Xtreme Everest

LOC Assists The Xtreme Everest Expedition

LOC were appointed consultants to the Xtreme Everest expedition. Xtreme Everest is a research based project coordinated by the Centre for Aviation, Space and Extreme(CASE) environment medicine at University College London. Its objective was to study and measure how the human body reacts when oxygen is scarce. The medical research team took the first ever measurements of blood oxygen in the Death Zone at altitudes above 8,000 metres where the human body has struggled and frequently failed to survive. In addition to the core medical team, 200 volunteers climbed up to Base Camp on Everest (5,300 metres or 17,300ft above sea level) and took part in observational experiments over a three week period. The CASE team believe that the lessons learnt from studying humans at the limits of survival can be brought back to the bedside to help in the care of the critically ill, particularly those who are unable to take in sufficient oxygen, either because of lung disease or conditions such as cystic fibrosis.

LOC provided a range of bio-mechanical screening services to the core climbing team and the volunteers; which include in-shoe pressure mapping, gait analysis and 3D Spinal Posture scans. LOC became involved on the recommendation of Xtreme Everest Expedition Manager, Mac Mackenny.

Mac explains why:

I approached the London Orthotic Consultancy (LOC) as I had been suffering from severe knee pain when trying to push myself to the limits of my endurance under training. As a professional Adventurer my fitness is crucial to my work, for without it I cannot undertake the tasks required when in extreme environments and under extreme physical challenges. Expeditions with Sir Ranulph Fiennes to the North Pole and Alaska have meant that I had be at the peak of my physical fitness.

For a number of , I had been heavily restricted in how far I could push myself due to the knee pain and already had to turn down high-profile jobs of which some were for BBC film documentaries. On an 85 mile non-stop mountain bike ride along the entire length of the South Downs Way to be completed in one day my right knee suddenly felt like it was heavily swollen at the 50 mile point. I continued on for the remaining 35 miles relying on pain killers to get me though but this put me out of action for many months. A year later on, during a 42 mile non-stop walk across the Yorkshire Moors it gave up at 24 miles.

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I've seen countless medical professionals, from NHS knee specialists to private osteopaths and no one has been able to establish the cause of the problem.

Chris Drake of the London Orthotic Consultancy undertook a very intensive and professional examination, looking at every possible cause of my knee pain. This involved checking areas that had not been looked at before, such as my posture and feet profile. A special machine photographed my back highlighting key points in my spine and hips to establish whether or not I had a pelvic tilt and torsion, which could be causing the pain; my leg length was measured and sensors were inserted into my running shoes to find out if I was exerting too much pressure onto key areas of my feet.

Insoles were made for my running shoes and the difference that they have had on just the 5 runs that I have done has been noticeable already. It will take a while for my body to adjust to the new running position because I have been adopting such a bad posture for so long.

Chris fully appreciated the importance of this latest expedition and the need for me to look at my body holistically. Therefore as part of my treatment he also recommended I see a sports injury specialist to tackle areas of muscular tension and improve my flexibility which will help reduce the risk of further injury.

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Mac continues to say "Due to the exceptionally high standard of the Orthotics and diagnostic examination undertaken by The London Orthotic Consultancy, as Expedition Manager I was very pleased to appoint LOC official consultants to the Xtreme-Everest Expedition."

With over 250 people trekking to Everest Base Camp as part of the project, of which 20 will climb higher, it was imperative that all team members do not suffer from any problems that could prevent them from completing the expedition. For the 20-strong team climbing higher than Base Camp this becomes absolutely crucial and could mean the difference between life and death. Suffering pain that prevents you from walking when at altitudes approaching 30,000 feet becomes life threatening, not just an inconvenience. Helicopters cannot reach such heights and being carried down puts other team members at risk. This is why we can only entrust such issues to the most experienced professionals

Mac Mackenny Xtreme-Everest Expedition Manager

To visit the Xtreme-Everest website click here

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