People are becoming more aware of orthotic
therapy today. Orthotics are inserts for your footwear that help correct structural
problems in the foot such as high arches or flat feet. These problems
often result in pain in the sole, heel, forefoot, ankles, knees, and,
sometimes, the hips and back. Orthotics can also be helpful in
addressing structural conditions that lead to the buildup of callus,
formation of corns, diabetic foot wounds, and complications from claw
toes, curly toes, hammer toes and bunions. When used appropriately, they
can be extremely effective.
However, as orthotics
become a more recognizable form of therapy, it seems everyone from shoe
stores to shopping mall kiosks and other aggressive entrepreneurs is
selling them. Even some health practitioners who are
not foot specialists are providing orthotics as a sideline business.
Methods like foam boxes, ink pad prints, and seemingly “advanced”
technology like electronic computer scanners and pressure mats may seem
impressive to the average consumer. However, what the unsuspecting
public may be purchasing is an overpriced arch support or, worse, a
custom insert that is shaped to a faulty foot.
Suspended Sub-Talar
Joint Neutral Casting
Ideally, prescription custom orthotics are precisely “cast” using a very
specialized technique. The practitioner adjusts your foot into a special
position called “sub-talar
joint neutral” while it is suspended in the air, and then
creates a plaster mold. Recent 3D computer advancements allow the chiropodist or
podiatrist to create an electronic image using highly advanced software from
which the mold for the orthotic is generated -- more accurately and
without the mess. He or she prescribes adjustments to
the cast using precise calculations to help correct any deficiencies in
your foot structure. It's very important to note that this 3D technology still
requires the immense skill and training of chiropodists. It is not to be
confused with the "cheap cousin" type computer pads and scanners that take two
dimensional images of the feet, often used by non-chiropodists/podiatrists.
Suspended sub-talar joint neutral casting is considered to be the gold
standard. In fact, many insurance companies insist on orthotic
prescriptions from registered members of the College of Chiropodists of
Ontario, who use this technique. Other methods of casting, including
computers, take a mold of your foot while you are standing on it. Think
about it. Why would you want a device that was created for your foot
while it was in the very position that was causing your pain in the
first place?
Wide range of orthotics for a wide range of footwear
The science of
orthotic manufacturing has come a long way since it first began. They
used to be very bulky, which limited the variety of shoes in which
they could be used. Today, orthotics easily match the versatility of
your lifestyle. They will fit into a range of footwear for everyday life
and sports, including dress shoes, running shoes, skates and ski boots.
Orthotics can even be molded into the beds of summer sandals. Beard &
Webster Foot Care & Orthotics strongly discourages women from wearing
high-heeled shoes since they adversely affect foot health, but if you
must, orthotics can also be fit to many of these types of shoes.
Prescription custom orthotics also come in a wide range of styles to suit different purposes and activities. At Beard & Webster Foot Care & Orthotics, we offer a full range of devices, such as:
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Functional (day-to-day) orthotics
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Sports orthotics
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Dress orthotics
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Accommodative / extra cushioning orthotics
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Diabetic orthotics
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Childrens' orthotics
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Orthotic shoes and sandals
Is your device "custom" or "customized"?
Registered Chiropodists at Beard & Webster Foot Care & Orthotics prescribe and dispense prescription custom orthotics. This means that they take a plastar cast and prescribe corrective calculations for a device that is made specifically for your foot only. The prescription is sent away to a high-quality lab for manufacturing, which normally takes two to three weeks for the device to return. Patients then receive the device from the Chiropodist where it is fit and instructions are provided for its use.
This is differs from "customized" orthotics which are essentially off-the-shelf pre-sized devices that are either heat molded or modified slightly to better fit your foot. The devices are not necessarily "bad," but they are limited in the range of problems they are suited to treating. Consumers should be wary of "customized" orthotics represented as "custom."
Suspended sub-talar joint neutral orthotics are precision medical devices. They may look similar to some customized orthotics or devices cast using computers or foam boxes. However, it is what you do not see that makes the difference. The years of training undergone by the Chiropodist, the science in his or her prescription and in creating the device, the quality of materials, and the versatility in treating a wide variety of foot problems all set these orthotics very much apart.
A good comparison
is the precision set of eyeglasses you receive through your optometrist
versus the one-size fits all glasses you can buy at your drug or
hardware store. The glasses you receive through your optometrist correct
for your specific eye problems following a thorough eye health exam. The
one-size fits all glasses are basically magnifying glasses mass produced
to pre-set values.
Unfortunately, orthotics provision is not regulated in any Canadian province. Essentially, anyone can set up shop to provide a device they call an “orthotic”. This makes it challenging for the average foot pain sufferer to choose a device and provider.
However, as government regulated foot specialists, members of the College of Chiropodists of Ontario (Chiropodists and Podiatrists) are bound by specific rules regarding orthotic therapy as part of their licensing. They are also highly trained. Chiropodists and Podiatrists receive nearly four years of intensive lower limb bio-mechanics, gait analysis, and orthotic therapy training as part of an overall foot medicine program. Some people providing orthotics receive as little as one day of training, or, worse, some are providing orthotics with no training at all. It is an unfortunate situation, and both the Ontario Society of Chiropodists and the Ontario Podiatric Medical Association are lobbying the government for regulation and provincial standards of practice for providing orthotics.
More
reasons to see your
Chiropodist for orthotics
Not everyone who suffers from foot pain or problems necessarily needs a pair of orthotics. When you see your Registered Chiropodist, you are seeing a highly trained foot medical specialist who can provide a wide range of treatments. He or she can identify your problem and match it to the most appropriate treatment approach or combination of approaches.
In some cases, as well, foot pain or problems may simply be symptoms of other more serious foot health issues. Orthotic therapy may or may not be the best approach to help address these symptoms. Your Chiropodist is able to determine the best treatment based on your overall foot health. As a foot medical specialist, he or she helps ensure that any potentially more serious underlying problems do not go undiagnosed and unresolved. He or she is uniquely trained and licensed to provide a total management plan for your foot problem.
Copyright 2009/2010, Beard & Webster Foot Care & Orthotics