What is an Orthotic?
A foot orthotic is a prescribed medical appliance, custom-made, that fits into a person’s footwear.
It’s purpose is to focus the hind foot, midfoot and forefoot, and the lower extremities, in a desirable manner to relieve foot pain, give people really foot posture. It works for their feet pretty much the same way that glasses work for the eyes.
The most common myth about orthotics is that they’re only for seniors. In fact orthotics can be used for all ages and for a variety of activities and virtually any type of shoe that you can think of.
Just like the feet they help, orthotics are made in a variety of shapes and sizes. It depends on the footwear they are going into and the conditions we’re trying to treat.
Custom orthotics range from hard plastic and carbon laminates to soft foam depending on the patient’s requirements and physical characteristics. They fit into a variety of shoes, from children’s shoes, athletic shoes, soccer shoes, skates, ski boots, ladies’ and men’s dress shoes and protective footwear.
Canadian Certified Pedorthists are one of the few health professionals who are certified and trained to make and design custom-made foot orthotics and modify footwear. We do this with specialized equipment so that we can ensure that the orthotics have a perfect fit so that we can treat their lower limb and foot problem effectively.
