For years we have been trying to educate patients on the damages improper shoewear can cause. Now, thanks to a newly developed 3-D scanner from the UK called the PedCAT, the detrimental affects of poor shoes can be clearly visualized. The PedCAT machine, the first of its kind from the UK, does a 360-degree scan of the patient's feet in just 60 seconds. Podiatrists can then view the resultant 3D image from every angle, spinning it around to view the foot from above, below and the side. It also takes 600 2D views of the foot.

The image allows the podiatrist to see 3-D scans of the foot in the position the foot normal functions.  These 3-D images allows the Podiatrist to make accurate diagnosis. X-rays can often be confusing because the image is one dimensional and there is a lot of superimposition of the bones. However, the price has made this machine a  luxury that most doctor's office cannot afford, with a price tag well over $300,000. With the advances in technology it may not be long until this becomes a cost effective reality.

Dr. Alexandra "Sandie" Grulke
Dr. Brad Jacobs

http://www.podiatrycarespecialists.com/