My name is Sarah Johnson - I'm a podiatrist working at Forest Hill Practice - I have 20 years experience and at present I'm just completing my Masters in Podiatric Biomechanics.  I'm writing a blog to update you of new and interesting products / treatments available and any unusual or interesting topics or professional experiences I encounter.

"My Masters" A Monthly Account

The problems I'm facing with my research proposal.

I am writing a research proposal on the effects of toe props (digital orthoses), on the forces applied to the apices of toes whilst walking and comfort of the devices. This has ended up being far more complicated than first thought. I have been going around in circles to come up with the correct "research questions" which will enable me to analyse specific areas and then there are the hypotheses just to complicate matters further.  This is what I have come up with:  

Research Question:

Specific Research Questions:

• 1.  Do toe props reduce apical pressure?
• 2.  Is one type of toe prop better than the other at reducing the apical pressure?
• 3.  Is one type of toe prop more comfortable than the other?
• 4.  Which type of toe prop comes out on top when comparing (2 & 3) and therefore is comparably the most comfortable combined with apical pressure reducing abilities?

The Hypotheses:

• A) The treatment of a toe prop for clawed toes results in reduced pressure/time integral over the apices of toes.
• B) The firmest and highest style of toe prop is not as comfortable as the softer and flatter style of toe prop. (Leather toe props are the firmest, then silicone putty, hydrogel being the softest).

The Null Hypotheses:

• A) The treatment of a toe prop for clawed toes would not reduce the toe pressure/time integral over the apices of toes.
• B) The firmest and highest style of toe prop is just or more comfortable than the softer and flatter style of toe prop.