Medical Care at the Special Olympics

Podiatrists may play an important role within the coverage during a variety of sports events, principally at fitness events just like the marathon where the feet are put through plenty of force. Blisters and some other injuries are frequent in these kinds of activities. The latest episode of the podiatry livestream, PodChatLive spoke of the role of podiatry at various kinds of sports activities. The guest who the hosts spoke with in that episode was Mandy Abbott who is a lecturer in podiatry at Glasgow Caledonian University in Scotland, UK. She is also the Clinical Director for the Special Olympics Great Britain and was Lead Podiatrist for the Commonwealth Games in 2014, the European Games in 2015 as well as the World Indoor Athletics in 2018. These positions gave her a really unique insight into the part that podiatry can play in providing services at these kinds of sport events. The episode discussed regarding how better to prepare yourself to be part of a multidisciplinary group with these big games or events. It is important to recognize acute injury’s management and be very skilful at strapping solutions. Mandy provided observations into the actual sort of things that Podiatry tends to manage at these kinds of gatherings, and also the personal/professional value in doing this kind of activities.

Mandy Abbott’s major interests are in sports injuries and also lower limb biomechanics. Mandy works together a lot of sports specialists such as a number of football squads. In the position being a Clinical Director for Special Olympics, Mandy has become involved in national and world events and has been able to include podiatry students in foot assessment of athletes with intellectual disabilities. Mandy's research pursuits are in the effects of foot orthotics on human movement. Mandy has been honored her Fellowship of the College of Podiatrists in Podiatric Medicine from the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists.