PAC Blog
Do you have a stress fracture?
If you have pain in a specific spot in your foot or lower leg that you barely noticed at first but is getting worse over time, yet decreases when you rest, you may have a stress fracture. A stress fracture is a tiny crack in the bone, typically so small it cannot be seen by X-ray for 4-6 weeks. Unlike other fractures that are caused by a single event, stress fractures are caused by repetitive activities such as walking and running that exceed the bone’s ability to recover. Although anyone [...]
Compression therapy can help your body recover
If you are recovering from a surgical procedure, participating in a running race, taking a long flight or have a job that requires you stand for long periods of time, compression therapy can help your body recover. Compression socks, stockings, pantyhose and bandages help move blood up your leg towards your heart. Compression therapy falls into two main categories: medical and performance. Although both categories frequently use the same products, the outcome and purpose are often vastly different. […]
Will rocker soles benefit me?
In recent years there has been a lot of buzz about “rocker soles”. However, there is still a lot of confusion about them and many people don’t know if rocker soles are appropriate for them. I hope this blog clears up some of the confusion. There are two types of rocker soles. The first is an unstable rocker sole. These soles are designed to introduce instability under the foot, in all directions, so your core muscles have to work harder. These types of shoes are best worn by people who [...]
Shoe Wear Patterns are a Guide to Future Foot Problems
A lot of people are aware that feet that roll excessively inwards, causing the arches to flatten (overpronation), can eventually cause pain and mobility issues. However, few people realize that the opposite situation, feet that do not roll in at all (underpronation) can cause serious problems too. During a normal, healthy stride, when the heel touches the ground, the midfoot and heel will roll slightly down and inwards to absorb the shock of the step. This is known as pronation. However, when the foot does not roll inwards, and in [...]
When should my child see a Canadian Certified Pedorthist?
As a child grows and develops, it is normal for their feet and legs to go through considerable changes. From birth to about 10-years-old, the long arch of the foot is expected to transition from “flat footedness” to “normal”. It is during this slow and gradual process that a child may complain of pain or a caregiver may notice something doesn’t look quite right. It is the role of a Canadian Certified Pedorthist C. Ped (C) to assess and treat the child if necessary. […]
Can I wear dress shoes with my orthotics?
If your Canadian Certified Pedorthist recommends custom foot orthotics for you during your assessment it is important to discuss the type of footwear you will be wearing with them. Although orthotics are most effective when worn with sturdy, supportive walking shoes, if you require dress shoes for work (either flats or heels), your Pedorthist can make orthotics for them. As dress shoes typically do not have a removable liner and are sized to fit snugly on the foot, there is little extra room to fit an orthotic, so Pedorthists make [...]
If I wear orthotics do I need expensive shoes?
Recently, when I was fitting a patient for custom foot orthotics, he asked me if his orthotics would only work in expensive shoes. This is a common concern for many of my patients especially for those who are living on a fixed income. Although foot orthotics are only as good as the shoes they are worn in, this doesn’t necessarily mean the shoes have to be expensive. In fact, “expensive” does not always equal “better” when it comes to shoes. […]
What are your socks made out of?
Socks may only peak out from the bottom of a pair of pants or be hidden entirely in a pair of boots but they are an important part of our wardrobe. Socks keep our feet warm and dry and protect them from painful, and potentially serious, rubs and ulcers. Although you may not give much thought to your socks, you should take them seriously. One of your biggest considerations should be the material your socks are made from. Cotton socks are by far the most popular because they are inexpensive [...]
My feet hurt all the time – will custom shoes help me?
If your feet hurt continually you may be wondering if custom shoes will help. Although persistent foot pain can be eased through pedorthic treatment, custom-made footwear is traditionally reserved for individuals who are physically unable to get their foot into a retail or orthopaedic shoe due to a structural (bony) deformity. These people would not be able to wear shoes if we did not build a shoe around their foot. […]
Winter boot primer
Many people wait until the arrival of the first snow before pulling out their winter boots, and the minute the snow has melted in the spring, quickly move them to the back of the closet until the following winter. Although trying to keep winter at bay for as long as possible may give you a psychological lift, it is important to pull out your winter footwear well before the onset of winter to make sure it doesn’t need replacing. […]
Does tip toeing hurt? Pain when standing on tiptoes
If you have pain running along your inner leg and ankle to your arch and midfoot you may have tibialis posterior tendonopathy, a painful overuse injury. Try standing on your tiptoes. With tibialis posterior tendonopathy it is difficult and painful to get up and you experience pain when standing on tiptoes. The tibialis posterior is a pencil thin tendon that runs down the inside of your leg and under your foot. It helps to stabilize your foot and keep the longitudinal arch from rolling inwards when you walk or run. [...]
Pedorthic treatment depends on two-way communication
I’m a firm believer in the old adage “communication is a two-way street.” When I started working as a Pedorthist in 1997, I learned very quickly the importance of clearly communicating to my patients when a patient, who came into my clinic with a prescription for custom-made orthotics, asked if orthotics were special shoes. Although Pedorthists are trained to clearly explain their assessment and treatment plan, as a patient, it is equally important you tell your Pedorthist if you don’t fully understand something. Before you leave their clinic, make sure [...]