Orthotics
What is an Orthotic?
Orthotics are custom made foot inserts which are placed in your shoe to provide support for the foot. It does so by helping absorb and distribute forces and realign the joints while standing, walking or running. Foot pain while walking/standing can reduce your quality of life and slow you down. Symptoms can be caused by the way your foot moves or by the way your lower limb developed.
With every step, force is applied through your foot, leg and into your pelvis and low back. Your foot absorbs and decreases the force that is transmitted through the rest of the body. If this mechanism is not working properly you can often end up with not only foot pain but pain in your knees, hips and/or low back.
Common Uses for Orthotics
Orthotics are custom made foot inserts which are placed in your shoe to provide support for the foot. It does so by helping absorb and distribute forces and realign the joints while standing, walking or running. Foot pain while walking/standing can reduce your quality of life and slow you down. Symptoms can be caused by the way your foot moves or by the way your lower limb developed.
With every step, force is applied through your foot, leg and into your pelvis and low back. Your foot absorbs and decreases the force that is transmitted through the rest of the body. If this mechanism is not working properly you can often end up with not only foot pain but pain in your knees, hips and/or low back.
Common Uses for Orthotics
- Bunions
- Flat Foot
- Plantar Fasciitis
- Callus
- In/Out Toeing
- Joint Problems
- Leg Length discrepancy
- Arthritis
- Heel Spurs
- Heel pad atrophy
How is the orthotic cast?
First a thorough history and physical examination of the feet and lower limb are performed in both the seated and weight bearing positions. This allows for a correct diagnosis and plan of management to be made. At this time the doctor indicates whether or not an orthotic would benefit the patient. The feet are casted using a foam cast with the patient in a subtalar neutral, non-weightbearing position. The foam cast and patient specific order form are then sent to the orthotic manufacturer. The entire process should take about 2-3 weeks.
First a thorough history and physical examination of the feet and lower limb are performed in both the seated and weight bearing positions. This allows for a correct diagnosis and plan of management to be made. At this time the doctor indicates whether or not an orthotic would benefit the patient. The feet are casted using a foam cast with the patient in a subtalar neutral, non-weightbearing position. The foam cast and patient specific order form are then sent to the orthotic manufacturer. The entire process should take about 2-3 weeks.
