Custom Orthotics
-
The Canadian Foot Clinic & Orthotic Centre was the FIRST in Niagara to offer the revolutionary 3D ScanCast LASER for CUSTOM ORTHOTICS!
FAQ
1. Just what are the qualifications of the person wanting to treat your feet?
2. How your orthotics are made makes all the difference.
4. What types of custom orthotics do you offer?
5. About our LASER ScanCast 3D scanner for custom orthotics.
6. Langer Custom Orthotics FAQ
1. Just what are the qualifications of the person wanting to treat your feet?
· Many unqualified and unregulated people are getting into the foot care business and want to sell you orthotics and may entice you with freebies such as shoes or free consultations. This should raise a red flag and you should seek care from the highest trained foot specialists: podiatrists and chiropodists.
· If you do not need orthotics, a podiatrist or chiropodist will tell you so. Podiatrists and chiropodists will frequently use different treatments to make your feet more comfortable without orthotics
· If you do need orthotics, a podiatrist or chiropodist will use the best possible technique to correct your foot problem. Plaster casted orthotics were considered the gold standard for most patients. 3D LASER Scanned orthotics are more accurate and more comfortable. We feel they are the new “gold Standard”
· Podiatrists and chiropodists will ensure that your orthotics are working properly and feel comfortable for years to come by seeing you back for follow-up visits.
· Before you get orthotics, inquire as to how they will be made or you may end up with an expensive piece of junk!
2. How your orthotics are made makes all the difference:
· 3D LASER and Plaster casting methods are superior to the foam box impressions, computerized mats, and footprint tracings.
BEST: 3D LASER scanned orthotics are considered the new Gold Standard method, achieving an accuracy that even plaster cannot rival. 2 million data points from the neutral foot position are captured, sent to a PFOLA-accredited laboratory via the internet, fabricated in North America using sophisticated CAD technology and are usually ready in about 2-3 weeks. Break-in time is minimized and fewer adjustments are required due to this high degree of precision. Plaster casting is the old Gold Standard, still considered accurate because it too captures the ideal neutral foot position.
POOR: Many people with little training in biomechanics of the feet commonly use a foam box impression in order to get a mold of the foot. It’s easier, less time consuming and takes less precision. Ask in advance if foam is used to get your foot impression. If so, then you should look elsewhere. Reason: A foam impression captures the foot in its flawed position. This orthotic will not accurately correct your foot mechanics. Your symptoms may persist, or you may wind up needing new proper orthotics to obtain desirable results.
WORST: Computerized pressure mats (2 Dimensional) that you walk across, footprints or tracings of your feet are typically inferior. They may appear “high tech” but in fact they capture a flawed standing foot position which results in an orthotic that cannot hold your foot in its ideal position. In some cases these inserts are ready made stock items and not custom at all.
· Specialized shoe inserts custom made for your feet.
· In contrast, off-the-shelf shoe inserts purchased from drug stores are built around the average foot, provide very little arch support and flatten out very quickly.
· In fact, orthotics have been shown to decrease oxygen consumption in your foot muscles by 20% and delay foot fatigue
· Orthotics attempt to clinically correct an abnormal, or irregular walking pattern that may be the root of your foot pain.
· They make standing, walking, and running more comfortable and efficient, by altering slightly the angles at which the foot strikes a walking or running surface.
· They decrease stress and strain on your joints and may delay the onset of arthritis in your feet
· Orthotics are a highly successful conservative approach which may help you avoid surgery.
· Research has shown that knee, hip and back problems frequently can be traced to a foot imbalance.
· FYI: Most insurance companies will only accept orthotic prescriptions from a podiatrist, chiropodist or MD
· Did you know: Podiatrists are often the directors of orthotic laboratories and are the leaders in the field of foot biomechanics.
4. What types of custom orthotics do you offer?
There are many different types of custom othotics available depending on your:
Foot condition (eg. heel pain, arthritis, bunions, callouses, ball of foot pain etc.)
Footwear (dress, casual, athletic, work boot, sandals etc.)
Activity level, occupation and age.
We can help you choose the style that best suits your needs.
Custom orthotic devices can be made full length, 3/4 length or 1/2 length. These devices are available in varying thicknesses and made of different materials to suit your specific needs.
Patient problem-specific modifications are incorporated into your device through your prescription to our North American PFOLA accredited orthotic laboratories.
Examples of some of our Custom Orthotics:
