Foot Orthotics by Adelaide Podiatrists

Foot Orthotics Adelaide

About Orthotic Therapy…

“Not everyone needs orthotics”

But if you do need orthotic therapy, make sure your orthotics are prescribed by experienced podiatrists who understand the big impact that small changes in force can produce.

What Are Orthotics?

Orthotic insoles (aka “Orthoses” or “Orthotics”) are shoe inserts that provide specific, customised forces and support in an effort to improve stability, reduce pain and improve foot and leg function for when you are on your feet.

There are many different types of orthotic insoles and dozens of different custom orthotic modifications which can be applied making it quite complicated when it comes to choosing the right prescription and orthotic support. This is why choosing podiatrists experienced in orthotic prescription in so essential. It can mean the difference between a successful and unsuccessful outcome.

How Do Orthotics Help? 

Correctly prescribed orthotics control forces acting upon the feet and legs and help to promote normal, healthy, pain free movement. Prescription orthotics should help to decrease damaging forces and improve gait efficiency, whether walking or running.

When orthotics work properly, the changes in ground reaction forces help to reduce fatigue and chronic overuse injuries. If orthotics are worn out or prescribed incorrectly, they can fail to produce the desired result. The feet and legs are very dynamic structures forever changing which is why orthotic function and efficiency should be reviewed regularly every 6 to 12 months.

By encouraging healthy movement, orthotics can help to relieve pain, improve balance and prevent injuries.

Before introducing orthotics, the podiatrists at Posture Podiatry will assess your walking pattern, muscle strength and joint range of motion to investigate your body’s ability to fix itself first.

Some foot problems can be successfully managed with a combination of foot exercises, mobilisation and other simple treatment modalities. Other foot and leg problems require orthotic therapy to control damaging forces, promote healing and prevent overuse type injuries.

Where Can I Get Orthotics in Adelaide?

If you’re unfamiliar with podiatry and orthotic therapy and simply unsure as to whether or not we can help, it may be worth considering Posture Podiatry’s Initial Low or No Gap* Assessment to see if your problems may benefit from orthotic therapy.

Our Initial Low or No Gap* Assessment involves a comprehensive client history, foot assessment, leg assessment, gait analysis, likely diagnosis and advice on potential pain solutions. It’s simply a low risk and affordable way to find out if we can help.

You can either BOOK ONLINE for an Initial Low or No Gap* Assessment or simply Call 8362 5900 to schedule an initial Low or No Gap* examination with one of our friendly staff.

Why Consider Orthotics?

Some structural problems cannot be fixed using exercises alone. This is when orthotics and properly fitted footwear can make life much more comfortable.

The key to a successful outcome with orthotics lies in the following:

• The experience of the prescribing Podiatrist
• The accuracy of the gait analysis and biomechanical assessment
• The quality of the materials used
• The precision of the process of manufacture
• Correct fitting of orthoses to footwear
• Accurate assessment in review and follow up
• The ability to adjust the orthotics to stay current with your body’s changing needs.

All of the above can be achieved with certainty in the hands of an experienced Podiatrist at Posture Podiatry.

Depending on your condition, at Posture Podiatry we can use either traditional plaster techniques or the latest 3D scanning technology to create comfortable orthotics. Your foot orthotics are tailored specifically to suit your individual requirements to ensure we resolve your problem quickly and achieve the best possible outcome.

Other Common Orthotic Questions…

What’s the difference between a store-bought arch support and custom orthotic?

A simple store-bought arch support is very non-specific and acts to support the arch to a minor degree to ensure tolerance is likely with the general population. Arch supports generally have a much shorter effective lifespan.

A custom orthotic prescription is designed to address any abnormal forces on the body which produce pain or abnormal foot and leg function. They also act to support the specific foot structure whether the arch is very high, very low or somewhere in between. Customised orthotic therapy can be very helpful with pain reduction and load redistribution especially when dealing with chronic pain and common musculoskeletal injuries.

When is orthotic therapy used?

They can be used for many foot and leg problems where abnormal forces or overuse contribute to pain, however, orthotics alone are not a magic bullet. They are often used in conjunction with foot mobilisation, stretching and strengthening exercises and other various treatment modalities in an effort to achieve long term relief and less reliance on practitioner intervention.

Some types of footwear are just not suitable for certain orthotic prescriptions. In these situations, other treatments such as regular foot mobilisation, exercise prescription, load management, training advice and shock wave therapy may be more appropriate.

Where Can I Get Orthotics in Adelaide?

Our Adelaide Podiatrists at Posture Podiatry are very experienced in the application of orthotic therapy. We can certainly help if you need foot orthotics.

You can either BOOK ONLINE or simply Call 8362 5900 to schedule an appointment for an examination with one of our friendly staff.