What are Foot Orthotics?
Ever felt like a cat on a hot tin roof first thing in the morning as you make your way to the shower? Experiencing pain in your feet after prolonged rest such as sleeping is a sure sign you may need orthotics!
Orthotics are custom made shoe insoles that are specialised and prescribed by a podiatrist to help treat and prevent lower limb pain and injuries by balancing the very foundations of your body…. your feet! The most common biomechanical fault is over ‘pronation‘, which is the dropping of your arch causing flat feet and inward rolling of your feet and ankles. Pronation affects an estimated 70% of the population. Just as problematic but far less common is the presence of high arches causing excessive rolling out of your feet and ankles. Both these conditions are undesirable because they place stress on other parts of your body.
Orthotics are developed to redistribute pressure and therefore improve the biomechanical function of your feet. By redistributing pressure in your feet we can offload areas that may be suffering additional stress. Orthotics can reduce pain and improve overall lower limb function. If the balance in your feet aren’t right then the alignment of your knees and pelvis won’t be right and if that’s affected, then your spine all the way to your neck and head will be affected causing back pain, neck pain and headaches.
It is not uncommon for our Podiatrist to receive referrals from Physiotherapists and Chiropractors to assess and balance the feet to correct the “biomechanical chain”. To give you an analogy, if the foundations of your home start collapsing in sections then the cornices of your home will start to crack in certain places. You can either keep patching the cornices or deal with the foundations. One approach focuses on the cause of the problem whilst the other is simply patching the issue that is bound to reoccur.
What’s the process?
After running you through a biomechanical assessment and gait analysis, our Podiatrist will use a specialised gait plate to scan your foot whilst you stand and walk. This plate has 4,000 industrial sensors that maps the foot (from underneath) in a standing position as well as when you walk helping identify areas of overload that need to be corrected.
When prescribing a custom orthotic our Podiatrist considers your individual foot type, movement patterns, activities and future goals to ensure the prescribed device best suited to you and your needs! For example, an avid runner would have an entirely different type of orthotic compared to someone who mostly walks and spends most of the day in an office.
Correctly fitted orthotics can be used to treat and prevent a range of conditions such as heel pain, forefoot pain, shin pain, ankle pain, arthritis, callus, corns, along with many less recognised conditions such as back pain and knee pain.
Why are there different types of foot orthotics?
Different types of orthotics are prescribed depending on your requirements and your budget. Top of the range are custom made orthotics which can be firm or soft. These orthotics can be made to suit casual shoes or narrower, enclosed dress shoes. These orthotics are robust and are very effective in correcting severe biomechanical problems. More importantly, custom made foot orthotics can be regularly adjusted and re-covered to accommodate changes in your lifestyle and foot health. Many patients often purchase two pairs of orthotics, one pair to suit their wider fitted casual shoes and a narrower, shorter pair for their dress or work shoes.
We also offer prefabricated orthotics that can be modified to suit your feet. They are very good quality but not as robust as custom made orthotics. They are however a very cost-effective solution for children with growing feet. These prefabricated orthotics offer much greater support than cheaper off the shelf ‘innersoles’ purchased from a chemist or retail outlet.
Why should you see a podiatrist for your orthotics?
A podiatrist is university qualified in the study of the feet and lower limbs. We are specialists in the study of biomechanics so when you see a podiatrist you can be assured that you will be thoroughly assessed before a treatment plan is recommended. Our podiatrists will conduct a biomechanical assessment of your feet and lower limbs, video your gait to analyse how you walk and run and only then will they prescribe a treatment plan for you. Your plan may or may not include orthotics. More importantly, our podiatrist will recommend which type of orthotic will best suit your condition, lifestyle and budget. Private health rebates are applicable if your orthotics are issued by a qualified podiatrist.
It is important to remember that no two feet are the same and that your practitioner has the ability and knowledge to adjust and mould your devices to suit your particular feet. If orthotics are prescribed and fitted correctly, they should not be uncomfortable to wear.
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