Do you suffer from painful feet?
You must read what our podiatrists have to say…
Description:
Our feet are similar to the wheels on a car- if the alignment is not correct
then excessive strain and pressure is placed on other body parts leading to
wear and tear.
Orthoses are prescriptive medical shoe inserts that are utilized to lend assistance in realigning lower extremity joint malfunctions. In general, orthoses act to decrease the amount of abnormal stress and strain on the lower extremity, as well as structures above. The plastic body of the custom orthotic helps to re-align the foot by redirecting and reducing certain motion that takes place during the gait cycle.
Once properly fabricated, orthoses have the ability to effectively reduce and eliminate painful lesions such as corns beneath weight-bearing pressure points. Orthoses likewise provide significant relief of painful symptoms associated with arch fatigue. Not only may pain present in the feet as a result of poor foot function, but people often report pain in the legs, knees, hips and lower back secondary to poor foot mechanics. By restoring correct foot function, often such associated pain can be relieved or prevented.
Common conditions treated with orthotic therapy:
- Localized foot pain
- Morton’s neuroma
- Bunions, hammer toes
- Arch/Orthotic
- Leg/knee pain
- Hip or back pain - even neck pain
Types of orthotics available in this clinic:
There are several different types of orthotics available, with numerous variations in materials possible. Your Podiatrist will complete a thorough biomechanical assessment to determine the alignment and function of your feet and their relation to the rest of your body. From this it may be determined which style of orthotic will best suit your needs according to the level of correction required:
Off-the-shelf:These are generic style over-the-counter devices which are not customized to the individuals’ foot type or specific needs. They can be a good starting point to trialing orthotic therapy, however these devices are a more short-term solution.
- Customised
Gaitscan orthotics:
The TOG GaitScan is a digital casting device that allows practitioners to analyze patient biomechanics and order custom orthotic products. The Gaitscan device is an in-depth method of assessing your gait cycle with a dynamic scan that offers biomechanical information that may not be obtained with the naked eye. Over a million points of data are recorded, tracking minor flaws in your biomechanics. The images are sent to an orthotic lab in Northern Canada where devices are made in relation to the specific shoe and type of activity they are required for. The constructed orthotics are then sent back within two to three weeks after ordering time.
Cast molded orthotics:A customized plaster mould is taken of both feet and a prescription is made up by the Podiatrist according to your foot type and specific requirements in order to assist in realigning your feet. The orthotic devices are then accurately constructed at a local orthotic laboratory in Perth, with a turnaround time of approximately one week. These devices are the most customized and specific devices available. The literature indicates the best evidence for successful results with casted orthotics.
Codes for custom orthotics in relation to your private health fund:
F111 – Muscle test
F114 – R.O.M study
F117 - Gait analysis
F221 – Cast plus orthotics (general health funds)
F350 – Cast plus orthotics (HBF specific code)
Fitting the orthotic:
The orthotics are placed in your shoes and worn as much as possible in order to assist in correcting your foot function. A properly prescribed and manufactured orthosis requires an appropriate shoe type and size in terms of length, width and style, to effectively accommodate the device. Once the devices are received, the Podiatrist will check the fit of the orthotics and assist you in adapting them appropriately into your desired footwear. When first introduced to your new orthotics it is essential that you wear them in progressively to allow the muscles and joints of the body time to adapt to a new posture. Your Podiatrist will give you clear instructions for the best way to wear into your orthotics.
Orthotic Treatment in Perth is now available.
Contact Central City Podiatry today
on 9221 4998
Our location :
-
Perth City Station - 9221 4998
Additional useful health services :
-
Central City Physiotherapy - 9421 1733
-
Perth Chiropractic - 9221 4527
-
Pilates