Footwear And Custom Orthotics Westmead

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 are compatible with a wide range of shoe styles, but not every type of footwear accommodates them. Your podiatrist will review your shoes and provide recommendations for alternatives that suit your treatment and foot needs. As sports podiatrists, we help you find the right balance between comfort and fashion, ensuring you can wear the heel height of your choice comfortably. 

Orthotics are custom shoe inserts that provide support for weak or injured parts of your feet. It’s essential to reassess their fit every six to twelve months. Many patients appreciate their comfort, but our ultimate goal is to strengthen your feet, reducing reliance on them over time. 

Orthotics provide a range of advantages, such as improved cushioning, enhanced support, pressure redistribution on your feet, and relief from pain associated with conditions like arthritis, flat feet, plantar fasciitis, and bunions. 

Footwear influences your posture and overall alignment. Following an in-depth gait analysis, our podiatrists will help you choose the best shoes for your needs. Foot function, treatment, and performance are all key factors we consider when prescribing footwear. 

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! 

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.