Orthotics
Orthotics are a pair of supportive devices placed inside your shoes, which positively alter your foot and ankle’s movement pattern.
Orthotics (orthoses) are prescribed when a particular problem exists with either the bones or soft tissue structures such as tendons, ligaments or fascia. These problems can arise in the foot, ankle or lower leg and are often called musculoskeletal pathology. Orthotics aim to alter the forces placed on the foot and ankle, subsequently reducing stress and strain.
There are many treatment options for pain and injury. Your consultation will include a detailed history, biomechanical assessment, provisional diagnoses, education and identification of your goals. Paul will provide you with education about your problem and you can together develop a course of action that is appropriate and takes your goals into consideration.
It is common practice that the following modalities are tried first, such as, strapping, padding, footwear changes and exercise rehabilitation. If your foot posture and function is thought to be contributing to your problem, then orthotics can be considered a useful component to your treatment plan, particularly to provide longer term benefits.
Types of Orthotics
Customised Orthotics
The process starts with an impression of your feet. An individualised prescription is created, which is the recipe to ensure the orthotics include the necessary features to control your foot mechanics and support the painful injured structures, which were identified during your assessment. Orthotics are made to be supportive, but flexible too, which enables your feet to still function naturally.
The orthotics are manufactured here in Melbourne, which is owned and operated by Podiatrists.
Template Orthotics
There are 9 different styles, which vary in arch style and degrees of correction. They are a cheaper price point and can be an alternative to custom orthotics, sometimes suited for children who are growing quickly. They must be carefully considered to ensure the foot appropriately matches these pre-determined styles and will fulfil the necessary requirements to achieve therapeutic benefit.
Prefabricated Orthotics
We have source prefabricated orthotics that we feel are more supportive (with some rearfoot support) and flexible, than many of those seen in retail settings. These orthotics can assist in the event that our patients would like to trial some foot support, before perhaps considering a custom device. They can also be effective during acutely painful conditions, to assist in immediate therapeutic care. Often once this pain has resolved and rehab performed, patients may like to consider a customised pair to better match their foot posture and mechanics down the track.
