All posts by welter

3D Training

3DMaterial

In June 2022, Samuel and Christoph attended a training course in 3D scanning and manufacturing at B-O-S-S (Bildungszentrum Orthopädie-Schuhtechnik) giving a better understanding of this new Technology and of what is available in the field of orthotics and orthopedic footwear.

While this Techology is still in development stage, there is a feeling of excitement as to where this might lead with a view to enhancing our current products, being mindful at all times of the needs of Welters’s customers.

 

New location in Naas

After 5 years in the M7 Business Park, Naas, we moved with our business to the Ladytown Busniess Park in Naas.

In our premises in the Ladytown Business Park (formerly known as Toughers Business Park) we have more space for our clinics to see our customers and more space for our prduction area.

Our new address is
Unit W3G, Ladytown Business Park
Ladytown
Naas, Co. Kildare
W91 H9K3

Unchanged Phone Number
+353 (0)45 866 887

Unchanged Email
contact@welters.ie

 

 

Our clinic in Naas is open

Building in Naas

We are all in this together.

  • If you are a Frontline Workers e.g. nurse, doctor, gardai, care worker or are social distancing, exercising and experiencing discomfort/pain in your feet/hips/back
  • Based in county Kildare
  • Have a prescription

Then we can help you and have a solution with a quick turnaround!

Social distance restrictions are in place

  • Clinic is by apointments only
  • Hygiene rules applied after each visit
  • Wait in our parking spaces

Unit A4, M7 Business Park
Newhall
Naas, Co. Kildare
W91 V320

Give us a ring to 045 866 887

NEWS 2020

As we look over the horizon to the New Year 2020 we would like to thank you for providing us the opportunity to serve you and we promise to make your experience a satisfying and enriching one in the coming year.

Samuel and Christoph Welter, Liz Dunbar and all the Team

WCB 2018

WCB2018 Welters

Welter’s Personalised Footwear Ltd. exhibited at the WCB 2018 in Dublin Convention Centre July 8th to 12th inclusive

Great discussions

Under the bright lights of the Dublin Convention Centre we spent a week talking and listening to like-minded biomechanical specialists. We engaged with Eng. Sofia Scataglini PhD, Royal Military Academy Belgium who endorsed our work. Our recommendations and observations for enhancing Military personnel workwear have impressed her.

We also engaged with a biomechanical engineer based in Oxford University. She has undertaken a major study on the members of the British Navy Forces. They want to understand how the correct footwear with orthotics can affect the wellbeing of personnel.

Learning 

Their and Sam’s conclusion were, if there is some limited range of movement in any of the joints of the feet, the wearer must have at the very least customised orthotic insoles. The best solution is customised orthotic insoles with appropriate adjustments to the issued/uniform shoes to maintain correct alignment and easier mobility.

Based on this we are looking forward to work with Biomechanical Engineers to develop more supportive and comfortable footwear.

Demonstration

While at the Congress we managed to demonstrate our skills in the real understanding of static & dynamic to representatives from Mc Gill University, Montreal and Stanford University, U.S.A.

We have agreed to hand make some customised orthotic insoles for these people and these will be winging their way across the seas shortly with a report/update to follow.

About the WCB

The World Congress of Biomechanics is held once every 4 years and is the premier meeting worldwide in its field.The main international biomechanics societies will fold their 2018 annual meetings into the 2018 World Congress. Hence we met many biomechanical specialists at the congress.

The field of biomechanics sits at the interface of engineering and medicine and research in the field. This has revolutionised medicine, particularly in the area of medical devices. Ireland’s medical technology sector has evolved into one of the leading clusters globally. The congress aims to enhance links between the clinical and academic research community and industry in the medical technology sector.

Thanks

The way this congress was conducted deserves the recognition and appreciation of Welter’s Personalised Footwear. Thanks to Mary-Rose and her colleagues in Keynote PCO and to the staff at the Dublin Convention Centre. It was a showcase for what Ireland Inc can do and a credit to all involved.

Diabetic Foot and Footwear

Diabetic Footwear

Do people with Diabetes have to wear special shoes?

The answer is a simple : YES 

The reason to wear special shoes

People with diabetes may develop “Peripheral Neuropathy” in the feet (can also appear in the hands), due to high blood sugar levels. As mentioned in a previous article this may bring about nerve damage which can desensitise the feet in some areas and heighten sensitivity in other areas. Remember numb toes can’t talk and no message goes to the brain alerting the owner that blisters or hot spots are developing. Blisters or hot spots can lead to ulcers and in worse case scenarios may lead to amputations.

The special with this shoes

Special shoes in the sense that they must support the arches, ankles and heels.

They must
– be seam free to avoid rubbing
– have a higher toe box and give wiggle room to the toes
– be made from suitable materials

So while the shoes may not be the most fashionable they will be the most suitable. We will endeavour to accommodate requests regarding styles, depending on the condition of the feet as presented.

How to get suitable diabetic footwear

Following a full examination of the feet, a biomechanical analysis of pelvic and hip control, gait analysis and a foot pressure scan, we will advise on the best style of shoes. In all cases you will require special made to measure orthotics. The shoes may be modular shoes or made to measure bespoke shoes. That choice is at the discretion of the wearer, in all cases.

We will ensure that the shoes are the correct fit.
The orthotics are custom made, the materials used are best suited.
The overall combination will result in the best product, to assist in you maintaining your mobility.

For further information please contact : contact@pedorthist.ie or
01 4434409/045 866887

Diabetic Foot–Please Act Now

diabetes headline

Diabetic foot disease is one of the most common, serious, feared and costly complications of diabetes. People with diabetes are at a 15 to 40 fold higher risk of a lower limb amputation than a non-diabetic person. 80% of lower limb amputations in diabetes are preceded by the development of a foot ulcer. It is estimated that the annual incidence of lower limb ulceration in people with diabetes varies between 2.2% to 7%. Diabetic foot disease is costly, with people frequently requiring admission to hospital, investigations, surgery and a prolonged hospital stay.

In order to look after your feet, you should follow these general rules:

  • Nail Care – check up with chiropodist monthly.
  • Footwear well fitting.
  • Daily self-examination of the feet checking for changes or breaks in the skin.
  • Never ever walk inside/outside in bare feet
  • Checking your footwear and socks/hosiery before putting them on to ensure all is in good order.
  • Check bath and shower temperatures to avoid scalding.
  • Avoid home remedies e.g. corn plasters etc

As diabetes develops our feet become less sensitive. One may be inclined to wear tight fitting shoes, but this is never a good idea. Never buy off the shelf shoes with the thinking you will “break them in”.

Remember : Improper or poorly fitting shoes are major contributors to diabetes foot ulcerations.

If your are in any doubt, please do not hesitate to contact us at 01 443 4409 to book an appointment – do not use that old Irish euphemism, “it will be grand”

What we will do

  • Check/Examine the feet We will check the feet for sensitivity, note any forms of structural foot deformity e.g Bunions, Toe deformities e.g. clawing toes, crossover toes, hammer toes, High Arch foot or Char cot Foot
  • Recommend/Supply the correct footwear specific to diabetes ensuring the correct size and shape to wear to suit your feet
  • Make alterations to accommodate deformities if necessary
  • Fit the correct orthotics to suit your feet and the shoes. Offloading in the event of current or previous ulcerations.
  • In the event that your foot is in the High Risk Zone we would refer you back to your Endcrinologist for their opinion, before proceeding to make bespoke footwear with materials specially designed for the diabetic foot.

Additional information for diabetic foot:

HSE
Diabetes Ireland

Knee Symposium Belfast 2017

The Knee Symposium Belfast 2017

Saturday 23rd September, 2017, Samuel Welter and Liz Dunbar attended The Belfast Knee Symposium, not that there is such thing as a Belfast knee but that the symposium was held at the Crowne Plaza in Belfast, sponsored by Ossur.

Leading consultants and specialists in the field provided presentations and discussions covering all aspects from imaging to operating on knees, busted knees, old knees, replacement knees etc to an a well attended audience of Physio’s and G.P.’s

Main speakers Mr. Mihai Vioreanu and Dr. Barry Sheane – Dublin, Mr Pooler Archbold and Mr. Noel Napier – Belfast

Painful Knees — The overriding message is – Prevention is better than Cure.

Avoid Surgery ….. Prevention

Surgery on the knees can mean you are off your feet for 12 weeks and even with that there is no guarantee that you will be as active as you were again. So damage to the meniscus or the cartilage, is to be avoided if at all possible. Apart from serious sports injuries and RTA’s, knees hitting the dashboards, damage to the knee is mostly brought about by wear and tear/degeneration presenting itself as a painful knee causing difficulty walking.

Cure …..

If painful knee causing difficulty walking is the case, please contact your G.P, or Physio for a referral letter and make an appointment at Welters to meet Samuel, with a view to having correctional orthopaedic insoles fitted. We guarantee that they will be made to measure and fitted to your shoes. It may be necessary to have two pairs of insoles one for your everyday shoes and one for your exercise shoes.

Once the insoles are fitted correctly they will assist you in relieving the pain in the knee, reduce pain relieving medication, improve your gait, allowing you to increase your daily exercise It is advisable to stick to cycling, swimming and/or brisk walking. This will also reduce your waist line. Its a win win.

However if you have to have surgery …

Locate the best orthopaedic knee specialist through your G.P.

New Knee, back on your feet after 12 weeks, and having followed the procedures laid down by the specialists. What next …..

Important Notice

In order to maintain the achieved improvement in the knee it is also necessary to wear orthopaedic insoles.

Where surgery is not possible there may be other options e;g. Shoe adjustments – combination of a lateral wedge and a soft heel strike.

For more details contact@pedorthist.ie