The orthotics specialist here at Horizon Health – Calgary specialize in the full assessment of a patient’s gait (walking pattern), ankle and their foot. They devote approximately 5 years in education, the first four years in undergraduate studies to get a Bachelors Degree, and another year in orthopedic school. An internship of 2,000 hours must be completed before our specialist can write the final exam and get recognized as a Certified Pedorthist (CPed). Our specialist is also professionally trained in properly fitting clients with the different types of compression stockings in all available heights (Knee-High, Thigh-High, and Pantyhose).

Our specialist have a complete understanding of biomechanics, which is the science of movement of a living body, including how muscles, bones, tendons and ligaments work together to produce movement. . These skills in combination with state of the art feet and gait scanning technology, allows us to create a perfectly fitting and functional pair of orthotics that can provide our clients with pain relief and proactively prevent the problems that the feet typically encounter.

Custom Made Orthotics:

Custom-made orthotics are medical devices that support and gently reposition the heel, arch, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and bones in the feet, enabling these structures to work together as nature intended, to make each step you take pain-free.

Unlike shoe inserts bought over the counter, custom-made orthotics are built from molds of your feet to meet your unique needs. They’re typically made with comfortable thermoplastic materials, which are guaranteed to last for years, and can be designed to fit in dress shoes, athletic shoes, boots, and skates.

Uses: Orthotic devices may be recommended for several reasons, including:

  • aligning and supporting the foot or ankle
  • preventing, correcting or accommodating foot deformities
  • improving the overall function of the foot or ankle

What is the difference between Pre-Fabriacated and Custom Made Orthotics?

There are basically two types of foot orthotics: pre-fabricated devices and custom made.

Pre-fabricated orthotic products are mass-produced and easily available in your local pharmacies, supermarkets, shoe and athletic stores, as retail items or by prescription. Anyone can purchase mass-produced, over-the-counter foot orthotics, just as anyone can purchase a non-prescription pain reliever, and the buyer decides when, where, how and how long to use the product.

Custom-fabricated devices, are created for a specific individual, and most frequently address health issues, so are prescribed by a healthcare provider to help deal with one or more specific condition.  Custom made orthotics or foot-and-ankle orthotics are intended to fit a particular foot, for a particular purpose. Custom made foot orthotics are created especially for one person and made from a 3D cast of a person’s foot.

What does a custom made orthotic look like?

Appearance depends on the job the orthotic is intended to perform. It can be short or long, thin or thick, made of one material or made of several materials combined. It can be rigid, semi-rigid or flexible, and it can come in a variety of colors.

Casting Techniques

We use and combine 2 state of the art casting techniques that are accepted by all insurance companies. First we use a truly 3D scan of your feet in a subtalar neutral position follow by a 2D pressure scan of your gait. When we combine this data, it allows us to order a perfectly fitting functional orthotic for the patient.

2D Pressure Sensitive Gait Scanner

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

True 3D scanner with dual lasers and
dual cameras system with patient in Non-Weight
bearing, Subtalar Neutral position

The orthotics specialist here at Horizon Health – Calgary specialize in the full assessment of a patient’s gait (walking pattern), ankle and their foot. They devote approximately 5 years in education, the first four years in undergraduate studies to get a Bachelors Degree, and another year in orthopedic school. An internship of 2,000 hours must be completed before our specialist can write the final exam and get recognized as a Certified Pedorthist (CPed). Our specialist is also professionally trained in properly fitting clients with the different types of compression stockings in all available heights (Knee-High, Thigh-High, and Pantyhose).

Our specialist have a complete understanding of biomechanics, which is the science of movement of a living body, including how muscles, bones, tendons and ligaments work together to produce movement. . These skills in combination with state of the art feet and gait scanning technology, allows us to create a perfectly fitting and functional pair of orthotics that can provide our clients with pain relief and proactively prevent the problems that the feet typically encounter.

Please contact us for a free no-obligation session.