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It has been a little over 2 years since we first opened the Dunnville clinic in April 2021. Since then we have evolved from the remote receptionist model, to the single superstar (Thank you, Jenn! We will miss you!) and now the double dream team.
Welcome, Brooklyn and Karen! We are looking forward to lots of good times, and to growing together. Stay tuned for more on our lovely team. Most people have heard of custom orthotics before. They are insoles specifically made for an individual’s feet, designed to treat a specific condition. That’s their beauty. They can be fine tuned to treat that person’s foot/lower limb problem like no other device. If you have a high arch with a sore spot on the ball of your foot, you can get custom orthotics that are perfectly fit to your high arch, and specifically designed to relieve the pain from that specific sore spot.
In today’s blog I wanted to share the behind the scenes journey of custom foot orthotics to describe to you how exactly they are made to treat YOUR feet. Fair warning, this post might be a bit long, but custom orthotics are something I am passionate about. So lets get started: Custom orthotics go through quite the journey before they arrive as their final product. Let’s go through the process. First a biomechanical assessment and gait analysis is performed by the Chiropodist to determine what the patient’s foot problem is, and how to treat it. If custom orthotics are appropriate, a cast would be taken of the patient’s feet. I have to talk a little more about the cast. The cast is absolutely critical in creating well-fitting orthotics. There are several casting methods out there. You must get a 3D cast in order for the orthotic to contour the shape of the foot properly. There are a few ways to get a 3D cast of the foot: 3D digitial scan, plaster slipper cast, wax mold, and foam box. I prefer the 3D digital scan and plaster slipper casts, and employ both methods at The Foot Fixers. These techniques also allows me, the Chiropodist, to hold the foot in the proper position, called “subtalar neutral”. This position is where the foot is aligned with the ankle and leg. Once the cast is taken, it is sent to a lab for manufacturing. Materials used in custom orthotics range from very hard to very soft, depending on the specific needs of the patient. Harder materials are typically thinner and better at controlling the foot. Softer materials take up more room in the shoe but are more cushioned. Some common shell materials include polypropylene, carbon fibre, EVA and cork. The shell material is heated up and “pressed” over the foot molds using a vacuum press. Once the materials cool, they hold the shape of the foot. They are starting to resemble orthotics. The molded material is then ground down to the specific depth specified on the prescription. Next, any additions are added. There are several additions the Chiropodist may prescribe, such as metatarsal pads, forefoot extensions or heel cushions. Once the additions are complete, they are covered with a top cover. Top cover materials are choseen based on what the orthotic will be used for. Some common materials include leather, vinyl, EVA of different densities or neoprene. Once the top and bottom covers are glued on, the orthotics are complete. One last quality control check, and they are shipped back to the Prescribing Chiropodist’s clinic for dispensing to the patient. At the dispensing appointment, the orthotics are checked against the feet to ensure a good fit, and trimmed to fit the footwear. And that’s it! The journey of custom orthotics. Last week I had a patient walk through the door with a painful bump on the bottom of his foot. He said it came out of nowhere without an injury or any known cause, so he was looking for answers. It turned out to be a Plantar Fibroma. It's a condition I see occasionally in the office, sometimes because they are a source of pain, and sometimes coincidentally while I'm assessing for another problem. What is a Plantar Fibroma? The word "plantar" is an anatomical term meaning "bottom". Fibroma means "benign fibrous growth". So a plantar fibroma is a benign fibrous growth that develops on the bottom of the foot. It develops within the plantar fascia to be precise. The plantar fascia is a thick connective tissue that runs through the bottom of the foot from the heel to the toes. It is not totally agreed on why these growths develop, but most foot specialists would say that it is likely from trauma to the plantar fascia. They can range in size and pain level. Sometimes a plantar fibroma is longstanding, never causing any pain, but often times they get irritated from rubbing in footwear, or from stepping on an object. If they get aggravated, they become inflammed and enlarge, thus becoming more likely to be re-aggravated, so the cycle continues. How is a Plantar Fibroma Treated? 1. Stop the Inflammation - Initially this can be done with rest, ice and anti-inflammatory medication such as Advil or Aleve. 2. Offload - Take pressure away from the plantar fibroma so it is not re-aggravated. This is usually done with custom orthotics with an indent placed directly beneath the plantar fibroma. The custom orthotics re-distribute pressure away from the plantar fibroma. 3. Shrink the Size of the Plantar Fibroma - This can be done with a topical medication called Verapamil and/or through a series of corticosteroid injections. 4. Surgery - In rare instances where all other measures have failed, surgical excision can be performed. If you develop a painful bump on the bottom of your foot, call The Foot Fixers for an assessment so we can help you get back on your feet! |