If you suffer from severe foot conditions or injuries, orthotics could be an ideal solution. Unlike the inserts you find at stores without a valid prescription, customised orthotics are specifically tailored to support and fit perfectly into the feet.
Finding shoes that fit properly can be an intricate process; here are a few helpful hints on orthotics fitting Adelaide:
During the Fitting Process
Foot and ankle orthoses are devices designed to ensure the bones in your feet, ankles and knees remain properly aligned to reduce pain and discomfort, promote better balance to avoid falls and lower stress on muscles that result from unnatural movements while improving performance.
Your orthotics fitting Adelaide pedorthist will assess any foot, ankle and knee conditions you are experiencing and discuss how a custom orthotic could benefit them. They will take measurements, cast or scan you and use this data to create your orthotic.
Please bring all your shoes with you so your pedorthist can customise orthotics to fit all of them interchangeably. They may add or remove straps as necessary, and wearing longer socks may help limit skin irritation at the shoe/orthotic interface.
During the Design Process
Design is an integral component of orthotic fitting. The design process ensures that devices meet medical, comfort, and functional criteria while taking into account stakeholders involved with its development process.
One of the primary challenges associated with off-the-shelf orthotics is that they are only designed for one specific shoe size, creating an imbalance that leads to discomfort, pain or injury.
MCOP offers an extensive selection of orthotic solutions explicitly tailored to meet the needs of each patient and designed for comfort and easy wearability – so that you can achieve all the benefits of treatment and return to a normal mobility level as soon as possible.
At first, our orthotics fitting Adelaide specialists conduct an in-person evaluation of your foot and its needs, taking accurate measurements, creating a 3D scan or mould and designing an orthotic. Once this stage is completed, the orthotics are manufactured either through digital fabrication or direct milling, the latter option being more durable due to the use of thermoplastic such as polypropylene.
During the Delivery Process
Physical therapists will send your cast to an orthotics lab, where specialists review its prescription and begin fabricating. Their process ensures ideal stiffness where required while providing flexibility when necessary.
Once your device is completed, an appointment will be scheduled so you can receive it and review any initial wear schedule adjustments or guidelines. A physical therapist will make any necessary changes or guide its use.
Your orthotics can extend their lifespan by following these care and maintenance practices. Avoid leaving them in extreme heat as this could weaken their materials; wipe down regularly after exposure to dirt or dust with mild detergent, then rinse in cool water afterwards – never submerge your orthotics in water or leave them exposed directly to sunlight!
During the Break-In Process
Orthotics are designed to change your feet’s functionality by correcting their posture, which may initially cause discomfort. Over time, however, this change will lead to a more balanced gait with reduced foot/ankle/knee/back pain.
If you experience foot/arch pain during a break-in, reduce wear time and consult your physician. Also, try using orthotics during regular daily activities rather than running or other vigorous physical activity until your feet and body adjust to them – this will prevent overuse, which may result in over-strain to feet and ankles, leading to discomfort.
Orthotics (orthotic shoe inserts) are designed to support your arch, increase the contact area of your feet with the ground and redistribute weight more evenly across your entire foot. It can help alleviate pressure on sensitive areas of your feet and ankles, decrease pain and discomfort and prevent common pathologies like bunions and hammertoes from developing or getting worse over time. In many cases, orthotics can be a more effective treatment option than surgery for foot problems.