Ep. 33 - Richard Blake, DPM, Sports Medicine/Biomechanics/AAPSM, All Things Podiatric Medicine

Dean's Chat host, Dr. Jeffrey Jensen, is joined by Dr. Richard Blake, a leader in podiatric sports medicine, biomechanics and a past president of the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine. The discussion includes the "Blake Inverted Casting Technique", and his new textbook – a 3 book set titled, "Practical Biomechanics". We discussed his YouTube Channel drblakelakehealingsole which has 12,000 subscribers and many videos with 200,000-500,000 views. A wonderful discussion with a legendary podiatrist! Dr. Blake shares his journey into the field of podiatric medicine and how he discovered his passion for treating athletes. With a wealth of experience and expertise, he discusses his work in biomechanics and his role as past president of the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine. This insightful conversation provides valuable insights into the world of podiatric medicine and its intersection with sports. Dr. Blake emphasizes the significance of having a solid understanding of anatomy to truly grasp biomechanical concepts. He reflects on his own education, where he had to memorize the layers of the feet, ankle, and knee. If he didn't have the opportunity to dissect and explore, he had to rely on two-dimensional pictures. However, he expresses envy for current students who have access to three-dimensional images from MRIs, which greatly facilitates learning anatomy in a more comprehensive manner. He also mentions the availability of educational apps that aid in the study of anatomy, a resource he did not have during his own education. Dr. Blake also stresses that surgery is essentially applied anatomy. He explains that a deep understanding of the anatomy of the foot and how it functions is essential for successful surgeries. He firmly believes that biomechanics is rooted in anatomy, and without a solid grasp of anatomy, it becomes challenging to fully comprehend biomechanical concepts. Biomechanics holds particular importance in the realm of sports medicine. This episode highlights the role of biomechanics in helping athletes train for events and prevent injuries. Dr. Jensen and Dr. Blake mention the presence of a sports podiatry area equipped with technology such as a tech scan, treadmill, and cameras. Dr. Blake treated numerous runners and found it rewarding to keep them on their feet and assist them in training for their desired events. This suggests that understanding biomechanics is crucial in helping athletes optimize their performance and prevent injuries. Dean's Chat Website  Dean's Chat Episodes  Dean's Chat Blog Why Podiatric Medicine?  Become a Podiatric Physician