Screening Athletes' Feet at the Special Olympics

Dr. Patrick J. Nunan,

Senior Global Clinical Advisor of Fit Feet

Special Olympics, Healthy Athletes

 

The MatScan^® Barefoot System is Used to Screen Athletes' Potential Problem Areas

 

From Dr. Nunan:

 

"Fit Feet was founded in 2003 as part of the Healthy Athletes program of Special Olympics. Our mission is to screen athletes with intellectual disabilities for skin, nail, bone and gait abnormalities along with shoe/sock evaluations. The MatScan system was first used in 2004 as a quick screening method to show us potential problem areas due to increased pressure, off set center of force or other abnormalities. Once we have screened the athlete, we then try to get them into the health care system in their home area. "

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At several of our screenings, we have seen that 70% of the athletes would benefit from a functional foot orthotic. We have seen several cases of residual clubfoot causing pain and/or skin break down. The data from the MatScan has helped us in designing an orthotic along with a shoe for many of the athletes. Like much of the general population, we are seeing an increase in diabetes, thus the pressure data is important to help with prevention of ulcers. The new Sway Analysis Module will complement our current exam as many of our athletes have balance problems for various reasons.

 

Fit Feet currently has trained clinical directors in 38 states in the USA, 7 Canadian provinces, 18 countries in Europe, 5 countries in Latin America, 2 countries in Africa, 5 countries in Asia, Israel, Australia, New Zealand and India. We would like to thank Tekscan and their employees for their support of this world-wide program.

 

Typical Pressure Sensor Model Used for Foot Screening