melbourne orthotics
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT ORTHOTICS
While most Podiatrists recognise the importance of controlling abnormal foot function, many are in the podiatry profession are frustrated with the limited amount of published information explaining the details of orthotic design and fabrication. As a result, the interested Podiatrist has been forced to rely on the conflicting and often misleading information supplied by competing orthotic laboratories. For example, one orthotic laboratory may claim that the rigid acrylic orthotic shells should always be avoided because they act as crutches and produce compensatory knee hypermobility injuries while another laboratory may claim that these shells are the only ones capable of precisely controlling excessive subtalar joint motion and therefore act to prevent knee hypermobility injuries. Another issue of confusion is related to techniques for capturing a negative impression of the foot. Some practitioners use foam and the knee is pressed down into it thus pronating the foot this is incorrect, a non weight bearing cast should be taken as this captures the foot in a neutral position. Most Podiatrists use this technique, we do not want the foot to over pronate and this is the best way of achieving this.
Foot scan enables the podiatrist to make the best orthotic possible as well as identifying possible foot problems, these orthoses may be used for runners, tri athletes children even patients with bunions. Orthotics can help patients with back problems, foot pain, heel pain, shin splints. Orthotics can be made from many different materials such as EVA which is flexible. Each person must be individually assessed to determine the best material to make their orthotic from. They must get used to the orthotics slowly and the should not run in the new orthotics initially. This is most important if the patient is to wear the orthotics successfully. Not everyone will need orthotics or will benefit from them but an experienced practitioner will work out if you are a suitable candidate very quickly.
CHILDREN
It is important that if any doubt exists as to a child’s walking or if they have Flat Feet they should be checked at an early age by a Podiatrist.
RUNNERS
All recreational runners should have their feet checked for function and their biomechanics should be checked by having a thouough biomechanical assessment. Preventative sports medicine should be used as running puts an enormous strain on the foot, rather than suffer injuries due to poor foot posture. It is important to have the joint range of motion assessed, and muscle testing should be carried out. The painful back is common among athletes. Often the problem arises from faulty mechanics, the effect on the back may be so limiting that a sore back affects all aspects of the runners life. Shin splints and Runners heel pain are another common conditions that may be caused in a foot that over pronates this may seriously affect the athletes ability to compete.