The /;oo/ ,19Y?) 2. X9

Manufacture and use of the functional foot orthosis

R. J. Anthony, Karger, Basle. 1991, 220 pages. Price f86.10

Mr Anthony has written a nice monograph on the manufacturing use of functional foot orthosis. Clearly aimed at the student audience but at 286.10 a little expensive for that market. The book provides a systematic, clearly thought out approach to orthotic prescription commencing with indications which deal with some of the biomechanical principles and then delves in great depth into the technique, in particular the principals of orthosis application. The later chap- ter concentrates on particular conditions and the book finishes with a useful problem solving section.

The author makes it clear that many of the ideas expressed are very much his own, although he clearly subscribes to the principles laid down by Route, which is a name well known within podiatric circles.

The descriptive aspects of the book are excellent and I would imagine that combined with a number of practical workshops under the expert eye of a tutor, then the student would gain tremendous insight by fabricating orthosis and at the same time studying the text. One of the few criticisms I have of this book is in the nature of the illustrations used to compliment

the excellent descriptions. These are line drawings rather than practical high quality photographs show- ing the various stages. In this situation a photograph complimented by a diagram is often most illuminat- ing. One of two of the diagrams using plastic orthosis being ground seems a little pointless and this was a singular disappointment in an otherwise very enjoy- able book.

Its aim is to provide standard methods for orthotic production utilizing the ideas and techniques of a well established podiatric expert. The book undoubt- edly succeeds. It also covers the conventional approach and particularly emphasizes the need to balance forefoot to hindfoot and vice versa. When planning any orthotic prescription the commonest breakdown in an orthosis is a failure to appreciate that both ends of the problem have to be addressed in one way or another.

In conclusion I recommend that this book finds its way into podiatric departmental libraries and indeed into orthopaedic departments. For the serious estab- lished foot specialist with a commitment to orthotics, the book would appear to be essential.

Although expensive, I am sure many students will buy this book and benefit from it.

David Rowley

Erratum

A study of the shock attenuating properties of materials used in chiropody

The Foot 1992; 2: 99-105

Julie Edwards now works for North Tyneside Area Health Authority, not Newcastle Area Health Auth- ority as listed in the above article.

229