FOOT AND LOWER EXTREMITY BIOMECHANICS II:
PRECISION INTRICAST NEWSLETTERS, 1997-2002.
Kevin A. Kirby, DPM, MS

Dr. Kirby’s first volume of clinical biomechanics newsletters published in 1997 was heralded in one review published in the Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association (1998) as “…the most sophisticated, clinically practical and informative book on lower-extremity biomechanics to be published in several years”. Volume II does not disappoint and lives up to the abovementioned statement made about its predecessor.

Volume II preserves the form of the previous volume. It is a collection of 63 monthly newsletters written by the author over a period of five years for Precision Intricast Incorporated; an American foot orthosis laboratory based in Payson, Arizona. The newsletters are thematically divided into fifteen chapters and are of immense interest to all podiatrists; indeed, they are also of immense interest to all practitioners outside of podiatry who clinically treat musculoskeletal disorders of the foot and lower extremity. So as to give the prospective reader an impression of the wide-ranging coverage which Dr. Kirby gives to the art and practice of clinical podiatric biomechanics, the titles of the book’s fifteen chapters are listed as follows:

(1) Goals, history and definitions of foot orthoses; (2) Subtalar joint neutral versus tissue stress approach to mechanical foot therapy; (3) Subtalar joint axis mechanics and rotational equilibrium theory; (4) Foot orthosis design: biomechanics, troubleshooting and terminology; (5) Mechanical effects of forefoot valgus and rearfoot varus wedging; (6) One-axis versus the two-axis model of the midtarsal joint; (7) Lower extremity muscle function: biomechanics, physiology and effects on foot function; (8) Biomechanics, evaluation and treatment of posterior tibial dysfunction; (9) Plantar fasciitis and the biomechanics of the ligaments, tendons and the plantar fascia; (10) Biomechanics of foot and lower extremity deformities; (11) Biomechanics of balance; (12) Biomechanics of functional hallux limitus; (13) Clinical tests and techniques; (14) Biomechanics and orthosis treatment of cyclists; (15) Miscellaneous topics.

Dr. Kirby is to be congratulated on producing yet another truly outstanding addition to the literature base. When coupled with his first volume, this second volume forms a unique, comprehensive and invaluable corpus of information for the teacher and practitioner of clinical biomechanics.

The author’s clear writing style coupled with his excellent diagrams make for a stimulating learning experience. There is much benefit to be gained by the practitioner from reading every chapter. However, of special import to this reviewer are those chapters dealing with (a) the one-axis versus the two-axis model of the midtarsal joint, (b) lower extremity muscle function, (c) plantar fasciitis, (d) biomechanics of foot and lower extremity deformities and (e) biomechanics of functional hallux limitus; all of which approach their respective subjects with lucidity and comprehensiveness, thereby providing the reader with topics of absorbing interest.

If there is one negative comment which could be made of Kirby’s text, it is the fact that it has not been published in a ‘hard back cover’ format, which renders it less robust to constant use. This comment is made only because once this text has been purchased, it will certainly be subjected to constant use for the gems of information it possesses within its covers.

In the preface to the text, Kirby writes as follows: “…The purpose of publishing these collections of newsletters in book format is to provide clinicians and researchers with information that will allow them to develop a greater depth of knowledge regarding the intricacies of foot and lower extremity biomechanics and the evaluation and treatment of mechanically based foot and lower extremity pathology.” Volume II lives up to this statement and provides the practitioner with an excellent reference text. As such, this book should hold a prominent position on the ‘shopping list’ of every practitioner who treats patients with mechanically based foot and lower limb ailments. It can be ordered directly from Precision Intricast Incorporated either by post or over the Internet.