Most young practitioners, in general, and in podiatry specifically, have excellent training in the medical and surgical management of the lower extremities, but limited background in the field of foot and ankle foot orthotics. Gaining this experience and confidence may involve some on the job training and educating oneself. Fortunately, there are many resources on the subject available, with plenty more on the horizon. Practice your casting technique on whomever will volunteer, it is absolutely painless!
Watch people walk, in your office and everyday life. Gait analysis is an art that must be practiced to gain expertise. Spend the time to thoroughly examine the patients for their particular biomechanical needs, learn to find the neutral position of the human foot. How does their structure line up with how they function? Is there a biomechanical root cause to a particular pathology you are seeing? What compensation mechanisms do you recognize?
