Seven years ago, Patrick A. DeHeer, DPM was suffering from posterior tibial tendonitis. He tried everything in the book to alleviate the pain, including a night splint. One night he woke up (in his night splint) and realized that it was not working because his knee had been bent all night while he was sleeping on his side. He knew the biomechanics of his symptoms were rooted in a tight gastrocnemius muscle. So…

He searched online and called all of his vendors to find a product that would actually help him achieve a gastroc stretch. NOTHING. Since then, educating on and finding a solution to equinus deformity has been Dr. DeHeer’s obsession.

It took almost 5 years of researching, designing, going back and forth with Medicare, and RE-DESIGNING to get the self funded product to market.

” We are very proud to provide the only device that effectively stretches the gastroc-soleus complex in a 1 hr. per day, 12 week treatment. ”
– Dr. Patrick DeHeer

Over the last several years, Dr. DeHeer has become a leading voice in podiatric medicine. Below is a sample of the many lectures that he has conducted including links to his introductory series on Equinus Deformity.

Introduction to the Equinus Deformity - Video Series with Dr. Patrick DeHeer, DPM

• Equinus - The Basics
• Equinus - Biomechanics
• Equinus - Non Surgical Management
• Equinus - The Role in the Athlete

Dr. DeHeer's Lecture Series

 Lectures Available:

• Equinus – The Basics. Discusses the definition, evaluation, associated conditions, classification and literature review of these components of Equinus deformity. Estimated time 20 minutes.

• Equinus – Biomechanics. The complexities of the biomechanics of Equinus are discussed and used to help explain the role of Equinus in foot pathomechanics by reviewing the literature. Estimated time 20 minutes.

• Equinus – Non-Surgical Treatment. Review of the literature to discuss what is stretching with non-surgical treatment, how to stretch, the role of the subtalar joint in stretching, manual stretching vs. brace stretching and the use a new method for stretching. Estimated time 20 minutes.

• Equinus – In the Athlete. Review of the role of equinus in the athlete defining the condition, examining prevalence, examination of non-surgical treatment, and specifically the role of equinus in elite athletes. Estimated time 20 minutes. 

• Surgical Treatment of Equinus Deformity – Examines the different options of surgical treatment of equinus deformity with a literature review and recommendation of preferred choice. Estimated time 20 minutes.

• Equinus Management for Improved Orthotic Outcomes – This lecture examines the definition of equinus, the frequency of equinus, pathological conditions associated with equinus, the biomechanics of the medial arch, the biomechanics of equinus, the effects of static stretching on the muscle-tendon unit, how long Achilles tendon stretching should be done daily, the effect of stretching on ankle joint range of motion, the importance of subtalar position during stretching, the methods of stretching the Achilles tendon, unilateral vs. bilateral stretching, relationship between orthotic correction and equinus deformation, the role of shoe drop in equinus management. Estimated time 45 minutes. 

• Equinus in the Pediatric Patient – This lecture examines the definition of equinus, the frequency of equinus, pathological conditions associated with equinus, the biomechanics of the medial arch, the biomechanics of equinus, the effects of static stretching on the muscle-tendon unit, how long Achilles tendon stretching should be done daily, the effect of stretching on ankle joint range of motion, the importance of subtalar position during stretching, the methods of stretching the Achilles tendon, unilateral vs. bilateral stretching, examines the different options of surgical treatment of equinus deformity with a literature review and recommendation of preferred choice. Estimated time 45 minutes.

Past Lectures

• 5th Annual Sports Medicine Conference & Clinic (Columbus, OH) – August 11, 2018
• Ontario Society of Chiropodists Spring Annual Conference (Markham, ON, Canada) – May 4-5, 2018
• Kentucky Podiatric Medical Association Annual Scientific Conference (Louisville, KY) – April 20-22, 2018
• MsPMA Annual Spring Conference (Natchez, MS) – April 6-9, 2018
• North Central Academy of Podiatric Medicine No-Nonsense Seminar (Independence, OH) – March 9-11, 2018
• 21st Annual Georgia Summit (Atlanta, GA) – February 21-24, 2018
• Michigan Podiatric Association’s 2018 Great Lakes Conference (Dearborn, MI) – January 24-28, 2018
• Biomechanics & Equinus Master Classic (Orlando, FL) – December 1-2, 2017
• Goldfarb Clinical Conference (Camp Hill, PA) – November 9-12, 2017
• KCF Fundraiser (Florida) – October 25-29, 2017
• New Mexico Podiatric Medical Association Meeting (Albuquerque, NM) – October 6-8, 2017
• IPMA Annual Convention (Indianapolis, IN) – October 5-8, 2017
• ACFAP Podopediatrics Seminar (Bar Harbor, ME) – June 7-11, 2017
• Midwest Podiatry Conference (Chicago, IL) – April 27-30, 2017
• KPMA Meeting (Lexington, KY) – April 21-23, 2017
• GPMA Annual Summit (Atlanta, GA) – February 15-18, 2017
• Midwinter Seminar (RFUSM North Chicago, IL) – January 20-21, 2017
• FPMA SAM Meeting – January 18-22, 2017
• NCFAS Annual Meeting (Greensboro, NC) – January 12-15, 2017
• Goldfarb Meeting (Annapolis, MD) – December 2-4, 2016
• Indiana Podiatric Medical Association Annual Fall Convention (Indianapolis, IN) – October 20-23, 2016
• Wisconsin Podiatric Medical Association Annual Scientific & Membership Meeting (Wisconsin Dells, WI) – September 30-October 1, 2016
• Heartland Foot & Ankle Conference (Des Moines, IA) – September 28-29, 2016
• Virgina Podiatric Medical Association Summer Scientific Seminar (Virginia Beach, VA) – August 18-21, 2016
• Presence St. Joseph Hospital (Chicago, IL) – August 17, 2016
• Surgical Management of Equinus – International Federation of Podiatrists World Congress, Montreal, Canada – 2016
• Equinus Management for Better Orthotic Outcomes – International Federation of Podiatrists World Congress, Montreal, Canada – 2016.
• Equinus Management for Better Orthotic Outcomes – Kentucky Podiatric Medical Association, French Lick, IN – 2016.
• Equinus in the Pediatric Patient – American College of Foot and Ankle Pediatrics 2^nd Annual Pediatric Foot & Ankle Seminar – Yosemite, CA – 2016.
• Equinus Management for Better Orthotic Outcomes – Great Lakes Conference Michigan Podiatric Medical Association – Dearborn, MI – 2016.