Custom made foot orthoses, more commonly referred to as orthotics, are devices made from a mold of the foot and form fitted to the foot; they are worn comfortably in most types of shoes.
The purpose of an orthotic is to prevent abnormal motion of the foot, while allowing for normal motion by controlling the mechanics of the foot to a precise degree - from heel contact, through midstance to the toe off phase of the walking cycle.
Absolutely not! A simple arch support is designed to push up against the arch while standing. It is for "static stance" and not for "dynamic motion". This means an arch support will not control the biomechanics of foot function at all. Everyone's feet are different and because bone imbalances are so varied, a precise prescription for each client is required.
Buying an arch support over the counter is similar to buying eye glasses off the shelf. An exact understanding of where the problem exists is required in order to obtain optimum results.
No, custom-made orthotics are not covered by OHIP. They are, however, often covered by your extended healthcare benefits. Please check your policy to determine the amount of your coverage as it varies from plan to plan.
Please note that most insurance companies require a written referral on the physician’s prescription pad in order for the devices to be covered. Please make sure to have this documentation when coming to your appointment. The referral must include a “diagnosis” and a recommendation for “custom foot orthoses”.
How do I know if I need an Orthotic?
If you are experiencing foot discomfort that does not resolve, the origin may be biomechanical in nature, in which case and orthotic would be helpful. Since orthotics can work in a preventative manner to avoid future foot problems, they may be indicated even though you are not experiencing pain. An example of this is when the foot rolls in or flattens excessively, which can lead to disabling problems in the future.
What about orthotics and children?
Practically all foot imbalances stem from childhood. Bunions for example, thought to be caused by poor fitting shoes are, in fact, caused by abnormal foot mechanics and then aggravated by shoes. These bone imbalances can be recognized as early as age three or four. If a child has feet that flatten or roll in excessively (called pronation), the chances are that they will go on to have problems in later life. At an early age, structures of the foot can be easily repositioned to grow in proper alignment. Very often children will not complain of foot problems, so a check up with a Pedorthist is a good idea.