| Our feet are amazing! Many of us spend hours every day on our feet with rarely a complaint.
Yes, often at the end of a long day feet grumble in a way that makes taking off our shoes a distinct pleasure. But after even a short rest, the feet swing back into action and are ready for off again.
That is the beauty of perfect design. Unfortunately, either through incorrect loading, bad footwear or passed-on hereditary malformations, some people have less than ideal feet. |
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| | Sometimes it is the bone formation or architecture alone, sometimes poor muscle contraction or being overweight can bring on pain and problems. | Flat feet, bunions, hammer toes, skin rubbing or blisters, and callosities (rough skin) are all signs of foot dysfunction. Some of these signs can be corrected by a muscle strengthening programme. Others need this and more, often in the form of a customised insole (known as an orthotic) in a shoe, that improves foot function.
So, what are orthotics? Well, the basic definition is that orthotics are inserts placed in the shoe to alter foot function.
The simplest way to explain what orthotics are and do, is to compare them to spectacles. Eyestrain develops from an inability of the lens in the eye to cope with the visual demands placed on them. The solution is to wear glasses which comprise a corrective lens. This external lens, working with the internal lens of the eye, together creates 20/20 vision and ends the discomfort of eye strain.
Orthotics support and alter the bony architecture of the foot so that the mechanical function of the region improves. This improves alignment of the leg to the foot and even up into the hip region, lower back and higher up the spine. Just like the spectacle wearer, improved function of the feet and legs results in improved muscle performance and general comfort.
Does everyone need orthotics? Again, just like with glasses, certainly not. Lots of people will never need orthotics. Even if feet are less than perfect, a very sedentary lifestyle where much of the day is spent sitting or mooching around puts minimal pressure on the feet. In such cases minor foot imperfections will not cause any problems and so may not require correcting. Orthotics come into their own where people stand for prolonged periods of time or are on the move all day.
So how or where do you get orthotics? To return to the glasses analogy, nowadays while it is convenient to be able to purchase simple straightforward reading glasses in the pharmacy, if you need glasses for more than occasional reading you are advised to get prescription spectacles from a registered dispensing Optician, who will measure the eye in detail to ensure that the glasses are a perfect match for your eyes.
The same is true with orthotics. Many Pharmacists provide simple shoe inserts. Some offer computerised foot scanning but in either case this type of off-the- shelf orthotic is much less accurate than one prescribed by a Podiatrist or Chartered Physiotherapists after a full foot and lower limb assessment. For best results, assessment of function of the rest of the lower limbs combined with a measure of foot performance gives a more complete picture of dysfunction.
Assessment for prescription orthotics is done by a Chartered Physiotherapist or Podiatrist. The assessment, prescription process and ongoing care may include a specific exercise programme tailored to the individual’s foot and leg dysfunction.
Inserts can be made out of a range of different high performance materials, some better for one activity than another, so the Chartered Physiotherapist or Podiatrist will need to know quite a bit about the person’s lifestyle in order to make the best decision on their behalf.
Orthotics can improve sports performance, whether it is in running type activities such as athletics, football or tennis or even straight-forward walking activities such as golf or hill walking. The type of activity, shoe style, age, weight and actual diagnosis are all important considerations in prescribing orthotics.
One final point of note. Orthotics act to control and improve foot function, in tandem with a well fitting shoe. A frequently asked question is whether a slightly bigger shoe is needed to fit the orthotic in. Even though there is limited space available for an orthotic within a shoe, purchasing a bigger shoe reduces the positive combined controlling effect of the shoe and the orthotic and so reduces the potential impact of the intervention.
The overall point of foot assessment is to restore full foot function, to bring back ‘happy feet’. If your feet are less than comfortable, I strongly advise that you deal with them sooner rather than later.
Correctly prescribed orthotics can have a dramatic effect on quality of life and can prevent or reduce bone and joint damage in the future.
Copyright TherapyXperts
Lorraine Carroll is a Consultant Chartered Physiotherapist and practices at TherapyXperts Mount Merrion. Tel: 0818 333 611.
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