Lesson 1Comprehensive subjective history: pain characteristics, occupational demands, running history, footwear, past injuries, prior treatments, red flagsGuides on gathering a detailed patient history for foot and knee pain, including pain patterns, work and sports activities, shoes, training intensity, previous injuries and treatments, plus red-flag queries to direct the physical exam.
Clarifying pain onset, pattern, and irritabilityOccupational and daily load profilingRunning and sport training historyFootwear, surfaces, and equipment reviewPrevious injuries, treatments, and red flagsLesson 2Strength and flexibility testing: hip abductors/extensors, quadriceps, hamstrings, calf complex, intrinsic foot muscle testingExplains testing for strength and flexibility in hip, knee, and foot areas, covering abductors, extensors, quads, hamstrings, calves, and foot intrinsics, and connects weaknesses to load distribution, injury risks, and orthotic requirements.
Hip abductor and extensor strength testsQuadriceps and hamstring strength checksCalf complex strength and endurance testsIntrinsic foot muscle function testsKey flexibility tests for lower limbLesson 3How assessment findings guide orthotic decisions: linking pronation/supination, alignment, mobility and symptom drivers to orthotic featuresShows how to analyse exam results to inform orthotic choices, connecting pronation or supination, body alignment, joint movement, and pain causes to insole designs, posting methods, and material selections tailored to each patient.
Mapping impairments to orthotic goalsChoosing rearfoot and forefoot postingManaging mobility with shell stiffnessPressure redistribution and offloadingIterative orthotic adjustment over timeLesson 4Postural and lower-limb alignment assessment: static standing, weight-bearing symmetry, tibial torsion, Q-angle, pelvic heightDiscusses observing posture and leg alignment while standing, including balance under weight, tibial twist, Q-angle, and pelvis levels, and relates these to load patterns and planning for orthotic interventions.
Static standing observation checklistWeight-bearing symmetry and shift patternsMeasuring Q-angle and tibial torsionPelvic height, tilt, and leg length cluesRelating alignment to pain mechanismsLesson 5Ankle ligament and stability tests: anterior drawer, talar tilt, inversion stress, proprioception assessmentsCovers essential ankle stability tests like anterior drawer, talar tilt, inversion stress, and balance sense checks, with tips on conducting, interpreting, and applying results to orthotic support and rehab strategies.
Anterior drawer test: setup and cuesTalar tilt and inversion stress testingHigh ankle sprain and syndesmosis checksProprioception and balance test optionsLinking instability to orthotic featuresLesson 6Functional and sport-specific tests: single-leg squat, step-down, hop tests, timed walk/run toleranceExamines practical and sport-related tests including single-leg squats, step-downs, hops, and timed walking or running, focusing on movement quality, stamina, and pain reactions to guide rehab phases and insole prescriptions.
Single-leg squat quality and controlStep-down and stair negotiation testsSingle-leg hop and triple hop optionsTimed walk and run tolerance testsUsing tests to guide return to sportLesson 7Gait and dynamic observations: barefoot and shod walking, running analysis, stride, cadence, rearfoot vs forefoot strikeEmphasises analysing walking and running barefoot or with shoes, looking at stride length, step rate, foot landing, and adjustments, to refine diagnoses and tailor orthotic insoles for various activity demands.
Barefoot versus shod gait comparisonStride length, cadence, and step widthRearfoot, midfoot, and forefoot strike patternsIdentifying dynamic valgus and trunk swayVideo-based gait analysis essentialsLesson 8Foot and ankle-specific tests: navicular drop, arch height index, arch mobility stiffness tests, talocrural joint mobilityOffers targeted foot and ankle assessments like navicular drop, arch height measurement, stiffness checks, and ankle joint range, detailing methods, accuracy, and impact on orthotic design decisions.
Navicular drop test: method and normsArch height index and arch profilingArch mobility and stiffness assessmentTalocrural joint mobility testingIntegrating measures into orthotic planningLesson 9Red flag and differential diagnosis screening: inflammatory, neurological, referred pain, systemic causesOutlines screening for serious issues and alternative diagnoses in foot and knee pain, covering inflammation, nerve problems, referred pain, and body-wide conditions, with advice on referrals, teamwork, or adjusting orthotic and exercise plans.
Key inflammatory and septic arthritis signsNeurological and radicular symptom patternsVascular, metabolic, and systemic indicatorsScreening questions that trigger referralDocumenting and communicating red flags
