Orthotics and Pedorthist

At Tri City Physiotherapy we work as a team.  If the Pedorthist feels that another service would be more benficial to you, a referral will be made to the appropriate team member. This approach may take more than a single appointment, but the results are longer lasting..

At your initial visit, a thorough assessment will be done, beginning with your history. We will ask questions about your injury or pain, past history of injuries and/or surgeries, relevant medical conditions, your footwear and what kind of activities you do. The pedorthist will also take a look at the footwear you bring in, and note any wear patterns.

A non-weight bearing assessment will be conducted, where your pedorthist will test your range of motion to note any abnormalities. A weight-bearing assessment and muscle testing will also be completed to note any differences. Your pedorthist will determine specific muscle testing for you based on your assessment.

Then, the pedorthist will have you walk a few times and observe your gait (how you walk) from different angles.

After the assessment, your pedorthist will discuss observations and education about your gait, injury or likely reasons for your pain/discomfort. At this time the pedorthist will discuss treatment options with you, which may include stretching, off-the-shelf orthotics, custom orthotics, or a referral for physiotherapy. Footwear recommendations will also be made based on your footwear needs, foot type and gait.

If custom orthotics are determined to be part of your treatment plan, you will be casted using a method that provides a 3D mould of your foot.

The first appointment can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour for a full assessment depending on your condition. Subsequent treatments can be shorter or longer depending upon the condition and the treatment required.