Footwear And Custom Orthotics Richmond
You won’t be sole-ly disappointed!
Orthotics: Support Where You Need It
Foot orthotics are a prescribed form of insole that is handmade to an individual’s specific foot or feet. Orthotics are often used to correct foot pathologies in an effort to reduce musculoskeletal pains in the feet and legs. In saying that, orthotics should always feel comfortable! They can be fitted into a wide range of footwear choices so that whatever you do and wherever you go, you can take comfort with you.
Orthotics: Explained
A child’s foot development is most crucial before they turn six, with some conditions becoming lifelong if not managed by age two. Foot orthotics can effectively address growing pains, while the right footwear can significantly enhance your child’s balance, walking, and running abilities.
General Orthotics
Custom functional orthotics are tailored to target specific joints, enhancing muscle activity and restoring optimal function. They help reduce stress on injured areas and can slow the progression of conditions like bunions and osteoarthritis. Additionally, orthotics are beneficial for managing osteoarthritis in the feet or knees, plantar fasciitis, heel spur syndrome, Morton’s Neuroma, and similar conditions. By supporting the feet and limiting abnormal movements, orthotics can prevent further injury and improve biomechanics.
Orthotics For Sport
Boost your performance and enjoy a pain-free experience with Sports Orthotics. Whether you or your child participates in football, ballet, skiing, or golf, orthotics can help you move with ease. We offer custom solutions for sport-specific footwear, including football boots, ballet slippers, ice skates, ski boots, and golf shoes.
Fashion Orthotics For Heels
Whoever said we need to suffer for fashion was straight-up wrong! Orthotics for high heels and other forms of fashion footwear may help to improve foot and leg comfort while strutting and showing off your style.
Why Trust Foot and Leg Pain Centre?
Qualified Certified Sports Podiatrist
Dr Angus Chard, PhD, brings 30 years of expertise as a sports podiatrist, specialising in the impact of footwear on foot and leg mechanics. Known for his precision, he creates top-quality custom orthotics designed for unparalleled comfort and effectiveness.
Chronic Condition-Friendly
Our goal is to relieve your chronic foot and leg pain, support the rehabilitation of your legs and feet, and empower you with the tools to maintain a pain-free life.
Motivated Team
We know how foot and leg pain can hold you back, impacting every part of your life. Our focus is on delivering affordable, top-tier solutions to address your chronic symptoms, helping you return to what you enjoy most.
Guidelines for Referrals
Looking for a podiatrist to help your patients manage chronic foot and leg pain? Our evidence-backed orthotic treatments are designed to provide lasting relief. We gladly accept referrals and collaborate under the Enhanced Primary Care Plan arrangement. Contact us to explore how we can support your patients together.
Foot And Leg Pain Centre
Your Orthotics Questions Answered
By supporting the feet with specially crafted shoe inserts, orthotics aim to correct foot posture and improve overall body alignment. They can help alleviate pain and discomfort in the lower limbs by managing muscle activation and reducing stress on critical structures.
Orthotics can be worn in a variety of shoe styles, but they aren’t compatible with every type of footwear. Your podiatrist will assess your current shoes and recommend alternatives that best support your orthotic treatment and individual foot requirements. As sports podiatrists, we aim to help you stay comfortable in your preferred heel height while navigating the complexities of fashion footwear to find the ideal fit for your needs.
Foot orthotics are special shoe inserts that help fix injured or weak parts of your feet. It’s important to check if the orthotics still fit you well every six, nine, or twelve months. Although patients find them comfortable and choose to wear them, our ultimate goal is to help patients become strong enough not to need them all the time, and wear them only when they want to.
Orthotics offer many benefits, including appropriate cushioning and support, the redistribution of pressure on your feet, and a reduction in pain caused by conditions such as arthritis, plantar fasciitis, flat feet, and bunions.
The type of shoe you wear plays into your postural alignment. Our experienced podiatrists will guide your footwear choice following an extensive gait analysis and assessment. Footwear will enhance or detract from your condition, your treatment, foot function and performance. These functional considerations will be considered with any footwear prescription.
The right footwear does more than shield your feet from rough surfaces; it aids in balance and alignment. Poorly designed or ill-fitting shoes can strain your feet, while well-fitted ones enhance their function. If you use orthotics, choosing appropriate shoes becomes even more important. At the Foot and Leg Pain Centre, we’re happy to assess your shoes to ensure they’re suitable. Quality footwear can also prevent plantar fasciitis and calluses, offering the support your feet need.
No referral is required for orthotics—book your appointment with us today!
All of our treatments are rooted in evidence-based care. For further insights on footwear and orthotics, explore the references provided.
- 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.
Get Ready To Run With Foot And Leg Pain Centre
No matter your stage of life—learning to walk, chasing athletic dreams, studying, or enjoying retirement—foot discomfort may be eased with expert footwear advice and orthotics. At Foot and Leg Pain Centre, we use cutting-edge 3D orthotics technology to provide customised care and get you back on your feet quickly. Book your appointment now to start your journey to comfort.