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PEDORTHICS - (PE-DOOR-THICKS)
Definition
PEDORTHICS
(n): the design, manufacture, modification and fit of footwear
and orthoses to help deal with pain, discomfort and disabilities
in the legs and feet.
Pedorthists
and their Designations
A
pedorthist is an individual who is trained in the manufacturing,
fitting and
modification of foot appliances and footwear to assist in:
- Alleviating
painful or debilitating conditions of the lower limb;
- Accommodation
of foot deformities;
- Re-alignment
of anatomical structures;
- Redistribution
of external and internal forces;
- Improvement
of balance;
- Control
of biomechanical function;
- Accommodation
of circulatory special requirements; and,
- Enhancement
of the actions of limbs compromised as a result of accident,
congenital deformity, neural condition, or disease.
C
Ped (C) - Certified Pedorthist Canada
These
practitioners provide:
- Assessment
through observation of surface anatomy and palpation of the
limb,
gait analyses, range-of-motion testing, footwear analysis and
review of potentially complicated health factors;
- Casting,
manufacturing, fitting and adjusting orthoses;
- Fitting
and modifying standard and orthopaedic footwear;
- Accommodating/incorporating
complementary assistive devices; and,
- Casting
and measuring for custom footwear.
Why
See a Pedorthist?
If
you, or a member of your family are dealing with foot pain, are
suffering from a disease process which can affect your feet, circulation
or sensation, or have noticed an abnormal wear pattern to your footwear,
you may want to visit your local Pedorthic Practitioner. They may
be able to help you deal with your foot and lower limb discomfort.
As
one of the few medical professionals educated in the design, fit,
manufacture, and modification of footwear and foot orthoses (Orthotics),
Certified Members of the Pedorthic
Association of Canada (PAC) are regularly called upon to fill
prescriptions and make recommendations.
Every
foot requires special attention. Variables such as overall length,
heel to ball length, and width are assessed in both a seated and
standing position. Other variables may include bony deformities
of the greater and lesser toes, instep height, amputations, ulceration,
and biomechanical anomalies such as over-pronation or over-supination,
in-toeing or out-toeing.
Certified
Pedorthists are trained to deal with these and many more complicated
situations of the human foot. In many cases, internal or external
modifications may be indicated to treat these deformities, and can
come in the form of sole lifts, rocker soles, balloon patches, and
changes to the profile of a shoe's upper. A custom made foot orthosis
(Orthotic) may also be required to deal with specific biomechanical
(movement) problems, pressure distribution, or impact. Your Pedorthic
Practitioner is qualified to treat these and many other conditions
of the foot and lower leg.
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