prescriptions. That is what Dick taught me and also what I have learned after nearly 40 years of sports podiatry.
I also think that 3-D imaging will fundamentally alter our scanners, our lab work, and our office orthotic labs. I am not sure how that will occur, but it will be different. It is an exciting time for custom orthotic work. I urge DPMs to carefully watch these changes as they occur.
From: Arthur Lukoff, DPM
One of the highlights of the Seminar was the presentation by Dr. Joseph D'Amico. D'Amico was the treating physician for Jerry Seinfeld. He was so instrumental in relieving the chronic foot pain of Mr. Seinfeld, that in a show of gratitude, Mr. Seinfeld made a sizable donation to the College and also funded part of the Schuster Seminar.
The presentation showed the work-up by Dr. D'Amico and how, by using the F-Scan, he was able to...
Editor's note: Dr. Lukoff's extended-length letter can be read here.
RE: 1st Annual Richard O. Schuster Memorial Seminar
From: Charlers Ross, DPM
As a regular reader of PM News, I have noted many mentions of the fine work that Dr. Armstrong is doing, yet I still believe that the biomechanics/orthopedics of podiatry goes virtually unnoticed.
This past Sunday, I was fortunate to have been invited to be included as a guest speaker at the 1st Richard O. Schuster Memorial Seminar held at NYCPM and was sponsored by a gift from Jerry Seinfeld in his grateful appreciation to...
Editor's note: Dr. Ross' extended-length letter can be read here.
