Expert: Dr. Bruce Forciea - 2/4/2009

Question
Hi!

I have bowed legs (genu varum), with knees that are not touching, and that are pointing inwards instead of straight forward (when standing with my feet together and toes pointing straight forward. When standing so that my knees are pointing straight forward, my feet/toes point away from each other). I also have slight pronation (but looks like supination, because of the bowed legs),,

Will my feet and knee/ankel alignment affect how the blades should be mounted on the boots, or should all blades be mounted the same way, whatever the foot alignment..??

In my case; What blade alignment would be the best choise..??

If blades are not mounted correctly and even, or if blade placement differ slightly between the left and right boot, will this affect skating..??


Sincerely
Angelica


Answer
Hi Angelica:

There are a couple of different ways to accommodate genu varum. Typically the weight moves to the outside of the blade but this depends on the skater and the extend of the problem. One thing I have done in the past is to fit the skater with an orthotic that fits in the skating boot. This helps to produce a normal balance on the sole of the skate so that the blades can be mounted as normal. The other potential fix is to mount the blades slightly to the outside of normal. Years ago I was a skate technician and used to "fiddle" with these mountings quite a bit with some skaters to get it right. Sometimes I would stand rinkside and watch the skater skate with a temporary mounting adjusting it as I saw fit until it was right.

When I went into practice I tended to use more orthotics. Sometimes you need to "fiddle" with these as well and send them back repeated times until they are just right.

Sounds like you need someone to work with you on this such as a really good skate technician or coach who mounts skates.

I wish you the best in resolving your problem...

Bruce

Visit our free site for lots of information:

www.informationalhealing.com