PAC Blog
Orthotics for People with Diabetes – Why are they Different?
Orthotics for diabetes may be different for a few reasons. People living with diabetes may have: delayed healing in their hands and feet possible loss of sensation in the feet with these symptoms, diabetics are more prone to having injuries that will not heal quickly susceptibility to infections possible changes in the bones of their feet which can cause friction with shoes resulting in irritation and even wounds Many people with diabetes have reduced circulation or sensation in their feet (called neuropathy), and are not able to feel if something [...]
Pedorthic Benefits for Diabetic Foot Health
Diabetes is a disease that is increasing in prevalence in Canadians. An estimated 2.3 million Canadians currently live with diabetes and more than 14 per cent of those are at risk of developing a foot ulcer that will result in the amputation of a foot or leg. Long term complications in people with diabetes frequently manifest in foot problems such as infections and ulcerations that can lead to amputation. In fact, foot problems are the leading cause of hospitalization for Canadians living with diabetes. Pedorthists work as part of comprehensive [...]
Alleviate Arthritis Pain with Custom Orthotics
There is a special need for orthotics for patients with arthritis. Depending on the patient’s needs, custom orthotics may help alleviate pain and discomfort in several ways including: Shock Absorption Generally, custom orthotics created for patients with arthritis are softer and made from different materials than other orthotics. This construction difference is designed to optimize shock absorption and decrease the shock going into the foot. Shock in the foot is something that aggravates pain in the affected area. Orthotics for patients with arthritis are more likely to be accommodative orthotic [...]
Tell-tale Signs You Might Need Orthotics
Orthotics are a great way to deal with mechanical issues in your feet that may be causing or will cause pain. Without a trained eye, how can you determine if orthotics can be beneficial? Here are some visible and pain signs that may indicate the need for orthotics. Visible signs Arch collapse There are three arches in the foot, but there are two that are more commonly supported with orthotics. The third ends up being supported with an orthotic, but is typically not the main focus. Collapse of the medial [...]
Meet a Pedorthist – Jenna Dibblee, C. Ped (C)
While pursuing an education in athletic therapy, Jenna Dibblee, C. Ped (C), found herself struggling with sidelining athletes due to pain or injury. She always strived to find a safe solution to allow participation. Her interest in bracing led her to start job shadowing a pedorthist during her undergraduate studies in Kingston, ON. Learning from a mentor opened her eyes to a field she was unaware of at the beginning of her educational path. After receiving her pedorthic certification, Jenna began working as a pedorthist in Ottawa, making custom orthotics [...]
Footwear Help for Leg Length Differences
Leg length differences are not uncommon in adults and children. Most of these differences are small enough that nothing needs to be done with them because the body is able to compensate. With children it is possible to see one leg be longer than the other and the difference to go away with the next growth spurt. Adults are not so lucky and it’s possible to have a sudden change in leg length because of vehicle accidents, falls and other bone breaks. If the leg length difference (LLD) is significant [...]
Gardening and Foot Health
Gardening can be a messy hobby. It requires many hours outdoors with unpredictable weather – especially as we head into fall and prepare our gardens for winter. Here are some tips to keep your feet protected and feeling great in the yard. Choose your footwear carefully - Even if you believe your shoes will get dirty, wear good, supportive shoes and avoid sliding on flip flops, crocs or someone else’s shoes because they’re convenient. When you’re gardening you need to be careful to protect your feet from potentially sharp objects, [...]
Meet a Pedorthist – Laura Pantano, C. Ped (C)
In her years after high school, Laura Pantano, C. Ped (C), was unsure what career path to take. She went to college for dental assisting, but after completing the program she decided to apply to Brock University’s Kinesiology program. Having grown up playing soccer and sustaining a few injuries along the way, Laura was always interested in researching ways to improve her recovery. After graduating, she was offered an apprenticeship at a pedorthics clinic. Though this opportunity did not work out, Laura was set on a career path and studied [...]
Preventing & treating common foot skin conditions: Blisters, Corns, Calluses
Blisters, corns and calluses are common skin conditions that are irritating for many people. The following sections will explain what they are, how they develop, and what to do to prevent and treat them! What are the differences? Corns develop from a twisting or pinching friction over a longer time, calluses develop from pressure over a longer time and blisters develop from rubbing at a larger area over a shorter time. Visibly, corns have a dot in the middle, calluses are thickened skin and blisters have liquid between the skin [...]
Physical Distancing Foot Health
During this new era of physical distancing, here are a few suggestions to help improve your foot health: Morning stretches – If you aren’t having to rush in the morning, take a moment before or after breakfast to perform foot exercises that will give you a jump start on your feet feeling great all day. The exercises are similar to those typically prescribed for Plantar fasciitis or a Metatarsalgia injury such as rolling your foot on a massage ball, gently stretching the toes back to produce a soft pull on [...]
Meet a Pedorthist – Heidi Scott, C. Ped (C)
Heidi Scott, C. Ped (C), found herself driven toward a career in pedorthics after gaining experience early on working with mobility challenged children. After founding HealthQuest in 1995, she operated as an independent health supply business in Newfoundland and Labrador. After 20 years of building the now well-known and respected HealthQuest, Heidi sold her business and relocated to Ontario. There, she works as an independent vendor licensee with the Hudson’s Bay Company. For Heidi, the most rewarding thing about being a pedorthist is her relationship with her clients. She says a pedorthist should always appreciate their clients’ [...]
Hiking Shoes: The Good and the Bad
There is a plethora of footwear on the market today, and while fashion is a substantial factor in people’s footwear selections, the function of footwear must also be taken into consideration. As a pedorthist, I often see patients who are in pain because they have focused on footwear fashion rather than function during busy days at work and recreational activities. For example, one of the most frequent problems I see in my patients are people wearing a slip-on casual shoe for their after-work walks. Any form of prolonged walking requires [...]