Foot Orthotics

What is a Foot Orthosis?

Device used to accommodate foot deformity or pressure lesions, cushion the foot, alter sensory input, or realign foot posture.

Foot

-Met Pad-Bunion brace-Hammer toe brace-PSC-Arch Brace

TerminologyArch support

Heel wedge

Medial/lateral wedge

Metatarsal pad

Insole

Types of Orthotics

• Prefabricated OTC • Advantage

– Cheap– Convenient– Effective

• Disadvantage– Mass produced– Nonspecific arch contour– Fails to address

positional/structural deformities and compensations

Types of Orthotics

• Biomechanical or Custom

• Advantage– Address the source of

compensation – Slow rate/extent of

deformity• Disadvantage

– Cost– Experience of provider– May not help

Accomodative Orthotics

• Fit in shoe to stabilize foot deformity

• Allows foot to compensate• Transfer weight from painful area• Improves shock absorption• Control ground reactive forces

around a specific location• Example: Diabetic foot,

Neuropathy, PVD, congenital malformations

Functional or Corrected Orthotic

• Addresses patho-mechanical components of the lower extremity/foot/ankle condition

• Resists abnormal compensation

• Prevent pain during ambulation

• Prevent pathologic ROM• Example: athletes, pes planus,

pes cavus

Custom: Stiffness• Rigid (pes planus)– control foot function– provide stability– firm material

• Semi-rigid (athletes)– dynamic balance of foot– layers of soft/rigid laterial

• Soft (pes cavus)– absorb shock– improve balance– remove pressure– compressible material

Modifications

• Metatarsal (MT) head cut-out• Heel cushioning• Metatarsal pads• Morton’s extension• Rigid forefoot extension

Morton’s extension

Pad

MT cut-out

Heel cushioning