Orthoses

Both customised and non-customised orthoses may be of benefit in treatment, although a customised prescription will be more bespoke with the support and control provided. Orthoses are used in the treatment of a variety of musculoskeletal conditions commonly involving the feet, knees, lower limbs and spine. They are produced from a variety of materials of varying densities, and which should be prescribed following examination according to the persons individual needs.

It should always be remembered that treatment with orthoses may take some months before the benefits are seen.

Semi Rigid Orthoses

These othoses give a lot of support and control. With some people these may initially take a little longer to adapt to than other types of othoses, but are more durable and supportive.

Soft Orthoses

These primarily help with shock absorption and take pressure off uncomfortable or sore spots. They are particularly helpful with people who have arthritis, diabetes or neurological conditions affecting the feet or quality of the persons walking.

Sports Orthoses

Sports orthoses should provide for dynamic balance of the foot and lower limb according to the demands of each sport. For example the requirements and technique of a 100m sprinter are different to those of a marathon runner which in turn are different to those performing in multi-directional sports such as football, rugby, tennis, squash and edge control sports such as skiing and skating.

Orthoses for womens fashion shoes

These slim type orthotics work best in high heel shoes where accomodation of the orthotics in the shoes is paramount.

Children's feet and orthoses

A child's foot is more flexible and mobile than an adult foot. It may appear flat because there is a fatty pad which disappears around the age of two. In fact, you may not see the arch until a child is six years old. As the child's foot grows it gradually develops into the less flexible foot of adult life. During this time badly fitting shoes can easily distort growing feet and may lead onto the foot problems suffered by many adults.

It is important to measure children's feet for new shoes and footwear, including trainers, and these should be replaced regularly in the growing years. Tight socks, babygrows and pyjamas with 'feet' may also cause the child's feet to be squashed and lead to problems later.

Orthoses are effective in the treatment of children's foot, lower limb and gait problems. The conditions often treated using foot othoses include intoe-ing (pigeon-toed), out toe-ing, tripping, knock knees, poor posture, bow-leggedness, pelvic imbalances and scoliosis (excessive curvature of the spine).

Biomechanical screening is important to rule out whether or not treatment is necessary and if it is, to treat early in an attempt to avoid foot, knee and back problems later on in life.