Custom Foot Orthoses

Custom Foot Orthoses are beneficial for treatment of many medical conditions and injuries.

These conditions can be (but are not limited to):

Anatomy and Biomechanics of the Foot	There are 26 bones in the foot that create many joints. There are many muscles, tendons, ligaments and nerves in the foot. The foot can be broken into three parts: Rearfoot/hindfoot Midfoot Forefoot Arches of the foot: Medial longitudinal arch Lateral longitudinal arch Transverse metatarsal arch
Goals of Custom Foot Orthosis Treatment	Control biomechanical alignment of the foot and ankle in locomotion (pronation, supination) Aid in adaption to surfaces Redistribute pressures on the foot Resist external forces on the foot and ankle Limit excessive movements in the foot and ankle Protect the foot and ankle Provide shock absorption
Design of Custom Foot Orthosis	Custom foot orthotics are designed to correct the alignment of the foot and ankle. A Certified Orthotist will take a 3-D mould of the feet. This can be performed with the patient in a supine position or in a seated position. The Certified Orthotist will ensure the foot is in a corrected position and the subtalar joint will be in neutral. Certified Orthotists can accomplish corrections to the foot with intrinsic and extrinsic modifications. Intrinsic modifications are changes made to the positive mould of the foot. Extrinsic modifications are accommodative padding added to the custom foot orthotic. Examples of accommodative padding: Metatarsal pad 2-5 bar Metatarsal head cutout Morton’s extension Heel cushion Forefoot extension Scaphoid pad
Custom Foot Orthosis Application	Custom foot orthotics work best when used within a neutral shoe with an appropriate heel counter. Foot orthotics can be switched between shoes. It is best to remove the insole of the shoe to allow room for the custom foot orthotic.
Living with Custom Foot Orthosis (follow up)	The correction provided by the custom foot orthotics may take some time to get used to. The foot orthotics should not be painful; however, it is not uncommon to feel some initial discomfort. The break-in period should not last more than two weeks. If you are experiencing pain after two weeks please book a follow up appointment with your Certified Orthotist. It is always recommended to book a follow up appointment with your Certified Orthotist if you experience any changes in condition (pain, growth). The Certified Orthotist can determine what changes need to be made or make recommendations for alternative treatment. Custom foot orthotics can often be modified or refurbished. The Certified Orthotist can reassess determine the course of treatment with you.
Funding for Custom Foot Orthotics	Alberta Aids to Daily Living does not provide funding for custom foot orthotics. Private insurance may pay for or a portion of the cost of your custom foot orthotics. It is important to consult your insurance company to determine the coverage that they provide. Many insurance companies require a physician's prescription for custom foot orthotic benefits. Some insurance companies may request a biomechanical analysis from the Certified Orthotist. There may be an added cost for the Certified Orthotist to provide this report.