How to combat the rising costs of Organic Disease using 2 mile walking programs and ergonomic footwear

The management of costly Organic Sedentary Diseases is eating the US Health Care System alive.

The 5 major diseases that are costly to manage and for the most part are reversable are;

Congestive Heart Failure

Diabetes

Hypertension

Obesity

Peripheral Vascular Disease

The Solution is Simple. . .  Walk

Get off the Couch and Walk

Walk 2 miles a day = 10,000 steps = 45 minutes will transform your life
Guaranteed !   Consult and ask your Primary Care Provider

But, be smart about the decision to get healthy. . .   Prevent overuse injuries, fatigue and maximize the efficiency of walking through the utilization of Ergonomic Footwear 
(Technology footwear + Orthotics or Bio Engineered Devices).

Ergonomic footwear will reduce load bearing trauma and cyclic load stresses on joints of the skeletal structure.   Ergonomic Footwear will also reduce fatige and give you an optimal environment so that you make this a life changing way of life.

Walking Benefits

Reduce Blood Pressure

Increase Colateral Coronary Circulation of the Heart

Reduce Blood Sugar

Reduce Fat and Weight

Increase circulation on the legs

Ergonomic Footwear Project
"Come On, Lets go for a Walk. . ."

 

www.DirectOrthotics.com

Advancements in Orthopedic Imaging

Ergonomic Footwear

Technology Footwear driven by 

Bio-engineered Devices

Driven by 3D Weight Bearing Kinematic imaging. 

3D weight bearing kinematic imaging that provides precise cyclic load bearing analysis of simple to complex diseases, injuries, and pain in musculoskeletal structures.
 

www.3DOcure.com

www.DigitalOrthotics.com

www.DirectOrthotics.com

714-669-9600

 

Video Summary

 

Pes Cavus (High Arch)

 

  

Pes Rectus (Normal Arch)

 

 

Pes Planus (Flatfoot)

 

 

3DO (3D Orthodyamics) Screen Shots

 

2D Dynamic Motion Analysis with Mass Displacement

 

 

3D Dynamic Motion Analysis

 

 

Outcome Static & Dynamic Report

 

 Ordering Custom Bio Engineered Devices
 

 

Ordering Custom Ergonomic Footwear



 

 

For more than 20 years Dr Craig Lowe has been a researcher and developer in Functional Biomechanics and Ergonomics.   The 3DO Project began in 1997 and contunues to this very day as the latest and only 3D Weight Bearing Kinematic Imaging System ever developed.    Fully patented and copyrighted, the .NET Cloud Digital Imager Live Software works on 32 and 64 bit Windows systems worldwide.

 

Digital Imager Live Software represents the latest 3D imaging which embodies intelligent code driving precise and corrective alignment of the rearfoot and midfoot without the errors associated with neutral joint positioning, (Casting, Laser of Foam Box Impressions).

 

We were the 1st. . .

 

The 1st Company to develop Intelligent Software (Doc in the Box) that computes neutral joint positioning using intelligent software code by analyizing Mass Displacement, Motion Analysis, Body Balance, Pressure, Symmetry, Gait and 3D Geometry..

The 1st Company to develop the Bio Engineered Devices

The 1st Medical Imaging Company to develop .NET Cloud Platform

 

Trademarks

3D Weight Bearing Kinematic Imaging

3DO (3D Orthodynamics)

G3 Stereoscopic Laser

Optical Imaging System

Solaris Imaging System

Digital Foot Fitter

Digital Imager Live

Ergonomic Footwear

Bio Engineered Devices

3D Pelvic Imaging

Custom Lean Manufacturing of Bio Engineered Devices

 

 

Dr Lowe has lectured to a variety of professions and currently is the medical director of Digital Orthotics Inc..  

 





 

 

 



 

 

 

 

The problems associated with plaster casting and the use of foam boxesfor the manufacturing of custom orthotics

Custom foot orthotics have been around for over 60 years and have historically helped patients with loadbearing joint conditions, however the "Art Form" has led to many error points.   Unfortunately, many orthotics do not adequately maximize cyclic loadbearing control of the foot on the limb, pelvis and spine due to the art form (plaster casting), and the 27 error points in the manufacturing and casting process.

A few of the error points. . .
When orthotics are manufactured from plaster casts and foam boxes, the technician has no idea as to how the foot functions. The technician is relying on the prescription by the physician or the technician for the manufacturing of the custom device, however critical elements relative to static and dynamic biomechanical conditions are completely unknown to the technician at the time of manufacturing.

Some of these error point include;

• Proper alignment of the rear foot and midfoot joints by palpation
• Applying adequate thickness of plaster on the feet. If the plaster is not thick enough it will create distortion.
• Making sure that the plaster has dried properly. If the Plaster is not completely dried it can become distorted leading to error.
• Making sure that the patient has not moved their feet after the slipper cast is been applied.
• Making sure that the technician or physician properly removes the cast without distorting the neutral position of the foot. Improper removal of the slipper cast can create distortion.
• Allowing the negative casts to dry thoroughly prior to shipping.
• Proper protection of the negative cast during shipping to the laboratory. This is necessary to ensure that the plaster caster not get broken during the shipping process by common carrier.
• Making sure that the prescription form is properly documented relative to the patient's diagnosis and Baturro request.
• Once the negative cast is received by the production laboratory, it is critical that the negative cast be balanced with the heel vertical at 90°. If this is not done adequately and there's error in this vertical bisection process, there can be significant error in the manufacturing of the orthotic device.
• Next, it is important to make sure that the plaster that is poured into the slipper cast is of the right consistency of water to plaster. If there's too much water in the plaster, it can cause the negative cast to collapse thereby losing correction.
• Next, it is important to make sure that the technician does not put too much plaster fill in the arch. If there's too much plaster fill this will also reduce controllability of the device on the foot.
• Next, the plastic that is heated in the convection oven must be heated at the right temperature for the right time. So that the plastic is pliable and not too soft and not too rigid for thermal pressing. If the plastic is not heated properly this can cause distortion and weakening of the plastic over the positive mold.
• It is also vital that the bladder suctioning be of proper negative pressure so that the bladder that molds the heated plastic onto the positive shell brings the plastic down exactly to the surface of the plantar aspect of the positive mold so that there's adequate correction of the device. If bladder pressure is too weak then they'll be gapping between the plastic and the mold leading to further error.
• There are also a series of errors relative to the rough grinding and final grinding of the orthotic shell.
• Errors on the medial and lateral side of the distal orthotic is also critical to supporting vital 1st Ray stability as well as other structures of the foot. If the shell is cut to narrow than the first ray and primary propulsive areas of the foot will fail to be supported.
• Heel cup depth is also a critical factor in the manufacturing of the orthotic. If the heel cup is too shallow, particularly for men, this can effectively interfere with rear foot control.
• Proper rear foot posting is critical for the locking and unlocking of the sub taylor joint against the mid tarsal joints of the foot. If there is not a proper posting correction, it could interfere with functional control of the rear foot on the midfoot thereby leaving the orthotic more vulnerable to error.
• Understanding what type of orthotic is going be placed in the proper footwear. If the wrong orthotic is improperly matched to the footwear, this can cause binding of the orthotic and loss of biomechanical control. An example would be manufacturing an oxford orthotic to fit into a style shoe. Style orthotics are generally low bulk orthotics made specifically for style footwear.

Advancements
Advancements in 3-D weight-bearing kinematic imaging have dramatically improved the accuracy of manufacturing process of corrective devices. 3DO imaging does not rely on neutral joint positioning, (Art Form), but rather it relies on the assessment of seven unique static and dynamic areas of physics;

1. Mass displacement analysis
2. Motion analysis
3. Body balance in all three body planes
4. Pressure analysis, both linear and sheer pressures
5. Symmetry
6. Gait Analysis
7. Three dimensional plantar surfacing

3DO imaging (3-D weight-bearing kinematic imaging), is a new state-of-the-art static and dynamic imaging process that accurately identifies complex to simple cyclic load conditions affecting the foot, lower leg, knee, hip, pelvis and spine. Sophisticated imaging software properly identifies the neutral joint position of the rear foot (Sub Talar Joint), midfoot, (mid tarsal joints) and the first ray (navicular, medial cuniform, 1st metatarsal, hallux) which is a primary propulsive part of the foot.

3DO imaging relies on precise three-dimensional geometry in order to provide the anatomy deformity to the necessary correction required.

Technicians have software where they are are allowed to see the static and dynamic forces affecting the patient's cyclic load conditions in real time,(just what the physician sees). This is a critically important element in new imaging technology providing the technician with functional data relative to the patient's biomechanical and ergonomic conditions. It is as if the technician is standing right next to the doctor during the examination process. When the technician can see exactly what the doctor sees then he is able to perform the manufacturing process with greater degrees of accuracy.

Reducing the multiple areas of error in the data acquisition to manufacturing process improves dramatically the success rate of these devices on the patient's medical conditions. As a result we have developed a new product called a Bioengineerd Device as opposed to an orthotic that meets higher calibration and precision requirements of limb function.

To learn more about 3DO imaging technology and manufacturing advancements please go to the following websites;

 

www.3DOCure.com
www.DigitalOrthotics.com
www.DirectOrthotics.com
 

Older Plaster Methods of Manufacturing - Full of Errors 

 

 

3DO - 3D Weight Bearing Kinematic Imaging to Manufacturing

Accuracy and Reliability  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

www.DigitalOrthotics.com

 714-669-9600

 

 

 

 

Osteoarthritis of the knee

Degenerative Osteoarthritis of the Knee

Avoiding and preventing the surgery should be a primary goal of the physician treating orthopedic disease of the knee joint.

The knee is primarily a hinge joint and its primary function is to flex and extended with it's articulation with the tibia and the femur. The knee joint is affected by all three body planes.

Transverse Plane
Excessive internal rotation of the lower leg produced by excessive foot pronation is a primary cause for knee instability. When the foot overly collapses or pronates, the leg goes through excessive internal rotation during the mid stance phase of the gait cycle. This offsets the normal axis of motion of the knee joint causing the normal range of motion of the knee to be affected.

Frontal Plane
Knock knee position (coxa vara genu valgum) crests additional knee instability.

Lateral Plane
Hyper-extension of the knee along with tight posterior compartment shortages (equinus of gastrocnemius (calf) and hamstrings) are another deforming force on knee mechanics.

New methods of biomechanical and ergonomic intervention

• 3-D weight bearing kinematic imaging is a static and dynamic cyclic load stress analysis for providing the physician with critical information relative to loadbearing mechanics of the limb, pelvis and spine. Understanding the mechanical causes of knee disease is critical in both preventing surgery reducing medical costs and treatment and providing effective postoperative treatment regimens, especially in the case of knee implant surgery.
• Critical surgical planning and biomechanical evaluation of of all three body planes (limb length, leg positioning (frontal plane) and rotation, muscle compartment strengths and weaknesses) are necessary evaluations prior to surgical intervention.
• If the implant surgery must be done, the patient should be evaluated postoperatively at three and six months as the implants seats in both the tibia and the femur postoperatively abd then followed every two years for adaption changes as the implant and other structures heal and compensate for surgical intervention. 

Using 3-D weight-bearing kinematic imaging provides a true biomechanical and ergonomic snapshot of the patients static and functional conditions relative to cyclic load. Utilizing 3DO imaging (Three Dimensional Orthodynamics) is a very affective diagnostic tool for the assessment of both pre-surgical and post-surgical changes of the knee joint.

More information regarding 3DO technology can be provided by going to the following websites;

www.3DOCure.com
www.DigitalOrthotics.com
www.DirectOrthotics.com

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

Hip pain

Hip pain which would include arthritis and soft tissue conditions around the hip are extremely common in not only the athlete but also the elderly.

Treatment solutions consisting of injections physical therapy and joint implant surgery are commonplace.  The cause or etiology is due to a long-standing biomechanical destabilization of the joint resulting in abnormal wear and tear resulting in degenerative arthritic erosion of the femoral head.  Since the hip joint functions and all three body planes, it is affected by all these planes as the joint becomes unstable.

Frontal Plane
The most common deforming force on the hip joint is due to a unilateral leg shortage. This condition not only adds more impact forces at the hip joint but also can cause compensating spinal adaption leading to scoliosis.

Transverse Plane
Another condition but at least you abnormal wear and tear at the hip joint is excessive limb rotation due to foot pronation. Foot pronation, or excessive collapsing of the foot, lease to excessive limb rotation which can cause abnormal cyclic load where at the hip joint.

Lateral Plane
Another condition that will add excessive trauma and compressive forces at the hip joint results from tight posterior muscle groups in the leg. This condition is known as equinus and results in abnormal cyclic load at the hip joint level.

Wolfes law states that if these abnormal compressive and loadbearing conditions continue for a period of time that there will be adaption and deterioration of bone and soft tissue at that joint level. This ultimately will lead to the intervention of joint implant surgery. Most of the time this is avoidable if hot and treated biomechanically.

Advancements in evaluation and treatment

• Understanding the cyclic load conditions of the hip in all three body planes using 3-D weight-bearing kinematic imaging is vital to the successful treatment of the hip joint. 3DO imaging, (Three Dimensional Orthodynamics), is a new state-of-the-art imaging technology that will isolate and identify complex cyclical load conditions affecting the body.
• Utilizing bioengineerd devices to control cyclic load conditions of the foots interaction with the ground significantly reduces trauma to the hip joint and will stop and many times reverse some of the arthritic damage in the joint especially in the younger patient. Bioengineered devices are a higher level of mechanical control the classic foot orthotics and provided very precise method of control for complex load conditions of the body.

More information about 3DO imaging is available through the following websites;

www.3DOCure.com

www.DigitalOrthotics.com

www.DirectOrthotics.com

 

 

Utilizing 3-D Weight Bearing Kinematic Imaging in Prosthetics and Orthotics

Any mechanically aided device whether it be a foot orthotic, bioengineered devices, knee, hip, spinal devices including bracing and prosthetic limbs requires an analysis of biomechanical changes relative to the effects of that orthosis on that anatomical area of the body.   These devices are affected by reactive ground forces from the body and there should be a conserted effort to evaluate and control the cyclic load conditions.

• Any orthosis is going to have a change in the mechanical alteration of limb function.
• Understanding the effects of these devices is important in the total rehabilitation and stabilization of the patient from an ergonomic and biomechanical perspective.
• Utilizing 3-D weight-bearing kinematic imaging is a critical tool in the understanding of simple to complex cyclic load conditions during static and dynamic gait. 
• 3DO imaging, (Three Dimensional Orthodynamics), has proven to be a very effective diagnostic tool in the evaluation of bracing and orthosis utilization.

More information can be found by going to the following websites;

www.3DOCure.com

www.DirectOrthotics.com

www.DirectOrthotics.com

 



Lumbar Orthosis

 

BK Ankle - Foot Brace

Knee Brace

 

 

Chondromalascia of the Patella (Knee)

Chondromalascia of the patella (knee cap) is a biomechanical problem resulting from abnormal tracking of the patella in the Femoral Groove of the femur.

• The cause is due to excessive transverse plane rotation of the leg as a result of foot pronation.
• Most of the treatments provided are symptomatic with injections, surgery, and rehabilitation. Unfortunately few physicians look at the biomechanical cause of the condition.
• The knee primarily works as a hinge anatomically and as a result is designed to work on one plane of motion which is flexion and extension.
• When the foot overly pronate's or collapses, it causes the internal rotation of the lower leg to increase thereby setting off the normal axis of motion of the knee joint causing the patella to abnormally track in the femoral groove.

Understanding the complex biomechanics of the foot and its affect on transfers plane limb rotation is critical in the proper treatment of this condition.

New medical treatments and have been developed to better understand the internal mechanical function of the foot and static and dynamic environments and it's effect on abnormal transverse plane limb rotation.

3-D weight-bearing kinematic imaging is the most sophisticated method for analyzing this condition. This is done through the utilization of a computer weight-bearing 3-D mechanical tracking system referred to as 3DO (Three Dimensional Orthodynamics).   This analytical computer system was developed by Digital Orthotics after many years of research and development.

For more information regarding 3DO imaging please contact the following websites;

 www.3DOCure.com
www.DigitalOrthotics.com
www.DirectOrthotics.com
 

 

 

 

Advanced 3D Imaging for the Assessment of injuries and orthopedicdiseases

3DO technology (developed by Digital Orthotics), is a 3-D Weight Bearing Kinematic imaging Solution for the assessment of simple to complex load bearing joint diseases.

• The analysis of load bearing conditions is evaluated through intelligent software were critical elements of body mass displacement, body balance, pressure load, motion analysis, symmetry, gate, and three-dimensional plantar surfacing is evaluated. With a simple to operate software interface, the 90 second analysis is easy to perform by medical or non-medical personnel.
• The patient, consumer or athlete stands on the 3D media and then walks on the 3D media where multiple physical properties are analyzed. Next an outcome measurement report is produced providing static and dynamic information to educate and provide objective information relative to diseases.

According to Dr Craig Lowe, a retired physician and biomechanical researcher who developed the 3DO system after 15 years of research and development developed the 3D imager to analyzed the mechanical cause of injuries, arthritis, and many other orthopedic conditions which stem from a biomechanical cause. These conditions need to have biomechanical intervention so that the cause of the deformity, the injury, the disease is focused on at the foundation of the disorder.

The problem ... Few physicians understands the complexity of the new speciality of Functional Biomechanics and so Dr Lowe developed software which drives Neutral Joint Positioning which is critical to controlling cyclic load control of the limb, pelvis, and spine.

3DO imaging has been used on patients, professional athletes, injury assessments, US Olympics as well as industry in the United States, Canada and Asia.

To learn more, go to;

 www.3DOCure.com
www.DigitalOrthotics.com
www.DirectOrthotics.com

Basic Foot Types

Dynamic 2D Gait Analysis with Mass DIsplacement

 



 

3D Dynamic Analysis

 

 

Sample 2D/3D Production Data