Footwear And Orthotics
Orthotics: Good For Your Sole
Orthotics: Explained
The most influential years for a child’s foot development are prior to age six. Some conditions will be retained for life if not addressed prior to the age of two. Foot orthotics are an effective treatment for growing pains. Correct footwear can have a profound effect on improving your child’s balance, walking and running endurance.
General Orthotics
Custom functional orthotics are designed to address specific joints, allowing for improved muscle activity and restoring better function. They can also help reduce the load on injured structures and slow down the progression of conditions such as bunions and osteoarthritis. In addition, orthotics can be useful for individuals suffering from osteoarthritis in the feet or knees, plantar fasciitis, heel spur syndrome, Morton’s Neuroma, and other similar conditions. By providing support and reducing abnormal movement, orthotics can prevent further injury and improve overall biomechanics.
Orthotics For Sport
Fashion Orthotics For Heels
Why Foot and Leg Pain Centre?
Qualified Certified Sports Podiatrist
Dr Angus Chard, PhD, is a qualified sports podiatrist and expert on the effect of footwear on foot and leg dynamics. He has 30 years of experience hand-making custom orthotics for multiple podiatrists. He is an expert at prescribing and making comfortable world-class foot orthotics for those in need of them.
Chronic Condition-Friendly
We will strive to end your chronic foot and leg pain, rehabilitate your legs and feet, and then provide you with the knowledge to be independent of treatment to leave the pain behind.
Motivated Team
We understand foot and leg pain is a ball and chain affecting your every decision. We are driven to provide world-class cost-effective solutions to resolve your chronic foot and or leg symptoms so you can get back to doing what you love.
Custom Foot Orthotic Therapy
At Foot and Leg Pain Centre our approach is focused on evidence-based healthcare, and we regularly audit our patients to ensure they are receiving world class outcomes. Between 2021 and 2023, out team conducted a clinical audit, inviting 600 patients at our clinic to participate in an eight-question and had a 26% response rate. The survey tackled the common questions regarding their experience with custom functional foot orthoses (CFOs) treatment. The audit was designed to address the perception that CFOs are expensive, uncomfortable, don’t work and have a negative impact on patients’ footwear choices by gathering data on actual patient experiences.
The results of the audit indicated that across a range of demographics, symptomatic periods and previous treatment modalities, patients reported a very positive experience with their CFOs despite having their symptoms for a significant time (30%>3yrs and 51%>1 year) and having seen numerous other professionals and treatments before tying the CFO approach. In response to questions on treatment outcomes, patients assigned a score out of 10, where 0 was unsuccessful and 10 was very successful.
- 77% of patients scored 7 or above to say that they liked their CFOs [8.1±2.3SD]
- 84% of patients scored 7 or above in rating how comfortable their CFOs were [8.3±2.5SD]
- 67% of patients reported a score of 7 or above on the success of CFOs as a treatment option [7.1±2.8]
- 79% of patients scored 7 or above to say they would recommend CFOs [8.3±2.8SD]
From this data we can conclude that custom foot orthotics are a timely, comfortable and cost-effective treatment option when considering chronic foot, leg and lower back musculoskeletal conditions across gender and age, when prescribed by our podiatrists at the Foot and Leg Pain Centre.
For more information on how Custom Foot Orthoses Therapy may benefit you, your patients, family, or friends, please contact the team at the Foot and Leg Pain Centre. Dr. Angus Chard, PhD, welcomes the opportunity to meet with you and explain in detail, our evidence-based biomechanical approach.
A Note For Referrals
Looking for a trusted podiatrist to refer patients? Put an end to your patients’ chronic foot and leg pain with our evidence-based foot orthotic approach. We’re happy to accept referrals from practitioners who believe their patients would benefit from our care. With a particular interest in foot and leg pain, we’re able to deliver tailored care that is backed by the latest evidence-based treatments. We are also happy to collaborate with you and receive your patients under the Enhanced Primary Care Plan arrangement. Contact us today to learn more.
Foot And Leg Pain Centre
Your Orthotics Questions Answered
Wearing the right shoes does more than just protect your feet from hot surfaces and rocks. It also helps you keep your balance and stand up straight. Shoes can make your feet work better or worse, harder or easier depending on their design and fit. Choosing the right shoes is especially important if you’re also using orthotics to treat foot or leg pain. At the Foot and Leg Pain Centre, we’re happy to check any new shoes you’re thinking of buying to make sure they’re suitable for your needs. Good footwear can also prevent common problems like plantar fasciitis and calluses by giving your feet the care and support they deserve.
We proudly use evidence-based approaches for all of our treatment options. Explore the following references for more information on footwear and orthotics.
- Burns, J., et al. (2006). “Effective orthotic therapy for the painful cavus foot: A randomized controlled trial.” Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association 96(3): 205-211.
- Staheli, L.T., Shoes for children: a review. Pediatrics, 1991. 88(2): p. 371-375.
- Walther, M., et al., Children sport shoes. A systematic review of current literature. Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery, 2008. 14: p. 180 – 189.
- Barwick, A., J. Smith, and V. Chuter, The relationship between foot motion and lumbopelvic–hip function: A review of the literature. The foot, 2012. 22(3): p. 224-231.
- Bird, A.R., A.P. Bendrups, and C.B. Payne, The effect of foot wedging on electromyographic activity in the erector spinae and gluteus medius muscles during walking. Gait and Posture, 2003. 18(2): p. 81-91.
- Bleck, E. E. (1983). “Metatarsus adductus: Classification and relationship to outcomes of treatment.” Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics 3(1): 2-9.
- Barwick, A., et al. (2012). “The relationship between foot motion and lumbopelvic–hip function: A review of the literature.” The Foot 22(3): 224-231.
- Chard, B. A. (2017). The effect of unsupportive and supportive footwear on children’s multi-segment foot dynamics during gait. USYD: Thesis
- Gordillo-Fernández, L. M., et al. (2015). “Effect by custom-made foot orthoses with added support under the first metatarso-phalangeal joint in hallux limitus patients: Improving on first metatarso-phalangeal joint extension.” Prosthetics and Orthotics International.
- Kothari, A., et al. (2016). “Are flexible flat feet associated with proximal joint problems in children?” Gait and Posture 45: 204-210.
- Mundermann, A., et al., Foot orthoses affect frequency components of muscle activity in the lower extremity. Gait & Posture, 2006. 23(3): p. 295-302.
- Nawoczenski, D.A., C.L. Saltzman, and T.M. Cook, The effect of foot structure on the three-dimensional kinematic coupling behavior of the leg and rear foot. Physical therapy, 1998. 78(4): p. 404-416.
- Tomaro, J. and R.G. Burdett, The effects of foot orthotics on the EMG activity of selected leg muscles during gait. Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy, 1993. 18(4): p. 532-536.
- Murley, G.S., K.B. Landorf, and H.B. Menz, Do foot orthoses change lower limb muscle activity in flat-arched feet towards a pattern observed in normal-arched feet? Clinical Biomechanics, 2010. 25(7): p. 728-736.
- Murley, G. S. and A. R. Bird (2006). “The effect of three levels of foot orthotic wedging on the surface electromyographic activity of selected lower limb muscles during gait.” Clinical Biomechanics 21(10): 1074-1080.
Ready, Set, Run To Foot And Leg Pain Centre
Whether you’re taking your first steps, a sports star on the rise, a student, or a retiree, if you have any pain or discomfort in your feet, this may be alleviated by footwear guidance and or orthotics. At Foot and Leg Pain Centre, we offer the latest 3D foot orthotics technology, the gold standard for customised treatments to get you back to full pain-free function as quickly as possible.
Patients from Dural, NSW, and nearby suburbs trust the Foot and Leg Pain Centre for quality care. We welcome individuals from Arcadia, Bella Vista, Castle Hill, Cherrybrook, Galston, Glenhaven, Hornsby, Kellyville, Kenthurst, Norwest, Northmead, Parramatta, Rouse Hill, Richmond, Seven Hills, Westleigh, Westmead and more. To get started, book an appointment with us today.