| This article sheds more light on the term “foot | | | | are available? |
| orthotics” – what they are, how they work, | | | | There are a number of different types of orthotics |
| the different types of orthotics available and which | | | | available, however they all are designed to achieve |
| common complaints can be treated with orthotics. | | | | the same goal. Generally, there are 2 types of |
| What does the term “orthotic” denote? | | | | orthotics: custom-made rigid orthotics and so called |
| The word orthotic comes from the Greek | | | | pre-made, off the shelf orthotics. |
| ‘ortho’ – to correct. The correct term | | | | Only podiatrists can prescribe and dispense |
| for orthotic is foot orthosis (plural: orthoses) which | | | | custom-made rigid orthotics. They are made from a |
| means a device designed to correct the foot. | | | | plaster cast (foot impression) and they can be quite |
| Orthotic insoles are a device placed inside the | | | | expensive. |
| patient’s shoes with the purpose of correcting | | | | Custom rigid orthotics is for patients withserious |
| faulty foot function. Poor foot biomechanics can be | | | | biomechanical disorders and/or foot deformities. Most |
| blamed for many common foot conditions such as | | | | people simply suffer from fallen arches |
| Plantar Fasciitis (heel pain) and Metatarsalgia (ball of | | | | (over-pronation) do not require an expensive rigid |
| foot pain). However, research has shown that bad | | | | orthotic. Research has shown that for 80% of |
| alignment of the feet also has an effect on other | | | | people suffering from over-pronation an off-the-shelf |
| parts of the body, including the knees and lower | | | | pre-made orthotic will provide sufficient correction. |
| back. Hence, orthotics is now being used to help | | | | Pre-made orthotics is also softer than |
| treat a variety of conditions, including shin splints, | | | | custom-made’s and easier to get used to. |
| knee and back pain. What does faulty foot function | | | | What is the difference between orthotics and |
| mean? | | | | cushioning footbeds? |
| The most common display of faulty foot | | | | Regular cushioning footbeds are only designed to |
| biomechanics is ‘over-pronation’. | | | | provide a cushioning effect and shock absorption. |
| Over-pronation is a condition whereby the arches are | | | | They may feel comfortable at first however they do |
| lowered and the feet and ankles rolling inwards | | | | not address the biomechanical of over-pronation, as |
| excessively during walking and running. It is believed | | | | an orthotic does. |
| by podiatrists that over 70% of the population | | | | Which conditions can be treated with orthotics? |
| actually suffers from mild to severe over-pronation. | | | | Orthotics are found to be very effective for treating |
| Over-pronation should not be confused with flat feet | | | | heel pain, heel spurs, Plantar Fasciitis, bunion pain, |
| (Pes Planus). Only 5% of the population is flat-footed, | | | | Achilles Tendonitis, Ball of Foot Pain, Morton's Neuron |
| i.e. no arch is present whatsoever under the foot. | | | | and many other foot complaints. |
| Over-pronators on the other hand do have an arch | | | | Because our feet are the foundation of our bodies |
| present, but the arch will lower significantly during | | | | many problems in the legs, knees and back are |
| walking and running, and the ankles will twist inwards. | | | | connected to faulty foot biomechanics. This is why |
| Over-pronation causes the legs to rotate internally, | | | | orthotics are now being used in the treatment of shin |
| which leads to an irregular motion in the knee joint | | | | splints, knee pain and lower back pain and many |
| and it also forces our pelvis to tilt forward which puts | | | | physiotherapists and chiropractors have started using |
| tension on the muscles in the lower back. How does | | | | orthotics. |
| orthotics work? | | | | Sources: |
| Orthotics is designed to correct faulty foot function | | | | The Journal of American Podiatric Medicine May 1999, |
| reducing the amount of ankle role and arch flattening | | | | Sobel E, Levity S T, Caselli MA Division of |
| during the gait cycle. In turn this will reduce the | | | | Orthopaedic Sciences, New York College of Podiatric |
| amount of internal rotation of the ankles, legs and | | | | Medicine. Vol. 94 Number 6542-549 2004 Journal of |
| knees. By correcting over-pronation orthotics re-align | | | | American Podiatric Medicine” The Conservative |
| the feet and ankle bones to their neutral position, | | | | Management of Plantar Fasciitis” – Pfeffer |
| restoring our natural foot function. Therefore, | | | | GB, University of California, San Francisco, CA. |
| orthotics not only helps alleviateproblems in the feet | | | | “Chronic Low-Back Pain and Its Response to |
| but also in otherparts of the body such as the knees | | | | Foot Orthotics” - HOWARD J. |
| and lower back. What different types of orthotics | | | | |