Custom Foot Orthotics
Your South Edmonton choice for Custom Foot Orthotics and footwear!
Your feet have a direct impact on the rest of your body. Like the foundation of your house, your feet support the weight of everything above them. When a small problem arises in your feet, a subtle change in the way you walk will cause a chain reaction of adjustments to occur and affect your posture and walking mechanics. These subtle changes cause stress on your joints higher up and cause other problems.
Orthotics help to re-balance your feet, reducing pain and discomfort associated with pressure points, muscle strain and abnormal forces on the ankle, knees, hips and spine by enhancing your body’s natural movements and keeping your body aligned. Helping restore the normal balance and alignment of your body, custom orthotics are a prescription made to mold the support requirements of your feet.
Your feet have a direct impact on the rest of your body. Like the foundation of your house, your feet support the weight of everything above them. When a small problem arises in your feet, a subtle change in the way you walk will cause a chain reaction of adjustments to occur and affect your posture and walking mechanics. These subtle changes cause stress on your joints higher up and cause other problems.
Orthotics help to re-balance your feet, reducing pain and discomfort associated with pressure points, muscle strain and abnormal forces on the ankle, knees, hips and spine by enhancing your body’s natural movements and keeping your body aligned. Helping restore the normal balance and alignment of your body, custom orthotics are a prescription made to mold the support requirements of your feet.
Over time, custom orthotics support what is prescribed by your health care practitioner and bring you relief from fatigue and pain, allowing you to enjoy daily activities comfortably.
Most benefits will cover a good percentage, if not the full cost of custom orthotics.
Please contact our office with any questions or to book an appointment to have your custom foot orthotics made for you.
Most benefits will cover a good percentage, if not the full cost of custom orthotics.
Please contact our office with any questions or to book an appointment to have your custom foot orthotics made for you.
What to expect at your orthotic appointment
Getting orthotics will consist of 3 appointments.
Initial Visit: Biomechanical Evaluation, Gaitscan and Foot Casting
Initial Visit: Biomechanical Evaluation, Gaitscan and Foot Casting
Biomechanical Evaluation
On your first visit, a full biomechanical evaluation will be performed. Biomechanics is the study of human locomotion — how the foot moves affects the rest of the body. A house can’t be built on a crooked foundation. If the feet are not balanced correctly while in motion, all joints up the line may be affected. Ankle, knee, hip, and back pain can all be caused by foot imbalances. In a biomechanical and foot evaluation, the different planes of the foot are viewed to see any imbalances that may be present. Watching the patient walk reveals deficiencies that may have gone undetected for months or even years.
On your first visit, a full biomechanical evaluation will be performed. Biomechanics is the study of human locomotion — how the foot moves affects the rest of the body. A house can’t be built on a crooked foundation. If the feet are not balanced correctly while in motion, all joints up the line may be affected. Ankle, knee, hip, and back pain can all be caused by foot imbalances. In a biomechanical and foot evaluation, the different planes of the foot are viewed to see any imbalances that may be present. Watching the patient walk reveals deficiencies that may have gone undetected for months or even years.
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GaitScan Analysis
A gait scan analysis is performed using Modern Computer Technology. GaitScan™ is an innovative diagnostic tool and digital casting device that allow analysis of your biomechanics and order custom orthotic products. With 4096 sensors and a scan rate of 300 frames per second, GaitScan™ is the industry leader in dynamic scanning capabilities. Over a million points of data are recorded, tracking minor flaws in your biomechanics and shedding light on issues that if left untreated, could develop into painful conditions over time. |
Computerized GaitScan Analysis
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Casting
A cast or impression of the feet will taken for the building of orthotics as required.
Shoe Fit
Shoe-fitting concerns will be addressed. Shoes hold the orthosis in the proper place on the foot, so shoes can maximize the value of an orthosis or limit it. Because an orthosis takes up room that would otherwise be available for the foot, not all shoe types are suitable for an orthosis. Many of today’s shoes, however, are manufactured with a removable insole, which is the “bed” the foot rests on in a shoe. When the insole is removed, there may be sufficient space to replace it with an orthosis. Treatments and stretches may be given for specific foot and related problems.
Second Visit: Dispensing the Orthotic
Three to 4 weeks after casting and Gaitscan, the orthotics will be dispensed and fitted to shoes. Shoes with extra depth or that have removable insoles work best.
Third Visit: Rechecking
A recheck appointment will be set up for two weeks after the dispense. We will recheck the patient’s condition using wear patterns on the orthotics, verbal feedback from the patient, and any changes in gait. We will then make any adjustments or changes to the orthotics that are needed.
Wearing Your Custom-Fit Orthotics
The following suggestions will help you get maximum benefit from your custom orthotic footbeds:
A cast or impression of the feet will taken for the building of orthotics as required.
Shoe Fit
Shoe-fitting concerns will be addressed. Shoes hold the orthosis in the proper place on the foot, so shoes can maximize the value of an orthosis or limit it. Because an orthosis takes up room that would otherwise be available for the foot, not all shoe types are suitable for an orthosis. Many of today’s shoes, however, are manufactured with a removable insole, which is the “bed” the foot rests on in a shoe. When the insole is removed, there may be sufficient space to replace it with an orthosis. Treatments and stretches may be given for specific foot and related problems.
Second Visit: Dispensing the Orthotic
Three to 4 weeks after casting and Gaitscan, the orthotics will be dispensed and fitted to shoes. Shoes with extra depth or that have removable insoles work best.
Third Visit: Rechecking
A recheck appointment will be set up for two weeks after the dispense. We will recheck the patient’s condition using wear patterns on the orthotics, verbal feedback from the patient, and any changes in gait. We will then make any adjustments or changes to the orthotics that are needed.
Wearing Your Custom-Fit Orthotics
The following suggestions will help you get maximum benefit from your custom orthotic footbeds:
- Always place the orthotics into your shoes as far toward the heels as possible. Make sure the correct orthotic is in the left and right shoe.
- Wear your orthotics for only a couple of hours the first day and increase by an hour or two each day. The break-in period may vary with the individual. Use common sense and listen to your feet and body. Orthotics change the way you walk and the way your muscles work. You may now be using muscles you have not used in a long time. Foot and leg muscle fatigue, as well as discomfort, can occur during the initial break-in period.
- If your orthotics squeak while walking, place a bit of talc-based baby powder into your shoes.
- Orthotics work best when worn with socks or stockings. When purchasing new shoes, try them with your orthotics.
- For proper fit, it will probably be necessary to buy footwear with removable insoles. We will gladly give you information on shoe types which will work best for you.
- Never wash your orthotics in hot water or leave them in your shoes when your shoes are wet.
- If your orthotics are uncomfortable after the break-in period, or if they pinch or cause blisters, please stop wearing them and call for an adjustment.
- Casting for orthotics cannot capture dynamic foot position in all phases of the gait cycle. Therefore, occasionally, minor adjustments are necessary.