Custom Orthotics optimise mobility

Orthotic prescription to optimise mobility

Recommendations for prescription of orthoses

Biomechanical problems can have a significant impact on the legs, pelvis and lower back – and obviously the feet. If a patient complains of pain in these areas, customised biomedical orthotics can lead to relief and/or prevention of symptoms. Orthotics provide pain relief and ongoing support to allow for realignment of the knees, hips and spine, thereby providing relief for a range of musculoskeletal problems not limited to the feet. In most cases orthotics can prevent disability and further deformity of the foot caused by incorrect biomechanics.

PATIENT ASSESSMENT

1. Biomechanical assessment: patients should be fully assessed to record
   range of movement, gait and function.
2. Pathological assessment: underlying pathology causing foot abnormalities
   should be evaluated.
3. Footwear analysis: patient footwear should be evaluated and
   recommendations should be made for shoes that provide support and,
   when necessary to allow mobility for deformed feet, a wider toe box.

ORTHOTIC PRESCRIPTION

1. The orthotic prescription should take patient footwear and the patient’s
   biomechanical needs into consideration along with underlying pathology
   to provide a fully supportive device that takes all of the patient’s needs
   into account.
2. Orthotic materials: The material selected for the orthotic devices should
   provide the level of flexibility required on the basis of foot type, activity and
   patient pathology.
3. Most custom orthotic devices are 3D printed these days and we use 3D scanning for greater accuracy .

Preventative benefits of orthotics

Biomechanical problems can have a significant impact on the legs, pelvis and lower back – and obviously the feet. If a patient complains of pain in these areas, customised biomedical orthotics can lead to relief and/or prevention of symptoms. Following a biomechanical assessment by a podiatrist, orthoses will be made to fit the patient’s foot and with the patient’s biomechanical needs taken into consideration. Orthotics provide pain relief and ongoing support to allow for realignment of the knees, hips and spine, thereby providing relief for a range of musculoskeletal problems not limited to the feet. In most cases, orthotics can prevent disability and further deformity of the foot caused by incorrect biomechanics.

Patients with arthritis, diabetes or circulatory conditions are at increased risk for a range of injuries for which orthoses can provide relief and support, and they thereby act as an effective preventative treatment. In the general population, patients with Achilles tendonitis, plantar fasciitis or metatarsalgia will notice significant relief of symptoms following the fitting of orthotics. Athletes can also benefit hugely from the fitting of orthotics, which can be custom made to fit athletic shoes, as they can for a range of other shoe types, including high heels and dress shoes.

 

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