“A journey of a thousand miles
begins with a single step”
- Lao Tzu
Orthotics and Bracing
Pedorthic Assessment
Your feet are pretty amazing structures that we often take for granted until there is a problem. Our feet do change over time with exposure to injuries, excessive loading, aging and everything in between. The best place to start is with a good assessment.
We discuss your history, look at your posture, foot type, joint range of motion and do a video gait analysis. From all of this information, I put together your best options for management given all factors. Footwear suggestions with styles and components of shoes that best suit your foot type are also given at the assessment appointment.
Often it's also appropriate to refer out for soft tissue therapies like massage and physiotherapy, especially if your feet don't seem to be the main contributor to your issues.
Casting Technique
There are a variety of ways to cast and I use all of them. Mostly I cast in semi-weightbearing foam box, but can use plaster cast method if needed. For casting a custom ankle brace plaster cast is used only. Custom knee braces are cast with specialized measuring devices or smart measure apps to get the 3D measurements.
Custom and off the shelf bracing
Because there are so many bracing products for knees and ankles available on the market, I have narrowed the options by carefully selecting the products. The braces I've chosen to carry are products the majority of people have success with from a fit, comfort and function perspective. I offer both Donjoy and Ossur knee bracing products for ligament instability and offloading for osteoarthritis.
Custom Lifts
Used for structural leg length to keep the pelvis more level and to offset asymmetry. I make my own lifts from raw material, so any lift height can be made. Typically we can't accommodate more than a 1cm tapered lift inside a shoe. If more height is required, the sole of the shoe itself needs to be split and modified to accommodate a higher amount. Typically this is out sourced to an orthopaedic shoe technician.
Custom Foot Orthotics
Because we are all structurally different, what type of orthotic dispensed varies from person to person. Your injury, joint range of motion, gait biomechanics and foot architecture dictates what type of support would be best suited to you. For that reason I don't just build one style of orthotic or use just one lab for manufacturing. From flexible to maximally supportive, the labs build what we prescribe.
The US lab that I use most often has the ability to calibrate their plastics. Most labs use your bodyweight only as the deciding factor how thick to make the plastic. This lab uses bodyweight and your joint mobility. If your joint range is stiffer, you will get a more flexible material. If your joint range is excessive and your foot posture poor, your orthotic will have more supportive features.
Orthotics can be helpful for a multitude of lower extremity injuries such as plantar fasciitis, metatarsalgia, Mortons neuroma, Osteoarthritis, Achilles Tendonopathy, Patellafemoral pain syndrome and IT band syndrome to name a few. Other times orthotics can be used to support alignment and/or enhance or harness movement.
Adjustments
Part of what you pay for in a custom product is the ability to adjust it. Adjustments and/or appointments related to product I have created are at no charge for the first year. Sometimes minor changes can make the difference in the success of the orthoses.
ABOUT
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The love and interest in assessing movement began with a love for ballet. I danced throughout my childhood including a couple years at the National Ballet School in Toronto. When considering University, I still needed to have dance in my life, so I went to the University of Waterloo and studied in the Applied Health Sciences faculty which also had a dance department.
After graduating from the University with an honours degree, it was my older sister, a chiropractor, who introduced me to the field of pedorthics. I found the study of human movement and foot biomechanics fascinating. After completing several exams and 3000 clinical hours, I became a fully certified Pedorthist.
From working for companies such as Paris Orthotics and Ossur (formerly Generation II) for several years, I decided to open my own practises and now work in three locations, South Surrey, Ladner and Gibsons.
I enjoy assessing all individuals from recreational runners to young athletes, dancers and everyone in between.
I am a Canadian Certified Pedorthist in good standing with the Pedorthic Association of Canada and the College of Pedorthics.
LOCATIONS
Sunshine Coast
Backstream Physiotherapy
5650 Dolphin St.
Sechelt, BC V0N 3A0
To Book an appointment call:
604-319-2885
*My days on the coast vary from month to month. I work 3-4 days a month
consistently within 2 separate trips
South Surrey
Diane Lee and Associates Physiotherapy
#102-15303 31st Ave
Surrey, BC V3Z 6X2
Tel: 604-538-8338
Fax: 604-538-3277
Tues/Thurs: 9:30-5:30
GET IN TOUCH
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a Pedorthist and a Podiatrist?
A pedorthist is a specialist in lower limb biomecanical assessment and orthotic creation. We are very skilled at adjusting and modifying anything we build. I personally do all my repairs and adjustments. Pedorthists are also very good at recommending appropriate footwear or components of shoes that best suit someones foot structure to optimize comfort and function Unlike a Podiatrist, we do not cut nails, treat corns, calluses or assess any skin or nail disorders. We also do not do any injections, prescribe pharmaceuticals or perform minor surgeries.
Are my services for orthotics and bracing covered by extended plans?
Yes. Pedorthists are considered one of the preferred providers for foot orthotics along with Podiatrists, Orthotists and Chiropodists. How much coverage you have for orthotics is different from plan to plan so it is best to check the perimeters of your coverage to be sure. I am aware of the paperwork that is required for different insurers to submit a claim and happily provide all the needed reports and receipts to ensure you are reimbursed.
Do I need a prescription from my doctor to come see you?
No. I am not required by my college to have a prescription prior to assessing someone. However, almost all extended plans do require a referral or prescription from your doctor which outlines the medical reason why you need a brace or custom foot orthotic. I cannot write the prescription.
Are you able to direct bill?
Only for the following third party payers: RCMP, Canadian Armed forces, Veterans Affairs, ICBC, WCB, First Nations Health Authority or for anyone who is on Disability or Ministry Assistance with the province.