What Is Orthotic Therapy?

Most foot pain is the result of a faulty relationship between the bones and muscles of the foot.  Even a slight misalignment of bones and muscles can cause a discomfort.  This form of misalignment is the cause of a number of problems, such as pronation, flat feet, persistent ankle sprains, bunions, corns and callus, back pain and neck pain.  As a result your podiatrist may prescribe Orthotic Therapy.

“People of all ages with a variety of foot and lower leg problems wear orthoses. Sportspeople are often prescribed orthoses to help maximise their performance, as well to address biomechanical problems.  Anyone suffering from a chronic foot or lower limb condition that is limiting their mobility or independence may benefit from wearing orthoses.”  PASA association website

Orthotics are devices that fit into shoes to support, align or improve the function of your feet, by distributing body weight evenly across each foot. The result is the removal of imbalances and better foot control to reduce ongoing stress to any one area on the foot. There are hundreds of differing types of orthotics and our professionals can assist you with the right choice for your condition.   It may be:

• Prefabricated, cushioning orthoses that provide cushioning and padding underfoot with shock absorption during walking

• Prefabricated pressure relief orthoses that redistribute the pressure of problem areas of the foot

• Moulded cast or non-cast orthoses that offer similar features and superior fit

or

• Functional foot (customised kinetic) orthoses, which offer every one of the above features, plus the benefit of postural realignment. There are a number of quality laboratories in Australia that make the devices tailored to their exact prescription. Quality orthotics made in a high performance laboratory, make a difference, to the performance and effectiveness of devices. These orthoses are made of high-impact materials, super-strength woven fibre and plastics

When, Why and How to have Orthotic Therapy?

When: Most people don’t give their feet a second thought, until they get hurt, feel pain or something goes wrong with them. If this occurs they may visit us.

Our podiatrists will ask you many questions related to your issue, the pain or discomfort, your lifestyle needs, your occupational needs, medical history and any presenting family conditions (flat-footedness, high arches) and through this, along with a foot assessment, they will find the correct diagnosis and then recommend a treatment. This may include a biomechanical assessment.  When the results of the biomechanical assessment verify the need for structural support, then Orthotic Therapy may be indicated.

Why: Orthotic devices can be used to:

• align and support the foot or ankle

• help correct or prevent foot deformities (high arches flat feet) and improve the general function of your foot/ankle

• help ease pain on feet during exercise, or for those who have a little more weight than they would like and are trying to exercise but find it painful and uncomfortable on their feet

• Support postural control

• Prevent Injury and wear and tear

• Provide a long-term solutions in the minimization of corns, calluses and ulceration by redistributing the pressure of the body’s weight on the feet

• Help with the rehabilitation of acute and chronic foot conditions such as: Tendonitis, Plantar Fasciitis, recurrent ankle sprains and stress fractures

How: Your podiatrist will make the diagnosis based on your biomechanical assessment and let you know the type of orthoses you will need” Prefabricated or Custom-made. S/he will also advise on the type of footwear that best suits your orthoses and any lifestyle changes you may need to make and exercises, training methods, or follow up treatments needed.

If Prefabricated are indicated, they can be fitted on the spot

If Custom made devices are indicated then the prescription and sent to the milling lab.

Once the devices are produced, the podiatrist will tailor them to fit your shoes. Once fitted, any adjustments necessary can be done in our on-site lab, taking into account your daily activities and lifestyle needs. You will be advised on how to “wear in” your devices to avoid issues.  Some people take to their devices very easily, others need a process of fine-tuning the devices.

Orthotics are not bullet proof! Your podiatrist will show you ways to look after them for maximum wear and durability.

Take the first step!