To make living with CMT disease more manageable, researchers focus on an area that can profoundly affect quality of life: feet. On the CMT 4 Me official podcast, hosts Chris and Liz O. guide an enlightening conversation with Dr. Greg Stilwell and Brandin Irwin that covers their innovative approach to studying the effects of CMT on an individual's feet and their strides in making footwear more comfortable and supportive through technology.
The Remarkable Power of Technology in Understanding CMT
A significant part of the discussion centers on how research around our feet – a critical aspect often overlooked in diseases like CMT - can improve the experience and comfort of those living with this disease. Dr. Greg Stilwell's team is beginning to use pressure plates that can chart a person's foot's unique dimensions and contours. This information is then generated into a 3D-printed model – essentially creating a custom arch support for better balance and comfort, thus helping to decrease pressure points and potential pain.
Dr. Stilwell envisions a future where an app on a smartphone could scan and capture a highly accurate 3D rendering of a person’s foot. This technology could enable progressive monitoring and help design custom foot supports for optimum comfort.
Understanding the Best Footwear for Individuals with CMT
It's not only about designing foot supports; the footwear choice also plays a critical role. Drawing a comparison to the popular Hokas brand of shoes and how Dr. Stilwell says its design supports foot drop, a symptom often present in CMT community members, the conversation provides an eye-opening realization about foot health when it comes to shoe choice.
Dr. Stilwell highlights how the tightness or slack of a shoe, often complicated by deformities or pressure points associated with the CMT foot, could affect comfort levels drastically. Finding the right balance between cushioning and stability in a shoe might seem daunting. Still, Dr. Stillwell believes that, when given proper footwear, quality of life will significantly improve for somebody who’s living with CMT.
The Future of CMT Management
Integrating technology with cutting-edge research, Dr. Greg Stilwell and Brandin Irwin's work offers hope for thousands of individuals living with CMT. As technology focuses on creating comforts tailored to individual needs, a better understanding of how CMT affects the feet could lead to footwear solutions that enhance mobility and quality of life.
It's this factor of empowerment through education that makes their work pivotal to influencing the future of CMT management. With continuous research on foot health and advanced technology, those living with CMT may soon enjoy the solace of a perfect fit – literally under their feet.
Dr. Greg Stilwell and Brandin Irwin's work emphasizes the importance of constant exploration, experimentation, and willingness to incorporate technology to improve the lives of those living with CMT. Their journey to find the perfect solution for CMT-affected feet is a testament to the resilience of individuals making remarkable strides in the face of adversity.
The 'power of the foot' in CMT management is just beginning to materialize. Each step in this journey contributes immensely to understanding and managing CMT better. Dr. Stilwell and Brandin are not just changing lives; they’re changing perceptions. With concerted efforts and cutting-edge technology, the fight against CMT is a step in the right direction –one foot at a time.
