 | Robert Scheibmeir
is owner and operator of Foot Care of Kansas, and the Good Feet Store. The Good Feet Store is a dealership that was opened in October 2001. Foot Care of Kansas opened in June 2002 and serves the needs of diabetics as well as other medical foot care problems. Prior to purchasing Foot Care of Kansas and the Good Feet Store, Mr. Scheibmeir owned and operated Robert’s Shoecare Services in Hutchinson, Kansas for 12 years. Robert has been working with foot care for more than 23 years. He became a Certified Pedorthist in 1999, which requires an extensive knowledge of the foot and how to make shoes and arch supports work together. You may contact Robert at Good Feet at 316-945-9300 or at Foot Care of Kansas at (316) 944-2120. |
Health & Medicine
2003-01-01 12:18:00
What are ‘orthotics’?
ANSWER: Orthotics are orthopedic devices designed to treat or adjust various biomechanical foot disorders. They may be simple, commercially made devices, such as cushioned heel cups or insoles for shoes. These are sold over-the-counter in drug stores or other retail establishments. The best orthotics, however, are custom-tailored devices specifically crafted to meet the needs of a particular individual. This is done by making an impression of the foot called a cast. The impressions in the cast duplicate any misalignments in the foot. Specialists in an orthotic laboratory can then correct the misalignments with compensation and stabilization techniques. The finished orthotic is then placed in the patient's shoe and helps keep the foot in proper alignment. Depending upon the patient's needs, the orthotic may have padding to cushion the foot against the weight of the body. In general, podiatrists group orthotics into four broad categories. Functional orthotics incorporate special wedges to adjust the heel or forefoot, correcting defects in the arch that cause poor shock absorption, such as excessive pronation (flattening of the arch) or supination (an arch that is too high). Weight-dispersive or accommodative orthotics typically feature padding designed to relieve pain caused by excessive pressure on the metatarsal heads. Other accommodative orthotics are designed to treat pain and pressure on the sesamoid bones, collapsed tarsal bones, sores and chronically inflamed toes. Supportive orthotics are arch supports usually prescribed to treat problems of the plantar arch. Early childhood orthotics are special devices designed to correct biomechanical walking problems identified in young children. They include splints, gait plates and night bars - devices used to hold a child's feet and legs at a proper angle while sleeping, thus promoting corrective adjustment for excessive toe-in or toe-out walking. Next time we will talk about who should use an orthotic.
