Foot Pain & Custom-Made Orthotics
Are you suffering from foot, knee or lower back pain, flat feet, bunions or plantar fasciitis? Custom-fitted Orthotics can help. Approximately 75% of people will suffer from foot-related problems at some point in their life. Foot pain that interferes with your normal activities is an indication that something is wrong and that you should seek medical help.
The foot is a complex structure made up of more than 26 bones, 33 joints (20 of which are actively articulated), and more than a hundred muscles, tendons, and ligaments. As a result of their intrinsic structure, the feet are vulnerable to injuries.
What Are Custom Orthotics?
Custom-made Orthotics are prescription medical devices that you wear inside your shoes to correct biomechanical foot issues such as problems with how you walk, stand, or run relating to the structure, function and motion of your foot. They can also help with foot pain caused by medical conditions such as diabetes, plantar fasciitis, bursitis, and arthritis. Custom Orthotics can even help conservatively manage foot pain while waiting for needed foot surgery.
What Are the Causes of Foot Pain?
There are many causes of foot pain. Acute or abnormal strain is one of the most common causes of foot pain caused by running, weight gain, injuries, arthritis, poor shoe selection, prolonged standing, age-related changes, calluses or skin problems.
Certain medical conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, spinal problems, leg deformities, neurological disorders, pregnancy, obesity and medications can cause foot pain. Other lifestyle choices can also cause a person foot disturbances. These include wearing ill-fitting shoes or high heels and doing high-impact exercises such as jogging or strenuous exercise.
What Are Common Types of Foot Pain?
Common types of foot pain include heel problems such as Achilles Tendonitis, Heel Spurs and Plantar fasciitis, or arch problems such as Flat feet, High arches, Overuse, or forefoot problems such as Metatarsalgia, Bunions and Arthritis.
How Can Appletree Help With Your Foot Pain?
Appletree Medical Group offers biomechanical and gait assessments covered by OHIP. A licensed specialist, such as a pedorthist or chiropodist, will assess your feet for any abnormalities and normal range of motion, and will perform a biomechanical evaluation and gait analysis.
Appletree Pedorthist Team
A Certified Pedorthist is a professional who has specialized training to assess your feet and gait that design and fabricate supportive insoles and devices to address conditions that affect the feet and lower limbs. The Appletree Pedorthist team is qualified to determine the appropriate orthotic and modifications you will need for each foot to help you alleviate your symptoms.
Top Reasons Why Patients Prefer Custom Orthotics
- Custom orthotics are fabricated specifically for your feet from a proper 3D laser cast giving you the precise support your need.
- Custom orthotics are designed and made from the highest quality materials and qualified Pedorthists.
- Custom orthotics are a highly effective conservative treatment to help manage and alleviate foot, lower leg, knee and back pain.
- Non-prescription orthotics may help but they do not maintain their shape and support for more than a few weeks. Our custom-made orthotics have a longer life span and maintain their support usually for 2 years or more.
Our Technology and Labs
The TOG GaitScan™ is an innovative diagnostic tool and digital casting device that allows practitioners to analyze patient biomechanics and order custom orthotic products. With 4,096 sensors and a scan rate of 300 frames per second, GaitScan™ is the industry leader in dynamic scanning capabilities. GaitScan™ is a valuable education tool that provides practitioners with a comprehensive biomechanical analysis for each patient as well as clear, concise images to assess and articulate the need for
orthotic therapy.
What does this mean for you? A new, in-depth method of assessing your gait cycle with a dynamic scan gives your health care provider access to a wealth of information that cannot be obtained with the naked eye. Over a million points of data are recorded, tracking minor flaws in your biomechanics and shedding light on issues that, if left untreated, could develop into painful conditions over time.
How Can I Access This Service?
In-Clinic
This service is available at select Appletree Medical Centres (Ottawa Region). Appointments are required.
Book Your Appointment Today
The following schedules vary frequently, always consult our website to view the most up-to-date availability. Hypertension Program appointments are available at the following Appletree Medical Centres:
Ottawa
What to Expect During Your Appointment
When you book your appointment, the first step is to identify the specific cause of your foot pain. The pedorthist will complete a biomechanical examination, gait analysis and history of your sign and symptoms. A digital pressure and force scan can be taken as well, the computerized gait analysis produces an accurate map of the foots’ pressure distribution which helps identify high-pressure areas and problematic gait patterns. You will also then be assessed by a physician on-site to provide a proper diagnosis and prescription for the custom orthotics. Once the appropriate orthotics is chosen, a cast of your feet and prescription is sent to the lab for fabrication. Whether it is a functional or accommodative orthotic for casual, running or dress shoes we have it covered. The fabrication turnaround time is approximately 3 weeks.
After Your Appointment
A follow-up fitting will be scheduled to ensure the orthotics fit correctly, provide wearing and general care instructions. A follow-up appointment will be scheduled after six weeks if you experience any discomfort. You can book or reschedule your appointment through our secure Patient Portal.
How to Book
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s a Pedorthist?
A certified pedorthist is a professional who has specialized training to assess your feet and gait that design and fabricate supportive insoles and devices to address conditions which affect the feet and lower limbs. Our pedorthist team is qualified to determine the appropriate orthotic and modifications you will need for each foot to help you alleviate your symptoms.