Ottawa Custom Made Orthotics
David Kerbl is a registered Chiropodist and has extensive training and experience in prescribing, designing, manufacturing, dispensing and modifying custom made orthotics in Ottawa. Chiropody is one of Ontario’s regulated health professions. Like all regulated health professionals, members of the college of chiropodists of Ontario must comply with legislated regulations and standards of care. Chiropodists are the only healthcare providers that are legislated to provide care, using Orthotics. Most other orthotic providers don’t come close to meeting these standards.
What is an Orthotic?
Orthotics is the term describing the art/science of using externally applied devices to a body part to support, cushion, stabilize, limit motion or control the segment. Orthotic devices, also known as orthoses, are further described by adding the part of the body where they are used. A foot orthosis is a device used in a shoe to control the foot. A device that extends out of the back of a shoe and up the back of the leg is called an “ankle foot orthosis” (AFO) for example.
Do I Need Foot Orthotics?
The majority of foot and leg problems have a mechanical component. Chiropodists are uniquely qualified in that they treat problems through Medical, Surgical and Orthotic modalities. Chiropodists are the only health professionals licensed to do so. Having one practitioner managing all these treatment modes brings consistency and efficiency to the treatment process. The use of orthotics are quite common and I have successfully used orthotics to treat a variety of issues and ailments, from neck pain to ingrown toenails.
Common Conditions That Respond to Custom Made Orthotics management include:
- Sciatica
- Illiotibial band syndrome
- Patellofemoral syndrome
- Osgood-Schlatter disease
- Shin splints
- Achilles Tendonitis
- Posterior heel bump
- Severs disease
- Plantar fasciitis/Heels spur syndrome
- Arch pain
- Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction (PTD)
- Metatarsalgia
- Morton’s Neuroma
- Hallux Limitus
- Ingrown toenails
Functional Custom Made Foot Orthosis
Before the 1960’s chiropodists, doctors, orthopedists and shoe makers used devices, shoe modifications and materials to relieve foot problems primarily at the area of discomfort. Sheep wool was skillfully wrapped around toes to deflect shoe pressure from a corn or ulcer. Bumps and depressions were added to footwear to allow a painful area more room. And foam, felt, leather, wood and steel arch supports were used to prevent the arch from collapsing.
Around that time, a California chiropodist/podiatrist named Merton L. Root begun treating his patients with a new device – the “Root Functional Foot Orthosis”. Dr. Root is considered the father of podiatric biomechanics, and his initial ideas spawned a new way to deal with foot problems. He postulated that the foot didn’t just supinate or pronate but there was a dynamic process occurring that was influenced by internal and external factors. Root put forward the idea of “sub talar neutral” as a starting point in assessing foot biomechanics.
Controlling motion in the rear foot allowed joints further down the line to function normally.
Click these links to learn more about my specialties: Bunions, Flat Feet, Ingrown Toenails, Morton’s Neuroma, Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome, Plantar Fasciitis, Diabetic Chiropody.