TORONTO FOOT SPECIALIST SHARES GREEN SHIELDS ORTHOTIC GUIDE LINES, PART 1

BENEFITS 101 –

Orthotics and Orthopedic Footwear

Here, we demystify the world of orthotics and orthopedic footwear.

Custom Orthotics

A removable functional foot care device worn inside a shoe made from a 3-D cast impression of a patient’s foot and constructed from raw materials based on the patient’s individual specifications. Intended to support, align, prevent and/or accommodate foot abnormalities and improve how the foot functions.

Orthotics are prescribed to treat diagnosed medical conditions such as structural weaknesses or deformities, traumatic injuries, overuse syndromes, and complications from systemic diseases such as diabetes.

How are orthotics dispensed? A patient who is prescribed custom orthotics must go to a foot care specialist trained specifically to assess, design, manufacture, and fit orthotics.

What happens at an orthotics assessment?

Here is what to expect:

Medical History: a complete investigation of the patient’s medical history, symptoms, previous injuries, lifestyle (occupation, activities), and footwear.

Biomechanical Examination: complete hands-on evaluation of the lower limb, including foot structure, alignment, strength, range of motion, and identification of abnormalities.

Gait Analysis: observation of patient while walking to identify accommodations or abnormalities.

Orthotic Evaluation: determination of treatment options, as well as explanation of how the treatment will address the specific needs of the patient.

Casting: a three-dimensional cast or mold of the patient’s foot is necessary to fabricate a truly custom-made orthotic. The dispenser makes the cast based on the contour and structure of the patient’s foot. Casting techniques include foam box casting, plaster of paris slipper casting, contact digitizing and laser screening.

Manufacturing: the foot orthotics must be constructed completely from raw materials fabricated directly from the cast. It will take a minimum of one week between the assessment and fitting appointments.

Dispensing: the foot orthotic should be fit to the patient and their footwear and the patient should be evaluated while walking with the orthotic. The provider typically schedules a follow fitting appointment within two to six weeks.

Education: the patient should be taught the appropriate break-in routine, orthotic longevity, footwear fit, and footwear features.

Orthopedic Footwear

Footwear used to accommodate, control, or support the therapeutic needs of a foot deformity or abnormality in the lower extremities, and manufactured by recognized and reputable orthopedic footwear manufacturers. The footwear may be modified or adjusted to fit the patient’s feet.

Orthopedic footwear may be prescribed for bone deformities, neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis, osteoarthritis, and foot complications caused by diabetes.

Who can dispense orthopedic footwear? A patient who is prescribed orthopedic footwear must go to a foot care specialist trained to assess, design, modify and fit orthopedic footwear.

Custom Footwear

Prescribed for patients who cannot be accommodated by regular (or modified) orthopedic footwear due to
the severity of their foot condition and who cannot function without them. This includes structural deformities resulting from congenital, systemic disease, arthritic disease, traumatic foot injury, asymmetry or aging, or post- surgical amputations.

Who can dispense/manufacture custom footwear? The construction of custom shoes requires a high degree of specialized expertise from the provider. Patients must go to an authorized foot specialist who will assess their condition, create a unique cast of their feet, and have the custom footwear manufactured from scratch using raw materials.