Katherine Cook: Leg Length Differences: Measurement and Pressure Plate Analysis

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We progress to the seventh of our #FireflySummit rapid-fire presentations with physiotherapist Katherine Cook taking the stage. Katherine specialises in biomechanics, 3D motion analysis systems (CODA) and accelerometer.

Her presentation explores critical assessment of patients for leg length discrepancy [LLD] and whether any such difference is clinically relevant.

LLD have been linked to patellofemoral pain and knee osteoarthritis. Addressing LLD has been found to improve back pain and relationships have been found between LLD and gait deviations.

About John Chadwick

Katherine graduated as a Physiotherapist from the University of Wales, Cardiff in 1999. After completing Junior and Senior posts in Portsmouth she moved to London and started her PhD at Kings College, London. Her biomechanical research involved comparison of 3D motion analysis systems (CODA) and accelerometry, particularly focussing on age related changes and factors associated with dynamic balance and falls.

Katherine completed her PhD in 2008 and returned to clinical work in the private sector. She began working for the MOD in 2008 and continues to enjoy working as a biomechanical specialist. Katherine ‘s life consists of trying to work like she doesn’t have children and bringing up the children like she doesn’t work.

ABOUT THE FIREFLY SUMMIT 2017

When we designed the Firefly Summit 2017 we wanted to create a podiatric event like no other. We invited 11 female and 10 male speakers to Sligo. Selected for their expertise and hands-on experience, these top clinicians collaborated on topics to deliver world-class podiatric presentations communicating their ‘clinical gold’ to the Summit delegates.

It wasn’t all podiatric talk. To keep things interesting, all 200 delegates and speakers immersed themselves in the beauty of the wilds of Ireland’s north west coast, taking part in surfing, hiking, stand up paddle-boarding and seaweed baths – WOW!

Don’t miss out!

To keep up to date on all Summit news and to get direct notifications to your inbox, complete the form below!

Discover the benefits of Firefly

John Chadwick | TMTJ Arthritis: A Combined Clinical Approach of Injection and Orthotic Therapy

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Welcome to the latest edition of the Firefly Summit rapid-fire presentations. MSK Podiatrist John Chadwick opened the second rapid-fire session on day one of the #FireflySummit.

John discussed imaging techniques in the identification of TMTJ arthritis, when and why to implement intra-articular corticosteroid injections and orthotic therapy as treatment options.

About John Chadwick

John graduated in 1999 from Huddersfield University with a BSc(Hons) Degree in Podiatry and specialised in Musculoskeletal Podiatry within the NHS from 2002. In 2003, he began work as a Specialist Orthopaedic Practitioner for Peterborough and Stamford Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, where he worked exclusively within Orthopaedics, specialising in the foot and ankle.

As an MSK Specialist Podiatrist, John has gone on to work within Orthopaedic Surgery as an AfPP-Registered Orthopaedic Surgical Practitioner, in the field of lower limb surgery, specifically in regard to the foot & ankle.

John recently became a Fellow of the Faculty of Podiatric Medicine of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow and was awarded a Fellowship of the College of Podiatric Medicine in recognition of his extended scope of practice within the field of Orthopaedics

ABOUT THE FIREFLY SUMMIT 2017

When we designed the Firefly Summit 2017 we wanted to create a podiatric event like no other. We invited 11 female and 10 male speakers to Sligo. Selected for their expertise and hands-on experience, these top clinicians collaborated on topics to deliver world-class podiatric presentations communicating their ‘clinical gold’ to the Summit delegates.

It wasn’t all podiatric talk. To keep things interesting, all 200 delegates and speakers immersed themselves in the beauty of the wilds of Ireland’s north west coast, taking part in surfing, hiking, stand up paddle-boarding and seaweed baths – WOW!

Don’t miss out!

To keep up to date on all Summit news and to get direct notifications to your inbox, complete the form below!

Discover the benefits of Firefly

Hannah Watkinson | Neurodynamic Testing: The Slump Test

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Hannah Watkinson of Frontline Podiatry brought the opening session of the #FireflySummit rapid fire presentations to a close in September.

Her presentation “Neurodynamic Testing – Slump and SLR” explored the connection between back pathologies and radicular leg pain.

  • What – types of back problems can cause radicular leg pain symptoms.
  • When – the pain is coming specifically from the back.
  • How – we as podiatrists can confirm or deny a diagnosis.

Hannah demonstrates a neurodynamic test known as the slump test, that seeks to locate interface problems of the sciatic nerve with an aim of reproducing the patient’s symptoms in a clinic environment.

About Hannah Watkinson

Hannah is a Podiatrist who is heavily experienced in the field of biomechanics, specializing in exercise induced leg pain as well as complex foot trauma.

She worked and gained experience in the NHS (Kent PCT) before spending 10 years with the Ministry of Defence in 2007 to lead Musculoskeletal Podiatry clinics at the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre, Headley Court.

Hannah now concentrates on her private practice which she set up in 2014. She also delivers biomechanics training across the UK to Physiotherapists and Podiatrists.

ABOUT THE FIREFLY SUMMIT 2017

When we designed the Firefly Summit 2017 we wanted to create a podiatric event like no other. We invited 11 female and 10 male speakers to Sligo. Selected for their expertise and hands-on experience, these top clinicians collaborated on topics to deliver world-class podiatric presentations communicating their ‘clinical gold’ to the Summit delegates.

It wasn’t all podiatric talk. To keep things interesting, all 200 delegates and speakers immersed themselves in the beauty of the wilds of Ireland’s north west coast, taking part in surfing, hiking, stand up paddle-boarding and seaweed baths – WOW!

Don’t miss out!

To keep up to date on all Summit news and to get direct notifications to your inbox, complete the form below!

Discover the benefits of Firefly

Service Disruption due to Severe Weather Warning

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A status red weather warning has been issued across the Republic of Ireland by Met Eireann (national meteorological service of Ireland).

On foot of advice from state agencies, Firefly Orthoses will be closing as of 1300hrs on Thursday, March 1st and may not reopen until Monday, March 5th at 9am.

For customers who are awaiting the processing and delivery of orders over the coming days, please expect a delay of up 48 hours, at least. In addition to the closure of Firefly on the stated dates, postal, delivery and courier services will not operate while a status red weather warning is in operation.
If you have any queries, contact [email protected].

Met Eireann Statement

Further heavy snow showers will bring accumulations of significant levels with all areas at risk.
Blizzard conditions will develop from the south Thursday afternoon and evening as heavy snow and strong easterly winds bring snow drifts northwards over the country. Eastern and southern coastal counties will be worst affected.

Issued: Wednesday 28 February 2018 23:00

Valid: Wednesday 28 February 2018 23:00 to Friday 02 March 2018 15:00

Emily Ball | 3 R’s to Growing your practice: rebook, referral & reactivate

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It’s the 4th in our series of Firefly Summit rapid-fire presentations and the turn of Emily Ball from ActiveStep Podiatry, Fareham, Hampshire.

If you are actively building your business and nurturing patient loyalty at your clinic, then Emily’s presentation will offer you some key insights.

In the context of how other health professionals interact with their patient’s, Emily emphasises how podiatrists need to communicate accordingly. You wouldn’t hear a dentist say “come back to me when you have a toothache…”, so why should a podiatrist?

By focusing on three low to no cost strategies – Rebooking, Referring and Reactivating, Emily reveals how she has recorded an 85% rebooking rate and continual practice growth in her clinic.

About Emily Ball

Emily is the Founder and Clinical Director of Active Step Healthcare where she specialises in Lower Limb MSK. Her experience includes working within the MOD and with elite and professional athletes.

She also delivers training across the South of England on the clinical application of Video Gait Analysis and provides consultancy and training to Podiatrists across the UK and Ireland on behalf of a leading supplier of Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy machines.

Unsurprisingly, Emily’s special interests are in gait analysis, gait retraining and the management of tendon injury using ESWT. She is currently undergoing her Master’s degree where she is focussing on these topics.

ABOUT THE FIREFLY SUMMIT 2017

When we designed the Firefly Summit 2017 we wanted to create a podiatric event like no other. We invited 11 female and 10 male speakers to Sligo. Selected for their expertise and hands-on experience, these top clinicians collaborated on topics to deliver world-class podiatric presentations communicating their ‘clinical gold’ to the Summit delegates.

It wasn’t all podiatric talk. To keep things interesting, all 200 delegates and speakers immersed themselves in the beauty of the wilds of Ireland’s north west coast, taking part in surfing, hiking, stand up paddle-boarding and seaweed baths – WOW!

Don’t miss out!

To keep up to date on all Summit news and to get direct notifications to your inbox, complete the form below!

Discover the benefits of Firefly

Pod Chat Live | Martin Mc Geough & Artur Maliszewski

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Watch the latest episode of PodChatLive as it lifts the curtain on life at the foot orthoses lab and features Firefly’s own Martin Mc Geough and Artur Maliszewski of Australian manufacturer Footwork Podiatric Lab.

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Jon Palmer | How a simple vascular test can save lives

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Every fortnight we feature a speaker who presented a rapid-fire presentation at the Firefly Summit. Exeter podiatrist Jon Palmer’s presentation focused on how combining vascular screening with MSK examinations can detect stroke symptoms or potential heart complications ahead of time.

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Glen Foley | Adult Rotational Deformity of Lower Limb

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We continue our series looking back at the rapid-fire presentations during the #FireflySummit 2017, this week it’s the turn of MSK Podiatrist Glen Foley.
Glen’s presentation encourages us to look deeper into the condition of Adult Rotational Deformity in the lower limb.

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Firefly Orthoses Lab Closure Dates 2018

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Firefly Orthoses will close for 10 national holidays across 2018.  Please note, Firefly’s offices will closed for a number of days over the 2018 Christmas period. Aside form December 25th and 26th 2018, these dates have not been confirmed.

Monday January 1st – New Year’s Day – national holiday

Saturday March 17th – St. Patrick’s Day – national holiday

Monday March 19th – St. Patrick’s Day – observance

Monday April 2nd  – Easter Sunday – national holiday

Monday May 7th – May Day – national holiday

Monday June 4th – June Bank Holiday – national holiday

Monday August 6th – August Bank Holiday – national holiday

Monday October 29th – October Bank Holiday – national holiday

Tuesday December 25th – Christmas Day – national holiday

Wednesday December 26th – St Stephen’s Day – national holiday

Get the Summit Rapid-fire Presentations direct to your Inbox

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Every two weeks we feature one of the 21 speakers who presented rapid-fire presentations at the Firefly Summit 2017. Each offering the unique insight from one of the UK and Ireland’s leading practitioners who treat lower leg extremity.

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