Custom
functional orthotics are shoe inserts which help to control abnormal
foot motion, especially excessive pronation and supination of the lower
ankle or subtalar joint. They provide stability for the foot and correct
injury-causing imbalances.
As the illustrations of this right
foot show, pronation occurs when the heel bone angles inward and the
arch collapses, while supination is the opposite. Supination and
pronation are a normal part of the gait cycle. They allow the foot to
absorb shock and adapt to uneven surfaces. However, too much of these
motions may cause injury. Many problems with the feet, legs, knees and
hips are caused by excessive pronation or supination. Orthotics may
prevent injury or deformity from occurring or halt the progression of
existing problems and allow healing to occur. If your feet match the
illustrations and you suffer from sore hips, knees, shins, arches or
metatarsal bones, you may need orthotics. They are also useful in
optimizing performance and enhancing comfort for athletes.
Functional
orthotics are made from impressions that capture the contour and
alignment of the foot. A mold is generated from the impression and is
modified to compensate for angular differences between the forefoot and
heel which can lead to excessive foot motion. There is a difference
between custom functional orthotics and "orthotics" made in sporting
goods stores. The functional orthotic has forefoot posting added to the
ball of the foot on the casts. This posting corrects for angular
abnormalities between the forefoot and heel. When posted in this manner,
even support is provided from the ball of the foot, through the arch
and back to the heel. This results in an orthotic that has a smoothly
contoured transition from the forefoot to the heel as opposed to just
putting support in the arch- something which is not well tolerated and
does not address the underlying problem.
A thermoplastic material
is either milled or molded to the shape of the corrected impression and
this becomes the orthotic. This process results in an orthotic that is
thin, retains its shape regardless of the contour of the shoe and
affords shock absorption. Depending on the intended use of the orthotic,
various modifications in design and material may be used. For example,
padded top covers are added for running, and for cycling they are made
narrower and have a forefoot extensions and thin top covers. Follow the
products link to learn more about modifications and what is appropriate
for your needs.
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