Sue Ferguson
Chiropodist and Podiatrist in Tenterden, Kent
Chiropody and Podiatry Clinic
LOCATION: Home | Biomechanics and Orthotics | Ordering Orthotics Registered with the Health and Care Professions Council
Registration No. CH16194
 

Ordering Custom Made
Orthotics
PROCEDURE
What happens at your podiatry appointment

 

1. Medical History and History of Complaint

A detailed medical history is necessary to decide if orthotics are the most appropriate treatment to help you.

Knowing how and when your complaint started can help build up a picture of your problem.

2. Biomechanical Assessment

It is important to test your muscles and joints for normal and abnormal movement.

  • Do you pronate (rotate your foot in) or supinate (rotate your foot out)?
  • Do you have flat feet, bunions, hammer toes?
  • Do you have heel pain, plantar fasciitis?
  • Do you walk with a bouncy gait or a very heavy gait?
  • Do you in-toe or out-toe when you walk?
  • Do you have pain anywhere else in your body - knees, hips, lower back?
3. Dynamic Gait Analysis using GaitScan equipment

It is important to get a complete picture of how the feet function in a weight bearing and moving situation.

By walking and standing on a pressure mat on the floor, various sensors in the mat can locate areas of imbalance and determine poor foot function.

4. Computer Analysis and Graph Analysis report for patient

The information gathered by the sensors is analysed by the computer software and an individual graph analysis report is produced.

Picture of force plate and computer screen showing gait analysis
GaitScan Equipment
Graph Analysis Report Graph Analysis Report
Graph analysis report
Picture showing scanned foot with areas of high pressure
Showing path of foot progression
3D image of foot
3D image of foot pressure

5. Information sent to lab

The information from the medical history, the biomechanical assessment, and the computerised gait analysis is then sent to the lab for further analysis by technicians using computer aided programs to assess exactly the orthotic necessary.

6. Lab Production

It is important to use a high quality lab to produce the orthotics to ensure an accurate, long lasting and comfortable orthotic.

The orthotics will be ready for fitting after about 2-3 weeks.

Everyday typical orthotic showing topcovers of different lengths

7. Dispensing and Break-in

Orthotics need to be carefully worn at first as they fundamentally change the way you walk. They should be worn for about 1-2 hours the first day and 2-3 hours on the second day and so on. By the end of 1-2 weeks you should be wearing them all day. Some people adjust more quickly than others. Mild discomfort, particularly in the hip area, can occur at first if the break-in period is too short. Once your body has adjusted to a new walking position these aches, if present, should quickly disappear.

8. Guarantees, Precautions, Problems

GUARANTEE
Orthotic shell: 3 years against breakage/cracking of plastic shell with normal use
Top Cover: six months warranty on tearing and abnormal breakdown
Additions and Modifications: six months warranty on abnormal breakdown
PRECAUTIONS
Do not climb rung ladders or dig with a spade as this can put pressure along the length of the orthotic shell
Keep orthotics away from animals. Dogs tend to find orthotics quite attractive to chew.
PROBLEMS
Squeaking: dust with talcum powder before placing the orthotics in shoes
Heel slippage with some shoes: try other shoes and try to purchase shoes with a deeper heel seat. Slippage can reduce or disappear as foot function improves.

   
Contact Sue Ferguson
Podiatrist
Book an appointment now to help your foot pain
Tel: 01580 765546
 
 
Custom Orthotics
Orthotics for Running
Orthotics for running
Orthotics for running: to help control excessive pronation. Custom made orthotics for road running, cross country running, jogging and treadmill running. Biomechanical examination and computerised gait analysis is available to determine your problem and the type of orthotic you need.
Everyday Orthotics
Superflex Orthotics - Orthotics for Everyday Use
Superflex custom made orthotics for everyday use.
Orthotics for Skiing
Skiflex Orthotics - Orthotics for Skiing and Skiboots
Skiflex custom made orthotics for skiboots.

Sue Ferguson
BSc (Hons), MRCPod
Chiropodist and Podiatrist

2 St Benets Court
Tenterden
Kent TN30 6QS
Tel: 01580 765546

Email: sjf.ferguson@gmail.com