In medicine the above comment is relative to all of us in health care.
Many times, we have patients with pathological changes that are not recognized, which unwittingly leads to prolonged pain and suffering for our patients.
Today, I would like to offer some information on closed chain kinetic movement of the lower extremities.
Closed chain kinetic movement is defined as the distal end of a limb (foot) which is fixed/ stationary against the ground causing the body/lower extremity to rotate against and around this fixed point. If these rotational forces are not met, it will lead to pain.
The pathological changes associated with poor closed chain kinetic motion of the lower extremities can lead to a plethora of long-term conditions to include but not limited to low back pain, lumbar radiculopathy, sciatica, IT band pathology, chronic knee pain, degenerative arthritis, chronic ankle pain, as well as, a multitude of different foot pain.
Improper closed chain kinetic movement of the lower extremities is the number one cause/contributor of knee replacement as well as hip replacement.
With improved/corrected mechanical motion associated with closed chain kinetic movement the need for anti-inflammatory prescriptions as well as narcotic medications can be substantially reduced.
Podiatrists have a key role in helping to alleviate these structural conditions associated with poor closed chain kinetic movement by identifying mal positioning of the foot/ankle complex of movement of the lower extremities.
The intent of this letter and information is to elucidate the benefits of an orthotic foot device that provides better alignment of foot/ankle/knee/hip closed chain kinetic movement.
With the current trend of proactive preventative care/medicine versus old school thought mantra of reactive medical care orthotics can help provide not only resolution of current condition but also help reduce the incidence of long-term arthritic changes that can be prevented in the future for most patients.
If possible, in the near future, I would like to do a quick lunchtime brownbag presentation on closed chain kinetic movement. Additionally, on that visit I would like to dispense a set of prefabricated orthotics to each practitioner, not only for their own experimental use but also for the practitioner to have a better understanding of what this orthotic device can do for their patients, and of course, better align their closed chain kinetics.
In closing, the eye only sees what the mind knows and hopefully, with dispensing and allowing the practitioners to utilize orthotics on a consistent basis they will understand the benefits of this structural alignment and better be able to refer to my office for these devices.
These devices that I will be dispensing at the time of the lunch/brown bag meeting are a prefabricated, three-quarter length, rigid device that does not require any removal of materials from the shoe nor does it require any change in shoes size and will last approximately 10 to 20 years.
Medicare has limited benefits, and does not cover the cost of orthotics
I USUALLY WILL DISPENSE PATIENT’S PREFABRICATED, RIGID ORTHOTICS AT FIRST VISIT AT NO CHARGE AT NO CHARGE TO THE PATIENT AS THIS IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO IN MEDICAL CARE.
THIS DISPENSING OF PREFABRICATED, RIGID ORTHOTICS IS NOT DONE BY ANY OTHER PODIATRISTS DO IN THE COMMUNITY.
I look forward to meeting with everyone for a brief chat, more than likely no more than 15 minutes.
Regards
John M. Barnes, DPM, FACFAS, CWSP
