Calgary Foot Clinic podiatrists prescribe and construct foot orthotics. These are specially designed devices that are worn inside the shoe to control abnormal foot function and/or accommodate painful areas of the foot. Properly designed foot orthotics may compensate for impaired foot function by controlling abnormal motion across the joints of the foot. This may result in result in dramatic improvement in foot symptoms. The orthotics your podiatrist provides are custom-made for your feet and modified to suit your particular needs. Proper orthotics can only be prescribed after a thorough assessment by one of our highly trained podiatrists.
Foot orthotics that are dispensed by our clinic are custom made for your feet, they should not be confused with over-the-counter arch supports. These may help the occasional patient with minor arch discomfort, but they frequently fail because they do not properly control foot function and/or do not properly fit the patient’s feet. Custom foot orthotics are made from a plaster impression of your feet. Walking across a colorful force platform may provide useful information on areas of pressure on the bottom of your feet, but it CAN NOT capture a three-dimensional impression of your foot. Supports based on information from force platforms, ink impressions, and the like, can not result in true custom orthotics. The consumer should beware of individuals with little or no training, who hold themselves out as experts on foot problems and orthotics.
Orthotics will control the position and motion of your foot. This may prevent the development of pain and disability, and the development of additional deformity. Orthotics will not change the underlying structure of the adult foot. If they are not worn, abnormal function will immediately return. In a sense they are analogous to dentures, if you remove then you can no longer properly chew your food.
Foot orthotics broadly fall into two main types:
Functional posted foot orthotics
Functional foot orthotics are usually made from rigid materials, especially plastics and carbon-fiber composites. They are constructed upon a plaster impression of the feet and modified based on the podiatrist’s evaluation of your problem. They are normally quite comfortable and do not feel hard or uncomfortable in the shoe. Rigid orthotics normally last for a few years, additions such as top covers and extensions may require periodic replacement.
Unlike simple arch supports, functional posed orthotics control abnormal position and movement of the foot. While standing or walking the heel and midfoot are held in a more stable position. This allows the foot to function more efficiently during weight-bearing and propulsion. This control is often accomplished by limiting abnormal pronation of the foot. Pronation is a complex movement involving eversion (turning out) of the heel and forefoot. There is a corresponding internal rotation (turning in) of the lower leg, and flattening of the arch. Ligaments become strained, and muscles overwork attempting to pull the foot into a more stable position. By controlling abnormal pronation, functional orthotics help prevent some of the complications of the chronically unstable foot.
Your assessment for functional orthotics includes:
- History and physical examination
- Lower extremity biomechanical examination
- Plaster foot impressions
Accommodative foot orthotics
Some patients, for example the very elderly, may not tolerate rigid functional orthotics. Under these circumstances, the podiatrist will prescribe an orthotic made from softer materials with special accommodations for painful areas, or constructed to provide gentle control of foot motion. These are generally custom made from softer materials and usually need more frequent replacement.
Ankle – Foot Orthoses
Patients with serious functional impairment sometimes require an orthotic that stabilizes the ankle joint as well as the foot. These devices are varied and constructed to suite the individual’s needs. They are custom made and conform to the foot, ankle and the lower part of the leg. They permit the use of normal footwear. Conditions that often require this type of device include advanced osteoarthritis, pathology of the major tendons of the foot & leg, and neuro-muscular disorders.
Our podiatrists are able to evaluate, diagnose, and treat your foot and leg problems. If orthotics are indicated, they can utilize the most advanced methods of construction. The orthotics case fee includes your assessment, plaster impression, fabrication, dispensing, initial adjustments and limited follow-up visits. If complications develop, the podiatrist is there to evaluate and treat those. They can offer you alternative treatments, be they medical, orthopedic, or surgical. If required, appropriate referrals can be made.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are orthotics?
Podiatrists prescribe and construct foot orthotics. These are specially designed devices that are worn inside the shoe to control abnormal foot function and/or accommodate painful areas of the foot. Properly designed foot orthotics may compensate for impaired foot function, by controlling abnormal motion across the joints of the foot. This may result in dramatic improvement in foot symptoms. Functional foot orthotics are usually made from rigid materials, especially plastics and carbon-fiber composites. They are constructed upon a plaster impression of the feet, and modified based on the podiatrist’s evaluation of your problem. They are normally quite comfortable, and do not feel hard or uncomfortable in the shoe. Rigid orthotics normally last for years, additions such as top covers and extensions may require periodic replacement. Some patients, for example the very elderly, may not tolerate rigid functional orthotics. Under these circumstances, the podiatrist will prescribe an orthotic made from softer materials with special accommodations for painful areas. Many different materials can be utilized, such as rubber, cork, leather, and soft synthetic plastics. The podiatrist is in the unique position of being able to evaluate, diagnose, and treat your foot or leg problems. If orthotics are indicated, he or she can utilize the most advanced methods of construction. Orthotics that are prescribed by the podiatrist and custom made for your feet, should not be confused with over the counter arch supports. These may help the occasional patient with minor arch discomfort, but they frequently fail because they do not properly control foot function and/or do not properly fit the patient’s feet. The consumer should beware of individuals with no or inadequate training, who hold themselves out as experts on foot problems and orthotics. Only the podiatrist or medical doctor can diagnose foot problems and offer alternative treatment plans. If complications develop, the podiatrist is there to evaluate and treat those. He or she can offer the patient alternative treatments, be they medical, orthopedic, or surgical.
What are Functional Posted Foot Orthotics?
Unlike simple arch supports, functional posed orthotics control abnormal position and movement of the foot. While standing or walking the heel and midfoot are held in a more stable position. This allows the foot to function more efficiently during weight-bearing and propulsion. This control is often accomplished by limiting abnormal pronation of the foot. Pronation is a complex movement involving eversion (turning out) of the heel and forefoot. There is a corresponding internal rotation (turning in) of the lower leg, and flattening of the arch. Ligaments become strained, and muscles over work attempting to pull the foot into a more stable position. By controlling abnormal pronation, functional orthotics help prevent some of the complications of the chronically unstable foot. Functional orthotics are usually (but not always) made from rigid plastic materials. There may be various additions, top covers, and extensions, depending on the patient’s need. They are very comfortable, as they are custom made from plaster impressions. The posts on a functional orthotic are wedges at the heel and midfoot, which hold those structures in a proper angular relationship to each other and the leg. Functional posted orthotics should only be prescribed by a properly trained practitioner after a thorough biomechanical examination.
Will orthotics correct my foot problem?
Orthotics will control the position and motion of your foot. This may prevent the development of pain and disability, and the development of additional deformity. Orthotics will not change the underlying structure of the adult foot. If they are not worn, abnormal function will immediately return. In a sense they are analagous to dentures, if you remove then you can no longer properly chew your food.
Will orthotics fit in all my shoes?
The short answer is no. Some shoes will not fit properly with an orthotic inside. These are usually dressy shoes with a shallow heel counter (i.e the rear part of the shoe that wraps around the heel). Women have more fitting problems than men, due to shoe fashion. You can find dress shoe that nicely fit an orthotic, but choices will be more limited. There are special dress shoe orthotics that fit more easily into fashionable shoes. Discuss with your podiatrist if these are suitable for you.
After wearing my orthotics, my legs and back were sore. Is this normal?
Are special orthotics required for sports?
Standard orthotics are proper for most activities, including sports which do not involve excessive impact on the feet. Sports such as running, basketball, high impact aerobics, tennis, racquet sports, and baseball, all involve considerable ground impact. Sports orthotics are fabricated from more resilient materials which dissipate some of this force. They are available in a variety of forms, general purpose and those designed for the demands of a specific sport. Most can be used for everyday activities, but they tend to be more bulky than standard orthotics, and fit best in running and walking shoes.