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Expert Orthotics At Harley Medical Foot and Nail Clinic
Orthotics (also referred to as foot orthoses) are specially designed shoe inserts or devices that help correct abnormal foot mechanics, support foot structure, and alleviate pressure or pain in the feet, ankles, knees or even hips and lower back.
They differ from generic over-the-counter insoles in that they are tailored to your individual feet and biomechanical needs.
Who Can Benefit From Orthotics?
You may be a suitable candidate for orthotics if you:
- Experience persistent foot or ankle pain (e.g., heel pain, arch strain, plantar fasciitis)
- Have foot posture or alignment issues (flat feet, high arches, overpronation or supination)
- Have lower-limb or back pain potentially linked to how your feet function
- Are an athlete or active person wanting to improve performance, reduce injury risk or balance wear on your feet/legs
- Require support due to a medical condition (e.g., diabetic foot, arthritis)
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What the Service Entails
Initial Consultation & Assessment
- A qualified podiatrist takes a detailed history: your symptoms, daily activities, footwear, previous treatments.
- Examination of your feet, ankles, knees and possibly hips/back to find any alignment or mechanical faults.
- Gait and movement work-up: how you walk/run, how your feet land, pressure distribution, any compensations.
Design & Prescription of Orthotics
- Based on the assessment, we decide if orthotics are appropriate and what type required (custom vs semi-custom vs prefabricated).
- For custom orthotics: we create an impression/3D scan of your feet (in non- or weight-bearing as required) to ensure precise fit.
- Materials/shape tailored to your needs: rigid for motion control, semi-rigid for dynamic balance, soft for shock absorption.
Fitting Appointment
- Once made, we fit the orthotics into your shoes (work shoes, everyday shoes, athletic shoes) and make adjustments so they’re comfortable and functional.
- Instruction on how to use them: how to break in, which shoes to wear them in, how to monitor comfort.
Follow-up & Review
- We monitor how you respond: Are symptoms improving? Are the orthotics fitting well? Any adjustments needed?
- We may integrate other treatments (footwear advice, strengthening/stretching exercises, gait retraining) for best results.