Seine River Physiotherapy
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Custom Orthotics
A custom orthotic is a device designed to align the foot and ankle into the most anatomically 
efficient position. They look like insoles, but are biomechanical medical appliances that are 
custom made to correct your specific foot imbalance. Custom orthotics work on your feet much 
like glasses work on your eyes - they reduce stress and strain on your body by bringing your feet 
back into proper alignment and conveniently fit into many different types of shoes. 

Custom Orthotics are appropriate for all ages and all levels of ability, from the sedentary to the 
high end athlete.   Whether for shock absorption or for changing posture, orthotics can help with 
many different conditions such as:
Foot problems:  
  • Plantar Fasciitis
  • Heel spurs
  • Morton’s Neuroma
  • Metasaralgia
Sports Injuries:  
  • Ankle sprains
  • Achilles strains
  • Tendinitis
  • Ruptures
  • Shin splints
  • Patellar-femoral
  • IT band syndrome
Systemic conditions:  
  • Diabetes
  • OA
  • RA
Frequently Asked Question about Orthotics
  • What is the difference between the prefabricated over the counter orthotics I buy at the pharmacy and the ones you make?
  • Prefabricated orthotics can work to alleviate mild pain and usually make small corrections to the midfoot (the very centre). They do not address your personalized foot issues in the forefoot (the top) or the hindfoot (the back) and they are not able to address your personalized postural issues. Your physiotherapist will be able to discuss the pros and cons of both types of orthotics at your visit.

  • What will happen at my personal orthotics visit?
  • Our physiotherapists will first take a history to see what kinds of activities you enjoy participating in and what kinds of activities cause you discomfort. We then do a biomechanical assessment of your feet, followed by an assessment to see how their position affects the rest of your body such as your ankles, knees, hips, and back. A postural assessment is done followed by a gait analysis (how you walk). Finally, your feet will be custom casted with plaster and we will order certain corrections to your custom orthotics based on these assessments and your needs. The entire process is all very comfortable.

  • Wow, that’s a lot just for some foot insoles? Is all that necessary?
  • Yes! It is not enough to say that when you take a step your foot rolls inwards or that there is too much pressure under your metatarsals (the very front of your foot). Your feet are a complicated structure consisting of 26 bones, 33 joints, and over 100 ligaments, muscles and tendons and they affect the structure and positioning of the rest of the body.

    Paris Orthotics describes the difference between some of the many types of foot assessments for orthotics on their website.

    All Orthotics Are Not Created Equal - Understanding the Difference

    Insoles, arch supports and other ready-made products including “stand on the box” systems that deliver on-the-spot solutions are not custom orthotics. Nor are the orthotic systems that have you walk across a special mat. Despite the colourful pictures, these systems only measure pressure; they do not and cannot capture the unique 3-dimensional shape of your foot.

    Custom-Made Prescription Orthotics can only be made after a thorough biomechanical assessment and accurate orthotic design (prescription) using true 3-dimensional impressions of your feet taken by an appropriately qualified foot healthcare professional.

    Paris Pedorthic Services

  • Is some of this covered by my insurance?
  • Yes, many plans to cover custom made orthotics. For more information regarding coverage and payment, give our office manager Linda a call at the clinic at 204-415-5006!

    We are located on the 2nd floor of the Seine River Professional Center, on St. Anne's Rd just south of Bishop Grandin Blvd and are wheelchair accessible.

    Address:
     600 St Anne's Rd #220, Winnipeg, MB R2M 2S2
    Phone: (204) 415-5006
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    Seine River Physiotherapy