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Orthotics: Custom-Made inserts
A person can walk for about a 900-950 miles per year on an average. It is estimated that in a life time a person walks around the earth three times. The foot has to carry a good deal load from just walking and when running and sports are added, then feet really have to perform superb.
Feet differ. There are is a wide range of types of feet, which are mainly hereditary but also other factors do play a very important role. The use and abuse, footwear, activities and various diseases can alter the shape and function of the feet. Pain, symptoms and pathologies generally have their explanation of being there. Some pathologies are explained in presentations section.
Orthotics insoles (custom-made inserts) are being made by foot forward since 1969. Throughout the years, firstly Lenia and then Diamanto used the available techniques at the time. Foot prints measurements and later on casting (evolution of foot forward). Since 2001, our work is combining our professional skills together with technology. We have introduced the pressure distribution platforms, shape scanning and cad cam manufacturing for custom made orthotics.
Orthotics are made by prescription only that fits into shoes – that are discussed with the patient up front- to improve the biomechanics of the foot and the lower limb. Especially for adults it can be compared to using eyeglasses. They help the natural supportive tissues to perform at their best, like eyeglasses help the vision. In both cases they help the symptoms but do not alter the anatomy. They help the function of the lower limbs. Orthotics let your body fix any excessive damage with the intention that the tissues are fit all over again. Without using some type of extra support, it is to a certain extent likely that the symptoms will return. This does not imply that you have to wear custom orthotics for life, however it is to be expected that some extra support will be needed to keep your feet in good physical shape.
There is a wide range of uses, for example for biomechanical abnormalities i.e. flat feet, high arched feet as well as in leg length discrepancies. Insoles can also be made after accidents or trauma to help in the rehabilitation process. They have an extremely important role in diabetes as they help prevent ulceration in high-risk feet, help in healing along with other treatments for would managements and most importantly prevent re-ulceration. High-risk feet are identified by a simple clinical examination. Accommodative insoles are also made for people with arthropathies, e.g. rheumatoid arthritis foot deformities, in order to cushion any deformities present and offload the painful joints.
When used in sports, they are able to improve foot function to the maximum and therefore provide the best outcome for the athlete’s performance.
Foot forward is acknowledging that every individual's feet and surely needs are different, there is a necessity to make custom orthotics to lessen stress depending on the person's requirements. The daily activity, the footwear, the pain, the clinical evaluation and the technology analysis, the symptoms, often without pain in case of diabetes and the family history is also taken in consideration. In severe cases, custom-made shoes along with orthotics, are made to contain particular foot abnormalities.
Different types of materials are available according to the needs of each individual patient ranging from soft densities to hard densities. Soft materials can be used for pain relief, in diabetes and arthropathies. Medium densities may be used for general foot function correction. Hard densities may be used in sports or where pressure absorption is needed.
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