Although the New Balance Fresh Foam series has been a recent favorite, the price has increased significantly and is out of reach for many folks. In response to the price increase I’ve looked at other shoes on the market. The current Asics “Gel Contend”, “Gel Excite” and “Gel Venture” models currently have many of the same desired features; neutral alignment, reinforced heel counter, cushioned midsole, and light weight at a much lower price. If you are looking for a good athletic shoe, one of these Asics models may work well.

As always, feel free to e-mail any shoe-related questions.

Although post-Covid research is ongoing and changing daily, some recent studies show that there is a potential 7-12 month period after first contracting Covid where fatigue is a primary symptom. Inactivity due to fatigue may contribute to other physical problems.

From an orthopedic view, one of the primary factors that contributes to “overuse” syndrome is a sudden transition to exercise after a long period of inactivity. This can manifest as new symptoms during standing, walking or engaging in athletic activity. Common “overuse” symptoms can include knee pain, ankle pain and foot pain. Sometimes old symptoms will re-emerge.

With that said, is is important to gradually return to physical activity after you’ve had Covid. For specifics as to how gradual, consult your physical therapist or physician.

Research is ongoing, so this post will be updated as new information becomes available.

Current turnaround time is 3 weeks from casting to fitting.

E-mail communication is currently the best way to schedule appts.

tporcelli@earthlink.net

If you choose to call, please note the following:

Over the past few months Footco has received a number of phone messages that were garbled and the return numbers were not clear enough to return the calls. In several other cases callers have left numbers that are not in service.

*Footco does not have a caller ID feature.

Please help to solve this problem by slowly repeating your phone number twice when you call. If you don’t receive a return call within a day, please assume that the number you left was not clear enough to return the call.

Thanks

Footco has moved from the Southport location to 2650 W. Montrose, Suite 105.

The new location is more convenient with regard to transportation. Street parking on Montrose in front of the building is free. There is also free parking in the rear of the building, in addition  to a handicap ramp. The Montrose bus stops just down the block. The e-mail address and phone number will remain the same. Clinic hours are on Mondays only from 11am-6pm.

Limited clinic hours have resumed. Appointments are limited to one day per week. Appointments are spaced with at least 20 minutes between patients to allow for sanitizing/cleaning between appts.
*Only one patient at a time will be in the clinic. The exception to this rule is when a caretaker, spouse or parent of the patient is present.
All are required to wear masks while in the office.
Hand sanitizer is readily accessible.

Continuing education credits may again be available after distancing protocol is relaxed AT YOUR FACILITY! *As of this date (2021), it is not clear when this will be.

SAVE BIG by booking a presentation AT YOUR LOCATION!

Current states served are Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Northern California, Oregon. Contact us to book a presentation in your state.

To discuss arranging an on-site presentation of “Orthotic Design in Theory and Practice” (6 CE credits), contact Tim at 312-409-2175 or e-mail: tporcelli@earthlink.net

Some of the current designs of athletic shoes are offering a “heel offset” feature to appeal to “pronators”. What this means is that the heel is positioned into inversion. Although it is a logical feature to offer, the degree of positioning can be rather large.  An 8mm offset can translate to 10 degrees or more of heel inversion.  From an orthotic perspective, 8mm is generally an extreme degree of positioning.  With that said, it is important to consult with your health care professional prior to purchasing a shoe with an “offset” heel.  If you are wearing orthoses, it is usually best to wear a neutral athletic shoe to maintain the accuracy of the orthoses’ position.

In response to the increasing interest in balance within the elderly population, “Orthotic Design in Theory and Practice” now includes an in-depth discussion of orthotic alignment as it relates to balance and gait.

“Geriatric Balance and Lower Extremity Orthoses” will be offered as a separate course later in 2018.

Contact us for more info at 312-409-2175 or tporcelli@earthlink.net

The 2017 course dates are now posted.

Click on the “Continuing Education” tab to go to course dates, info and registration.