Custom foot orthotics help to bring the ground up to your foot thereby neutralizing footwear pressure points, points of impact or wear that can cause foot pain. No matter your age, custom foot orthotics can help athletes perform at higher levels, have you walking longer or running faster simply because your feet are more comfortable.

The importance of the break in period especially for new custom made orthotic device wearers is quite significant. Not only will you be able to wear the orthotic inserts quicker, it also ensures that you avoid any additional discomfort.

Custom made orthotic devices correct foot position and thus you may experience some lower leg and/or foot fatigue during the first few weeks. This occurs because orthotic inserts change our walking pattern and activate musculature that may have been previously underused. By wearing orthotic inserts for a few hours the first day and increasing wear by one/two hours a day, you can hopefully avoid any additional discomfort.

By the end of the break-in-period you should be able to wear the custom made orthotic devices comfortably for the entire day.  However, if after the first few weeks you are still finding them uncomfortable, or they pinch or cause blisters, remove the orthotic inserts from the shoes and call the pedorthist for an adjustment

• Have you been to see your Doctor about the discomfort you are experiencing?
• Where does it hurt? When did it start? How long has it hurt?
• Do you have any pre-existing health conditions such as Arthritis or Diabetes

By the end of the history taking we have gathered a great deal of information about the nature of your problem. This  guides the assessment and helps us decide what tests we may need to perform.

Following the history taking the pedorthist will begin observation of the foot and lower limb including:

• Static weight bearing or postural exam
• Dynamic weight bearing or gait analysis exam (watch you walk)
• Non-weight bearing exam of foot structure and any abnormalities/deformities (calluses, bunions, blisters, toe positions)
• Exam of current footwear

The next step of the assessment involves the biomechanical examination of the foot. Here the pedorthist will  maneuver the joints of the foot testing the range of motion. This is also the time when certain structures of the foot are palpated to determine which structures of the foot may be affected.

The final step of the assessment is the biomechanical examination of the foot. Here the pedorthist will check the following:

• Palpate or touch the foot for pulses/warmth/edema/tenderness
• Test the range of motion of all foot joints
• Movement testing to determine what structure is likely producing symptoms

The end goal of the assessment is determine the cause and type of the discomfort and match the discomfort with an appropriate treatment plan within the scope of practice of a Canadian Certified Pedorthist C Ped (C).

• A foot is a very complex structure consisting of 26 bones, 33 joints, 107 ligaments and 19 muscles. In fact a pair of feet has one quarter of all the bones in the body.

• Throughout a lifetime the average person will walk approximately 128,000kms which is more than three times around the earth.

• With all that walking it’s no wonder are feet are always sweaty. In fact a single foot has more than 250,000 sweat glands producing around 500ml of perspiration daily.

• Shaquille O’Neil wears a size 23 shoe. That’s more than two times larger than the average shoe size of 10.5

Serving Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge and surround areas, Comfort Foot Clinic provides friendly, professional service along with quality foot care products designed to maximize your foot comfort – on and off the job. We believe that educating our patients on proper foot care and footwear selection are important aspects in providing optimal foot comfort.

Taking care of your feet through proper foot care and quality footwear is an investment in your overall well being. Most of us take our feet for granted until they become a problem. If your feet hurt, we can help. Call us (519-742-7373) or visit us at our Kitchener location for a free assessment today!

A true custom made orthotic is manufactured from a 3-dimensional mould of the foot and made from raw materials. The contours of the orthotic match the individuals foot structure and are made specifically for their needs. Thus the ability of the custom made appliance to relieve individual foot conditions is much higher compared to that of a generic/off the shelf appliance.

Years of wear and tear can be hard on our feet. So can disease, poor circulation, improperly trimmed toenails, and wearing shoes that don’t fit properly. Problems with our feet can be the first sign of more serious medical conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, and nerve and circulatory disorders.Shoes that do not fit properly may cause bunions, corns, calluses, hammer toes and other foot problems. With a little education, preventitave measures can be taken to avoid these situations by selecting proper footwear.

Use these 10 points as a guide line for your next shoe purchase.

1. The size of your feet changes as you grow older so always have your feet measured before buying shoes. The best time to measure your feet is at the end of the day when your feet are largest.
2. Most of us have one foot that is larger than the other, so fit your shoe to your larger foot.
3. Don’t select shoes by the size marked inside the shoe but by how the shoe fits your foot.
4. Select a shoe that is shaped like your foot.
5. During the fitting process, make sure there is enough space (3/8″ to 1/2″) for your longest toe at the end of each shoe when you are standing up.
6. Make sure the ball of your foot fits comfortably into the widest part of the shoe.
7. Don’t buy shoes that feel too tight and expect them to stretch to fit.
8. Your heel should fit comfortably in the shoe with a minimum amount of slipping – the shoes should not ride up and down on your heel when you walk.
9. Walk in the shoes to make sure they fit and feel right. Then take them home and spend some time walking on carpet to make sure the fit is a good one.
10. The upper part of the shoes should be made of a soft, flexible material to match the shape of your foot. Shoes made of leather can reduce the possibility of skin irritations. Soles should provide solid footing and not be slippery. Thick soles cushion your feet when walking on hard surfaces. Low-heeled shoes are more comfortable, safer, and less damaging than high-heeled shoes.