Orthotics are prescription insoles.

This involves a biomechanical assessment and taking a mould of your foot and then picking the materials for your orthotics.

It is important to bring the shoes you wear regularly and your walking shoes or runners with you when coming for your first appointment, so we can see how you wear down your shoes.

Biomechanical Assessment includes measurements of:

Gait Analysis

Flexibility and strength

Leg length

Height of the arch

Bunnions and hammer toes

Mould

This is done using a foam box.  The foot is placed in the foam box to measure the required support.

Materials

The flexibility and hardness can be made to suit the individual.

The hardness is usually determined by the individuals body weight and activity level.

Orthotics can be full length, 3/4 length, or cobra shaped (for narrow ladies shoes).

We then send the prescription and mould to a company called Footcare N.I. Ltd. who manufacture the orthotics.

It takes approx. 4 weeks for the orthotics to come back.

Once you have recieved your orthotics there is a breaking in period. 

You will be then reviewed to ensure good fit of the orthotic in your shoes.

Like anything orthotics need to be refurbished and can be done as needed.

Orthotics should last a long time. 

They may need to be changed if you break your ankle or foot or put on a considerable amount of weight.

For children they need to be changed with a change of shoe size generally.