|
What are Orthotics? 
Orthotics are customized insoles worn in any type of shoe and they correct the way a patient walks. If a patient is walking incorrectly, their entire body can be out of alignment causing all types of problems including foot, ankle, leg, hip, and lower back pain. A 5-minute gait and pressure analysis test will tell you if you are a candidate for Orthotics. Orthotics are covered by most insurance plans because insurance companies know the value of Orthotics therapy in the prevention and treatment of many conditions that can lend to short-term or even long-term disability claims.
Since feet are the major weight-bearing part of the body, foot pain is common; half of Canadians have missed at least a day of work because of foot problems. The foot contains 26 bones and many small structures which support and balance the weight of the entire body. Walking puts up to 1.5 times one's body weight on the foot, and humans walk an average of 1,000 miles per year.
Foot pain is not normal and should not be ignored. Problems can affect the functioning of other parts of the body, including the hips, knees, and back. Foot problems that may lead to biomechanical issues throughout the body such as the knees, hips, and back. Chiropractors, physical therapists, and sports medicine practitioners will often prescribed custom foot Orthotics as part of a treatment regimen.
Simpler foot Orthotics allows the muscles, tendons and bones of the feet and lower legs to function at their highest potential. When appropriately prescribed, Orthotics can decrease pain, not only in the foot, but in other parts of the body such as the knee, hip and lower back. They can also increase stability in an unstable joint, prevent a deformed foot from developing additional problems, and improve quality of life overall.
Orthotics are prescribed to:
Reduce the symptoms associated with many foot related pathologies.
Provide support
Accommodate foot deformity
Provide better positioning
Relieve pressure on a certain area of the foot
Improve the overall biomechanical function of the feet and lower extremities
Our group of clinics use the Footmaxx system.  The Footmaxx System offers the only means by which to assess a patient's gait and fabricate a custom Orthotics device using computerized, dynamic, weight-bearing data instead of a static, non-weight bearing mold of the shape of the foot. This is key to making truly effective orthotics because it's not the shape of the foot that causes the problem; it's how the foot functions while bearing weight.
When digitized patient scan data is received at the Footmaxx manufacturing facility, a detailed Gait and Pressure Analysis containing diagnostic information is generated. This report becomes part of the permanent patient file as well as supporting documentation for government and insurance claims.
The Footmaxx system offers a consistent and repeatable assessment that takes only moments and is based on science. Taking an accurate assessment with the Footmaxx system is not an "art." Because this scientific modality is so accurate and because it measures foot function, the Orthotics produced are thinner, lighter, and more specific to each patient's biomechanical abnormality, and can be worn in everyday shoes.
An E-gait is an electronic version of our three page paper gait and pressure analysis report generated by Footmaxx's special proprietary software. By using the Footmaxx E-gait service we can ensure you will receive your patient gait and pressure analysis reports in as little time as 24 hours. E-gaits have greater versatility in that they can be viewed on-line or by printed hard copy.
|
