A pilot study in an NHS community podiatry service found that the use of TalarMade’s KinetiX™ insoles led to dramatically better recovery rates for common foot and ankle conditions, while saving time and money for the health service.
The research, carried out in Merseycare NHS Foundation Trust, compared three KinetiX™ insoles each designed for a specific condition, against the currently prescribed insoles (control) for three commonly occurring conditions and their impact over an 8-week period. Patients with plantar fasciopathy, Achilles tendinopathy, or posterior tibial dysfunction who received KinetiX™ devices reported 70%-95% symptom improvement, compared to just 25-46% improvement with the insoles historically provided by the service.
The KinetiX™ range consists of Prescription-specific models, each engineered to target specific Kinetic parameters to address foot or ankle conditions. The pilot study used KinetiX™ models A, B & C and compared them to the existing orthoses they use:
- KinetiX™ A: For Tibialis Posterior Dysfunction, using prescription features affecting early stance phase – medial heel skive, heel raise, and increased medial rearfoot wedge.
- KinetiX™ B: For Achilles Tendinopathy, offering features affecting eccentric loading of the Achilles Tendon in stance phase
- KinetiX™ C: For Plantar Fasciopathy, offering features combining medial rearfoot and lateral forefoot wedges to reduce fascia strain.
Timothy Caslake led the evaluation with Tony Johnson, both of whom are MSK Podiatrists. “These results are very encouraging. By tailoring the device design to each diagnosis, we’re seeing faster recovery, fewer clinic visits, and better use of NHS resources,” said Timothy.
Key findings include:
- Fewer follow-ups: Many patients using KinetiX™ devices required no further appointments after the initial fitting.
- Significant cost savings: Reducing follow-ups could save the NHS an estimated £80-£120 per patient episode, freeing up capacity in overstretched clinics.
- Faster return to normal activities: Patients reported quicker relief and improved mobility, cutting time off work and improving quality of life.
The KinetiX™ range uses injection-moulded polyurethane in three hardness options, offering consistent hardness, durability, and comfort while being cost-effective for large-scale NHS use.
This pilot study shows that condition-specific, polyurethane-moulded prefabricated orthoses like KinetiX™ A-C are clinically superior to generic devices. Their targeted biomechanical design and reduced demand for follow-up make them ideal for high volume NHS settings under pressure.
Francis Barrett, Commercial Director at TalarMade, said: “The results from this study are pleasing to read but not a surprise. This proves concept and that we know KinetiX™ works! We designed the range to deliver multiple efficiencies and improve patient experiences and outcomes.”
