Book Review by Greg Wolfe:

Dr. Michaud’s original book on “Foot Orthoses and Other Forms of Conservative Foot Care” is a complete text on the foundation, rational and application of orthotic therapy. It includes surveys of complementary modalities and treatment regimens that will assist in implementing foot orthoses successfully.

He begins where a good analytical text on foot function would, by describing the basic anatomy. He proceeds to both textually and graphically explain interrelationships between joint axes within the foot, while effectively highlighting those segments that are critical to mechanical efficiency during human gait. Corresponding muscle actions are also clearly delineated for the gait student.

Dr. Michaud then proceeds up the kinetic chain to describe how certain mal-alignments, pathological segmental movements and joint moments interact within the foot and will influence larger segments in the leg, knee, hip, pelvis and low back.

Comprehensive examination protocols are described, with detailed explanations for implications in function. Both global and minute observations are shown with all the intricacy required to determine when discrepancies are insignificant or require intervention.

The later chapters have thorough descriptions on preparation for positive mold processing, thermoplastic shell configurations and component applications used in orthotic fabrication.

Dr. Michaud concludes with more nuanced applications involving specific sports and other activities commonly seen by orthotic practitioners. Shoe construction and the affect it has on orthotic applications are also presented.

Without a doubt, the most significant contribution Dr. Machaud makes for the observer is an exhaustive display of illustrations he sketched himself, distributed throughout the whole book. His perspective on anatomical linkages, the interrelationships of movements and forces on the kinetic chain, along with his unique ability to highlight those areas of concern during lower extremity function is unmatched in any other compilation of diagrams thus far. Many of today’s texts are complete with picture illustrations. His view of the way orthotic therapy affects human gait is truly unique in its visual display of segmental specificity coupled with global integration.