09/16/2022    V. Kathleen Satterfield, DPM

Biomechanics and the Survival of Podiatry

All is not lost, indeed! As I read your editorial
“Biomechanics and the Survival of Podiatry” I
realized there is growing evidence that we are
actually entering a new era of biomechanics and
this is a welcome sign. But it is not necessarily
the biomechanics of my teachers, as research
expands our knowledge. Western University College
of Podiatric Medicine is contributing to this
renaissance. A modern biomechanics lab opened this
fall, with instruments that evaluate both
kinesthetics and kinematics.

The mainstay of traditional orthotic production is
taught by Dr. Arnold Ross, and through a gift from
KevinRoot Medical, our students will learn creation
of orthotics through scanning technology. The late
Paul Scherer, DPM and Dr. Aaron Meltzer established
a Biomechanics Fellowship at WesternU, with the
intent of educating podiatric physicians who have
an interest in teaching the subject. Those chosen
will spend an intensive year of study with the many
renowned podiatric physicians and surgeons who have
offered to help educate the fellows. Very generous
donations from Dr. Chris Smith, previously of
Northwest Labs, have helped the program to grow.
Dr. Donald Green is another biomechanics legend who
is working to make this a reality. The movement is
growing.

Most importantly, in my opinion, is that WesternU
has moved biomechanics out of its silo. It is being
taught not only as a treatment in its own right but
it is incorporated into the teaching of surgery.
For too long we have, as a profession, operated
based on two-dimensional radiographs rather than a
moving, functioning lower extremity. Biomechanics
enhances surgical intervention, ensuring that a
procedure is designed to affect movement and not to
change angles on a static x-ray.

I am aware that other podiatric colleges are also
ramping up their biomechanical offerings, and even
opening new labs. I will leave it to them to tell
their unique stories, which deserve to be told.
There is indeed a new wave moving through our
profession, a movement to reintroduce biomechanics
– traditional and modern versions, to enhance other
services we provide like surgery.

V. Kathleen Satterfield, DPM, Dean and Professor,
WesternU

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