ADDRESS

426 Bruce St.
Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6B 1R4

PHONE

705-256-8112

Pedorthic & Orthotic Services

We can provision orthotics to help reduce your pain and improve your quality of life.

What is a Pedorthist?

A pedorthist is an individual who is trained in the assessment, design, manufacture, fit and modification of foot appliances and footwear for the purposes of alleviating painful or debilitating conditions and providing assistance for abnormalities or limited actions of the lower limb.

The pedorthist provides devices and footwear to assist in:

  • Accommodation of foot deformities;
  • Re-alignment of anatomical structures;
  • Redistribution of external and internal forces;
  • Improvement of balance;
  • Control of biomechanical function;
  • Accommodation of circulatory special requirements; and,
  • Enhancement of the actions of limbs compromised as a result of accident, congenital deformity, neural condition, or disease.

A pedorthist can assist in treating conditions such as the following

  • Achilles Tendonitis
  • Arthritis
  • Plantar Faciitis
  • Bunions

Websites of interest:

Pedorthic Association Of Canada www.pedorthic.ca
College Of Pedorthics Of Canada www.cpedcs.ca

A variety of Orthotic FootwearAs one of the few medical professionals educated in the design, fit, manufacture, and modification of footwear and foot orthoses (Orthotics), Certified Members of the Pedorthic Association of Canada (PAC) are regularly called upon to fill prescriptions and make recommendations.

Every foot requires special attention. Variables such as overall length, heel to ball length, and width are assessed in both a seated and standing position. Other variables may include bony deformities of the greater and lesser toes, instep height, amputations, ulceration, and biomechanical anomalies such as over-pronation or over-supination, in-toeing or out-toeing.

Orthotics:

Why Orthotics? The term is derived from the Greek “ortho”, to straighten. Sciences such as materials engineering, gait analysis, anatomy and physiology, and psychology contribute to the work done by orthotists, the professionals engaged in the field of orthotics. Simpler foot orthotics allow the muscles, tendons and bones of the feet and lower legs to function at their highest potential. When appropriately prescribed, orthotics can decrease pain, not only in the foot, but in other parts of the body such as the knee, hip and lower back. They can also increase stability in an unstable joint, prevent a deformed foot from developing additional problems, and improve overall quality of life.

At some point in their lives, 75% of the population will suffer from foot-related problems that often result in pain or discomfort in the feet, ankles, knees, hips or lower back. But only 2% will seek help. Most people do not relate this pain and discomfort to the true source – their feet. In fact, many people think they have to live with the discomfort or hope it will go away.

Your feet are the foundation of your entire body. They do an incredible amount of work each day. The smallest imbalance can cause a great deal of discomfort, but properly fitted prescription orthotics help restore the normal balance and alignment of your body and bring relief from fatigue and pain. Orthotics are so comfortable that you will want to wear them as much as possible.

Chief complaint or diagnosis that may be helped by prescription orthotics:

PROBLEM

SYMPTOMS

CAUSE

SOLUTION

Achilles Tendonitis
Inflammation
of the sheath surrounding the Achilles tendon; pain behind the heel, ankle
and lower calf.
Counter rotation of the tibia against the femur as a result of the excessive pronation causes the two heads of the Achilles tendon (gastrocnemius and soleus) to torque against each other and over stretch the tendon.
Orthotics to correct the excess biomechanical imbalance. Reduce activity until inflammation subsides.
Anterior Shin Splints Medial Shin Splints
Inflammation of the tendons and muscles in the front or inside of the lower leg.
Excessive pronation combined with overuse causes pulling of the tibialis anterior or tibialis posterior muscle with damage done to the insertion of these muscles on the tibia.
Orthotics should be used to restore normal foot and leg biomechanics to reduce excessive pronation. Reduce activity until inflammation subsides
Bunions(Hallux Valgus)
An unsightly, sometimes painful bump at the base of the big toe.
Excessive pronation combined with a hypermobile first metatarsal ray segment causes toe-off to come off the medial side instead of the plantar surface of the big toe. The retrograde force stretches and distorts the joint.
Orthotics will control pronation and eliminate further angling of the big toe joint and jamming of the joint.
Calluses
Hard, dry masses of yellowish or grayish skin on the plantar surface, often surrounded by a red, inflamed rim that is swollen and painful.
Excessive
pressure on the weight-bearing segments of the foot. Microtrauma due to hypermobility associated with excessive pronation.
Although calluses can be removed, they will return unless weight distribution is balanced with orthotics.
Chondromalacia Patella (Runner’s Knee)
A degenerative inflammation of the cartilage covering the underside of the patella; knee pain and medial soreness.
Excessive pronation counter-rotates the tibia against the femur creating undue stress that prevents the knee cap from tracking in its proper groove on the femur bone. The femoral condyles irritate and damage the back of the patella.
Orthotics are necessary to control abnormal pronation and prevent counter rotation of tibia against femur.
Hammer Toes
The distal joints of the smaller toes bend down, while the proximal joint bends ups. Corns form where they bend up.
Muscle imbalance and dropped metatarsal heads.
If not corrected with orthotics, the joints may stiffen in this awkward position. Also need to treat the associated corns.
Neuroma (Intermetatarsal Forefoot Pain)
Pain in the ball of the foot and/or numbness in the toes. Usually between 3rd and 4th toes.
Chronic irritations of the Intermetatarsal nerves due to the shearing of the metatarsal heads.
Orthotics to provide the forefoot with proper balance, spreading the metatarsal heads to allow a clear passage for the nerves.
Plantar Fasciitis (Heel Spur Syndrome)
Pain directly beneath or in front of the heel; chronic inflammation of the plantar fascia, sometimes accomplished by a bones spur where the fascia inserts at the calcaneus.
Excessive abnormal pronation stretching the plantar fascia over and over with every step. The origin at the calcaneus in the hindfoot is weakest and generally where fibres are torn.
Orthotics to control pronation and eliminate repeated elongation of the foot.

Other Conditions Orthotics May Correct:

  • Ankle joint synovitis
  • Foot muscle cramps
  • Foot deformities
  • General Leg Fatigue
  • Ilio-tibial band syndrome
  • Leg muscle cramps
  • Low back pain
  • Metatarsalgia
  • Nerve entrapment
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Out-toe-gait
  • Sacro-iliac pain
  • Sciatica (esp. Piriformis Syndrome)
  • Sesamoiditis
  • Spastic flat Footmaxx Stress fractures
  • Subtalar joint pain
  • Tarsal tunnel syndrome

Product Lines We Carry:

colinternational200Name Brand Orthotic FootwearCOL International has a variety of brand name footwear with custom orthotic inserts in their footwear collection. Visit www.canadianorthotics.com to view some of their collection.
apis-web200 mtemey200
Apis / Mt. Emey footwear offers both orthopaedic and, when required, custom made footwear. Visit apisfootwear.com to view their product lines that are available to you through The Healing Arts Centre.
Comfortable Orthotics Casual Orthotics
vionic200Orthotic SandalsWe carry a selection of Vionic Sandals with Orthaheel Technology. (Formerly known as Orthaheel Sandals). Visit www.vionicshoes.ca to view some of their products we have available for you.

Consult with the Healing Arts Centre right away!

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