If you’re an orthotist, prosthetist or pedorthists who treats patients with partial foot amputations, there’s a new article in the November 2010 issue of Lower Extremity Review that’s well worth your time.

In the article, Partial foot amputation: Pedorthic management, Erick Janisse, CPed, CO and Dennis Janisse, CPed – both of National Pedorthic Services Inc. (Milwaukee, WI USA), discuss the importance of pressure and shear management techniques in the selection and fitting of shoes and orthotic devices.

In recent literature, including the Janisse article, shear trauma is considered as an increasingly important component of blister, callus and diabetic foot ulcer occurrence. Whereas pressure management was the foremost concern just 5-10 years ago, practitioners are realizing that pressure is not the only factor. Repetitive shear stress, acting between bony prominences, the skin and interfacing material, is in fact critically important in the prevention and relief of foot wounds. Products like ShearBan^® by Tamarack Habilitation Technologies are receiving newfound attention as practitioners and patients search for an effective way to protect skin from shear trauma within footwear.