Orthotic Experts

Orthotics

The term Orthotics is derived from the Greek "ortho," to straighten. Sciences such as materials engineering, gait analysis, anatomy and physiology, and psychology contribute to the work done by orthotists, the professionals engaged in the field or orthotics.

Simpler foot orthotics allow the muscles, tendons and bones of the feet and lower legs to function at their highest potential. When appropriately prescribed, orthotics can decrease pain, not only in the foot, but in other parts of the body such as the knee, hip and lower back. They can also increase stability in an unstable joint, prevent a deformed
foot from developing additional problems, and improve overall quality of life.

Custom/Prefabricated

Some professionals choose to use the adjective orthotic as a noun, usually describing a foot supporting device or insole. Orthosis (plural: orthoses) is the base word for orthotic and is grammatically more apt to describe the items or devices that provide direct contact with a portion of the external body surface, rendering resistance to unwanted movement. All orthoses are fabricated prior to or concurrent with being delivered or fitted to the person using them, even casts- as they are created on the patient and become effective for use prior to being used by hardening. Some of the devices are made or fabricated with specifications that derive directly from considerations of a single person end user. Some orthoses are made to fit by sizing; e.g. small, medium, large.

Sophisticated custom orthoses to more rigidly support compromised joints, weak muscles, and other medical conditions are often provided by orthotists. Plastic vs metal and leather fitting, complex mechanical hinges, and fasteners to keep the orthosis affixed well to the portion of the body that the orthosis supports are a part of the process in delivering orthotic support.

Benefits

In addition to providing relief for painful foot problems or an injury, those who may benefit from orthotics include people who must walk or stand excessively on the job. For those who are active in sports, orthotics will often increase endurance, performance and strength. For overweight individuals, orthotics can help to counteract the extra stress on the feet, as minor problems are often magnified due to the increased weight.

Orthotics are particularly effective in relieving foot fatigue and discomfort experienced by older adults, who may have developed arthritis in their feet. Orthotics may also be prescribed for children who have a foot deformity.

In athletic individuals, sports activities result in a great deal of movement and pressure on the foot. Slight imbalances in the foot that are not harmful or even detectable under usual circumstances may make one more vulnerable to injury with the extra stress of sports activity. By eliminating the need for one's muscles to compensate for imperceptible imbalances, orthotics can reduce fatigue and promote efficient muscle function to enhance performance. With enough functional correction, the foot structure can be aligned to give more propulsion, making walking, running and cycling more mechanically efficient.

Structure and Function

Foot orthotics take various forms and are constructed of various materials. All have the goal of improving foot function and minimizing stress forces that could ultimately cause foot deformity and pain. There are three broad categories of orthotics: those that primarily attempt to change foot function, those that are mainly protective or accommodative in nature, and those that combine functional control and accommodation.

While orthotics can be made by several different processes, most podiatrists make a plaster mold of the patient's foot and send it to a laboratory with a prescription. At the lab, technicians pour plaster into the mold, and when it hardens; it exactly reproduces the bottom of the individual's foot, although it is common for labs to "cast correct" by partially filling in the arch. This decreases the arch height of the orthotic and is done for comfort reasons. Once a reproduction of the individual’s foot is made, the technician’s then use the doctor’s prescription to custom-make a device to meet the patient's specific needs. The above process was first advocated by Root et al in the late 1970's and remains the preeminent standard. It is based on the neutral position model of correction.

Rigid orthotic devices are designed to control foot function, and may be made from a firm material such as plastic or carbon fiber. These types of orthotics are mainly designed to control motion in two major foot joints, which lie directly below the ankle joint. This type of orthotic is often used to improve or eliminate pain in the legs, thighs and lower back due to abnormal function of the foot.

Soft orthotic devices help to absorb shock, improve balance and take pressure off uncomfortable or sore spots. They are usually made of soft, compressible materials. This type of orthotic is effective for arthritis or deformities where there is a loss of protective fatty tissue on the side of the foot. They are also helpful for people with diabetes.

Semirigid orthotic devices are often used to treat athletes. It allows for dynmaic balance of the foot while running or participating in sports. By guiding the foot through proper functions, it allows the muscles and tendons to perform more efficiently. It is constructed of layers of soft materials, reinforced with more rigid materials.

Calibrated orthotic devices factors in the individual's body weight, foot flexibility and activity level to deliver a custom calibrated level of support that delivers firm but comfortable functional control while maintaining the properties of an accommodative device.

Since feet are the major weight-bearing part of the body, foot pain is common; half of the Americans polled by the American Podiatric Medical Association had missed a day of work because of foot problems. The foot contains 26 bones and many small structures which support and balance the weight of the entire body. Walking puts up to 1.5 times one's body weight on the foot, and humans walk an average of 1,000 miles per year.

Foot pain is not normal and should not be ignored; problems can affect the functioning of other parts of the body, including the hips, knees, and back. These are foot-related problems that may be related to biomechanical issues. Podiatrists, physical therapists and sports medicine practitioners will often prescribe custom foot orthoses as part of a treatment regimen.

They are prescribed to:

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