Foot Orthoses – Orthotic Therapy
Biomechanical examination of the foot and leg is an important step in determining the underlying cause of painful, foot, leg, hip and lower back pain syndromes.
This examination involves both weight bearing and non-weight bearing measurements of joint alignment in the lower limb, and gait analysis.
Orthoses are used for a number of conditions such as:-
- Plantar fasciitis (heel pain).
- Achilles tendonosis.
- Ankle and forefoot pain.
- Low arched feet.
- High arched feet.
- Diabetic foot complications.
- Running injuries eg shin splints.
- Knee and lower back pain.
- Tired aching legs and feet.
- Morton’s neuroma.
- Children’s complaints such as growing pains, Sever’s disease (knee pain/heel pain).
- Ileo-tibial Band Syndrome (outside knee pain).
In some cases an off the shelf device (OSD) is all that is required, or the patient may wish to try an OSD initially to see if this helps, or use such a device until the custom made orthotic is ready. Orthoses can be specially made to fit all types of shoes from sneakers, casual lace shoes, ski boots, to low cut court shoes.
If a custom device is required, a digital scan of the foot is taken with the foot in its neutral position. This scan with the biomechanical information already obtained is used to make up a custom functional orthoses. |
