Biomechanics and Orthotics

Did you know your feet will take you on a journey of around 128,000km during your lifetime?

That’s about 3 times around the earth. If you’re active in sports, you can add your training schedule.

Extra kilometers and biomechanical stresses caused by increased physical exertion make wear and tear on joints virtually inevitable.

Podiatry is the only medical modality that examines the body in motion so podiatrists are uniquely qualified to care for people who are active in sports.

Around 50% of people have flat feet. The percentage of people of Asian ethnicity tends to be even higher. This is disadvantageous because the mechanics of this type of foot does not allow for adequate suspension. The body compensates by transferring the shock to ankles, legs, knees, hips or lower back.

Foot orthoses are recommended for people who have sustained injury associated with abnormal lower extremity mechanics. Many lower extremity injuries are the result of excessive pronation. These increased motions lead to abnormal patellofemoral joint alignment and result in knee pain and such pathologies as iliotibial band syndrome, meniscal pain etc.

There are a plethora of other conditions that strike athletes and sports people such as stress fractures, bursitis, thrombophlebitis, tenosynovitis, synovial plicae, tendon rupture, plantar fasciitis, nerve entrapment, metatarsalgia, sprains etc.

Orthotics support specific phases in the gait cycle – abnormal motion is controlled while normal motion is unrestricted. They support a flexible flat foot, reduce heel jarring which contributes to plantar fasciitis, heel spur and severs disease, and they reduce upper body compensatory problems – eg. shin splints, knee, hip and back pain.

Application of orthotic therapy is the most effective way of improving function.

Orthotics can truly transform your life – athletes, kids, adults. Just about everyone can benefit from wearing orthotics.

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