Run3D clinic user of the Month

The Holly Private Hospital & City of London

Trevor Prior

The Run3D clinic user of the month is Trevor Prior, who has installed a Run3D system in The Holly Private Hospital in Essex, and at Premier Podiatry in the City of London.

About Trevor:

Trevor Prior is a well-known podiatrist in the UK with over 30 years of experience. He has worked with elite and professional sports men and women in a wide range of disiplines, including, football, rugby, cricket, hockey, and badminton. Trevor is also a consultant surgeon and has lectured extensively both locally and internationally. 

Areas of Speciality:

Foot surgery, sports injuries, biomechanics and gait analysis, orthoses, and diabetic foot complications 

Q&A with Trevor

1.  When did you first install Run3D in your clinic(s)?

I installed my first system at The Holly private hospital in Buckhurst Hill Essex, in the spring of 2013. I had seen the system online and realised for the first time that 3D kinematic analysis was an option in the clinical environment. As soon as I saw the system in action, I was convinced this was the next step forward for my clinical practice. Before long, I had installed one into our clinic in the city as well.

2. What type of gait analysis system did you use before Run3D?

My first gait analysis system was video analysis, which I set up in the early 90's. At this time, technology was somewhat different, and I had to use four security cameras, a quad splitter, and a video recorder that allowed freeze frame analysis. About 3-4 years later, I started using the Pedar in-shoe pressure analysis system.  This technology allowed us to assess function and design orthoses with much more objective data than we had been using. 

3. How has Run3D changed the way you manage your patients?

Run3D allows me to have a much more global assessment of my patients, and it means that we are able to evaluate the factors that contribute to function and potential injury. I thought I had a good knowledge of lower limb biomechanics, but this has been transformed since having access to this technology. 

There is a steep learning curve as we simply have not had this degree of objective information to analyse and apply. But now, I can assess the degree of symmetry, factors that may influence shock absorbency and power generation, lower limb control, ankle function, and gait parameters such as, step width and step length. As a result, we are able to give advice not only on footwear and orthoses, but more general factors including rehab targets and gait retraining. 

4. What type of patients do you see and what are the most common reasons for your clients to have a 3D gait analysis assessment in your clinics?

Because of the title, one might think that this is only suitable for runners/athletes. However, we use it for a wide range of patients. In fact, only today we assessed someone with a recent history of heel pain who had been referred for gait analysis. Using the Run3D system, we were able to identify areas of restriction, which were putting more load onto the foot. Not only did the results give us areas for her to target from a rehab perspective, but the general improvements in function, confirmation of the primary factors at the ankle, and a guide for footwear advice. 

Many of our patients have long-standing, complex problems. We have had several instances of athletes who are unable to run, with whom the analysis has helped identify the problem. By being able to advise the patient with confidence, devise an appropriate rehab retraining programme and monitor progress, they have been able to return to a high level of activity. In these instances, I do not believe I would have been able to make this diagnosis without the technology. 

A percentage of patients come for advice regarding orthoses and footwear, and the technology helps guide these decisions as well as allowing us to evaluate the effect of the intervention. My advice regarding footwear has changed considerably in the last few years and I recommend far less stability running shoes .

5. You've been involved in a lot of research in the past, do you have any projects on the go?

We currently have an intercalated BSc student analysing the effect of heel whip in a group of runners. Essentially, heel whip is felt to be a reflection of torsion within the lower limb, and we are looking to see if we can change how an orthoses is designed to reduce transverse plane friction. 

6. Do you have any lecturing events of conferences coming up this year?

I have a number of lecture commitments coming up over the next few months which include; Cyprus, India, and our National conference in Bournemouth. I also  recently have been invited to join the Salomon Think Tank, and I am looking forward to the first meeting at the New York Marathon in October where, another Run3D user Nick Knight, will also be attending. 

7. Lastly, What is your chosen sport? 

Although I have played a wide range of sports in the past, including rugby, my main sport now is golf. I have run for fitness, but at 6 foot 5, and with increasingly limited time, I cannot dedicate the time to address all of my mechanical issues which leaves me with a predisposition to injury. Had I been able to access this type of assessment when I was younger, perhaps I could have headed some of it at the pass. As it is, the knowledge I have gained from the technology and patient assessment has guided some of  my fitness training performance. I will minimise problems going forward and maybe eventually get my handicap reduced! 

To book a Run3D assessment at Trevor's clinics, see the information below:

The City of London - Monument

Mondays 8am to 6pm 

The Holly Private Hosptial

Tuesdays 8am - 1pm

Appointments can be booked by calling Premier Podiatry at 02085021777 

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