Overview
After a motorcycle accident, this Claimant was left struggling to walk very far. Following a skilled and caring assessment, Scott Frame made recommendations that will help this Claimant to have lifelong support that improves his wellbeing. Read about Scott’s approach below.
Instruction requirements
Condition and prognosis to:
- Report on any pre-accident orthotic needs, injuries sustained and any other orthotic treatment received.
- Recommend future orthotic management required by the Claimant and future costs of these on the basis it will be funded privately.
Background
The Claimant, a gentleman in his early fifties, was an experienced and daily motorcycle rider. His wife was riding pillion when a car exited a driveway into the path of the Claimant, resulting in a side-on impact. This accident caused multiple-level fracture injuries, in particular to his left lower limb, including an unstable Lisfranc fracture.
Since the accident, the Claimant has not returned to motorcycling, is no longer able to take part in hobbies or leisure activities, and struggles with walking due to left foot pain. He has to use walking sticks for any distances beyond half a mile and to help with balance on uneven surfaces.
Scott Frame’s assessment findings
- The Claimant presented with an asymmetrical foot posture; the left exhibiting more pronation (lower arched) than the right. Due to structural collapse of the Claimant’s ‘mid-foot’, as a result of the Lisfranc injury, there is an increase in length of the injured foot which now requires the Claimant to source split sized footwear to accommodate the discrepancy.
- The Claimant had been successfully fitted and trialled custom-moulded insoles on a private basis.
- It is felt that the current issues experienced will not resolve at this stage of rehabilitation, therefore it should be expected that the orthotic prescription will be required lifelong.
Scott Frame’s recommendations
The goals of treatment were to manage symptoms and improve efficiency of the injured left foot.
- Custom-made prescription insoles – Due to the proportions of the Claimant’s feet, degree of correction required, footwear range and reported activity level it was recommended he be supplied with three pairs of insoles initially, half-life repair and full replacement every 36 months.
- Split-sized retail footwear – The Claimant had evidenced good use of split-sized footwear; having to purchase two pairs of different-sized footwear and disposing of the non-required shoe e.g. right: size 10 and left: size 9. A costing allowance was recommended to enable the Claimant to source the split-sized footwear, ensure they were of appropriate quality to manage his foot issues and allow for the volume of the insoles.
- On-going clinical review – an averaged annual review allowance was recommended to ensure the Claimant could return to ensure the prescription remained appropriate for his clinical needs or could be refurbished or renewed as necessary.
Costs
As a rough guide, the costings for the recommendations made within this case were:
Initial provision: £950–£1,500
Annualised: £500–£1,000
Life expectancy: Full (in early fifties at time of report)
