Georgie Hermitage made a surprise visit into clinic today with her 6-year old daughter Tilly. We thought she had already flown to Rio in preparation of the Paralympic Games! She doesn’t actually fly out until Thursday 25th, then spends the best part of a month away. We were delighted to see her to catch up on her progress, as we had previously heard she had experienced a major set- back.
An intrinsic weakness with the left foot 2nd metatarsal, had hindered her progress. Fluid had collected around an old stress fracture. This meant 4 weeks off track, low impact training only. To encourage and promote accelerated healing Georgie used a bone stimulator, and the Erchonia XLR8 low level laser. A bone growth stimulator uses pulsed waves of ultrasound in an effort to get stress fractures to heal more rapidly. The Erchonia XLR8 laser initiated healing responses and reduced pain. The XLR8 is the ‘smart phone’ of 3LT lasers. It has been programmed with various treatment settings to:
- Increase healthy tissue regeneration
- Increase metabolic activity to increase oxygen in the blood
- Stimulate anti-inflammatory action to reduce swelling, inflammation and decrease pain
- Increase vascular activity for optimal tissue regeneration and activity
This hi-tech dual approach has literally put Georgie back on track as a main contender in her quest for gold at the Rio Paralympics. It would be interesting to know whether the application of XLR8’s 635nm diodes would accelerate the healing on its own with or without the bone stimulator? What I do know is having documented Georgie’s progress throughout her training programme for the games, is that by regular application of the XLR8 after a heavy training session on fatigued muscles and stressed joints, her recovery has been quick. Prior to using the XLR8 she complained of various musculo-skeletal niggles. Since using the XLR8 these have abated, she has been niggle free, for all the benefits of low level laser therapy application listed above.
The problems with the left foot are as a direct consequence of the cerebral palsy. Georgie has a left sided weakness, with an equino-varus deformity of the foot, meaning in layman terms the foot is positioned more or less as if it is in a high heeled shoe, whilst the right foot’s arches flatten out to lower the foot. Imagine trying to run with 1 stiletto on!!
The human foot has several arches: lateral, medial and transverse, and it is Georgie’s transverse arch that is high. This is the small domed arch in the forefoot, or the plantar metatarsal area to be correct. The second metatarsal is elevated higher than normal, which is what puts it under stress as it tries to make ground contact when Georgie needs to spring forward.
The issue of Firefly prescription orthotics helps considerably, as does directly placed soft felt along the 2nd metatarsal, but when an athlete pushes herself to be at peak performance level, structural weakness become compounded. Along with my podiatry input, Georgie also has the amazing input of HIPAC, the High Performance Assessment Camp at Loughborough.
So how was Georgie feeling? A mixture of trepidation and nerves? She quite openly expressed how ‘nervous’ she felt, and how difficult it would be as a mother to leave Tilly for a period of 4 weeks.
“I can’t do the goodbyes……mummy just disappears”
Tilly seemed blissfully unaware of any impending departure, happily throwing her toy bunny ‘Busty’ into the air. Little does she know mummy could be making history very soon! Whatever Georgie achieves in Rio we have been so very proud to sponsor her, and know she will put in her very best performance. She has overcome so many obstacles to be at the top of her game.
Unfortunately RULE 40 prevents me from disclosing anymore about Georgie’s progress after 20th August. Big Brother at a certain sportswear company will be watching out!
I do recommend catching up with Georgie on a recently featured Channel 4 ‘Dare to Believe’ production: http://www.channel4.com/search?q=dare+to+believe+georgie+hermitage
She will also be featured in the Sunday Sun Fabulous supplement 28th August, apparently looking very glam. Alton’s very own pin-up girl!
