Clinical trial of a computer-aided system for orthopaedic shoe upper design.

A trial has been conducted to produce the uppers for orthopaedic shoes using an existing commercial computer-aided design system. The aims of the trial were to confirm that a CAD system developed for the volume shoe trade (Shoemaster from Clarks Shoes) could be used for the upper design of orthopaedic shoes and to assess the contribution of professional shoe design on cosmesis and acceptability of these shoes. A small number of adult diabetic patients and children with foot deformities were selected, all of who had previously been prescribed and issued with special shoes.

Technical evaluation of a CAD system for orthopaedic shoe-upper design.

Computer aided design is now employed routinely in the volume shoe trade. New styles are developed on a three-dimensional image of the last followed by automated pattern generation and engineering. It is suggested that such systems could be useful in the orthopaedic footwear industry although the different requirements for these bespoke products need careful consideration.

Changes in plantar surface shape induced by corrective forefoot eversion.

An investigation is presented of the change in shape of the plantar surface of the foot when the forefoot is everted (prohated) from its natural unloaded orientation into a corrected position frequently used during shoe insert fabrication. Both free and corrected casts were made of 13 asymptomatic feet using established casting techniques. Digital scans capture each plantar surface shape into a computer where an analysis of the transverse slope of the plane is made at various longitudinal locations between midheel and metatarsal head regions.