2015 Podopaediatrics SIG Conference, Birmingham

Firefly’s Technical Manager Ines Labberte will be attending this year’s Podopaediatrics SIG Conference. The single-day conference is taking place on Friday July 3rd and will focus on the topic of Hypermobility, a relatively commonly issue encountered by the Podiatric profession when treating children. Hosted in Birmingham’s Holiday Inn city centre hotel, the conference will explore diagnosis, effects, and body wide impacts of hypermobility including Podiatric pain-management and strategies.

Make sure to stop by Firefly’s stand at the conference and say hello to Ines. She’ll be happy to tell you how Podiatrists across the UK and Ireland choose Firefly Orthoses to treat flattened arches, frequently associated with hypermobility.

See Firefly’s range of orthoses and contact us for further information about prescribing devices or placing orders.

3D Printed Orthoses – The Firefly & SOLS Partnership

Firefly have partnered with SOLS, the company whose 3D printed orthoses are challenging traditional approaches to the design and manufacture of orthotic devices. Operating out of New York, SOLS’ disruptive technology is seeking to positively influence how podiatrists interact with their patients by embracing enhancements in technology.

news-3d-printed-sols

Just three photos [arch, heel and ankle] captured using Apple’s iPhone or iPad is all that’s required to accurately map the key anatomical features of an individual’s unique foot and gait. Speed, efficiency and most importantly accuracy are at the heart of this process.

SOLS arch capture with iPad at Firefly

Firefly Podiatrist captures planter foot anatomy using SOLS iPad app

SOLS heel capture with iPad at Firefly

Firefly Podiatrist captures heel aspect using SOLS iPad app

SOLS ankle capture with iPad at Firefly

Firefly Podiatrist captures arch aspect using SOLS iPad app

In keeping with traditional expectations, patient specifications and requirements are then applied to the digital model. From here it is customised for shoe type, patient weight, activity and foot flexibility.

The customised digital model is then closely inspected by biomechanical and 3D engineers. The next stage sees the model become reality.  Laser sintered from aerospace grade Nylon plastic, the device is 3D printed printed to an accuracy of 5 microns.

As an industry leader Firefly is constantly seeking new opportunities and practices to support the Podiatric profession.  Firefly’s partnership with SOLS is another example of how we are progressing Podiatry.  By engaging accessible technologies such as Apple’s iPhone and iPad, combining these with 3D modeling and printing software, we are delivering the future of Podiatry today.

Register your interest in SOLS, email [email protected] today.

The Physio Matters Podcast featuring Podiatrist Ian Griffiths

We’d like to draw your attention to the excellent Physio Matters Podcasts.  The most recent edition of this accessible and informative series focuses on Podiatry and is titled The Myth of Over-Pronation.

Presented by Jack Chews of Chews Health, the series explores musculoskeletal and sports medicine for those working in physiotherapy, sports therapy, sports rehabilitation, medicine and features guests who specialise in a range of related fields.

We’re delighted to announce Firefly Orthoses have sponsored the most recent edition of the podcast (session 18) which features an extensive interview with consultant sports podiatrist Ian Griffiths.

Ian discusses, amongst other topics:

  • the challenges of defining over pronation and the associated models of assessment and treatment,
  • the parameters of normality/normalising foot posture,
  • the challenges of applying the Foot Posture Index,
  • The ‘Old 3 Step Model’ Vs the Tissue Stress Approach,
  • the role of orthoses in kinetics and load management,
  • how to appraoch the patient who believes pronation is a causative factor in their problem?
  • If not pronation then what should we use instead? Danny Dyer’s Chocolate Homunculus.

The podcast is available to listen to from the following sources.

ITunes:
https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-physio-matters-podcast/id785762010

Chews Health:
http://chewshealth.co.uk/the-physio-matters-podcast/

YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCwLYLuv_60lw9vRfW7hj6w

We hope you enjoy.

Firefly Orthoses is Going Social

We’re embracing social media here at Firefly and we’d encourage you to ‘follow’, ‘like’ and ‘share’ with us across our various platforms. We’ll be posting news regularly on our website about our products, events and related topics. You can interact with us, posting questions, queries and comments about Firefly and our services to our various social media accounts. We’re always eager to hear your opinions.

We’ll endeavour to provide you with informative content, relevant to the Podiatric profession. We’re always exploring new technologies and techniques that will enhance your ability to meet the needs of your patients.

See our recent news item where Firefly’s medical director Martin Mc Geough demonstrated Sharp Shape’s 3D scanning technology in a clinic environment.

Follow the links below to view our social media accounts.

Firefly Orthoses on Facebook

Firefly Orthoses on LinkedIn

Firefly on Twitter 

Podiatric 3D Scanning Demonstration

We’ve packaged two videos of Firefly’s medical director Martin Mc Geough demonstrating how accessible and hassle-free scanning equipment is to use in the podiatry clinic environment.

Firefly supply and lease both vertical and horizontal 3D scanners to practitioners across the UK and Ireland. We provide full training in the use of the technology and in the processing of the resulting data.

Register your interest in ordering your scanner with Firefly today by emailing [email protected] or by phone on 00353 71 914 94 94.

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