Podiatrists at FOOT LIFE specialize in biomechanical care and orthotics, which ease and correct foot postural problems in children. FOOT LIFE has cared for over 100,000 clients since 1979 and uses digital video gait analysis and CAD-CAM orthotic technology.
As with all medical problems, good treatment depends on good assessment and diagnosis. Podiatrists treating children with pain or postural problems begin with a thorough physical examination which includes muscle and reflex testing, and proprioception and balance tests. Range-of-motion testing at the hip, knee, ankle, sub-talar (the joint directly under the ankle) and mid-tarsal joints (the joint in the middle of the arch) are then performed.
Next, the podiatrist completes a digital video gait analysis which looks at the child’s feet both standing (static) and walking (mid-stance – when the weight is on one foot only). Measurements are recorded and the podiatrist then determines which joints are responsible for the problems and what treatment is required. The parents and child can then view the video in slow-motion or freeze-frame to easily see where the problems are.
For foot, leg and back pain that is related to incorrect alignment of the feet, and problems such as “Flat feet”, in-toed gait, knock knees, “growing pains”, tripping/clumsiness or uneven shoe wear, orthotics are often prescribed. orthotics realign foot and body alignment to make children look more “normal”. For children with sporting injuries, podiatrists believe orthotics greatly reduce the incidence of injuries and results in less “down-time” from sport and training.
At FOOT LIFE, orthotics are usually constructed by first scanning the foot in its ideal position – called the “neutral sub-talar position”. The podiatrist then adds corrections to the scanned image to enhance the client’s foot biomechanics and then the image is transferred to a computerized milling machine which mills the orthotics to their exact specifications. This process is called CAD-CAM (Computer Aided Design – Computer Aided Milling).
When problems are associated with pain at a joint or bony prominence, weight-bearing x-rays may be ordered to confirm a diagnosis. When the knees or hip joints are partly responsible for symptoms or postural problems (e.g. in-toed gait), it is normal for the podiatrist to refer the child to a physiotherapist for corrective exercises in addition to orthotics treatment. In extreme cases, children may be referred to a foot surgeon for arch reconstruction surgery.
FOOT LIFE can make orthotics from hard or soft materials, and in three-quarter or full-length insoles. Unlike braces for children’s teeth, orthotics cannot permanently correct the structure of bones or joint position. This means they are more like eyeglasses – they only work whilst they are worn (school and sport is quite sufficient). Children need to replace their orthotics every 1 to 3 years depending on their growth rate.
Children’s Foot Problems
Podiatrists at FOOT LIFE specialize in biomechanical care and orthotics, which ease and correct foot postural problems in children. FOOT LIFE has cared for over 100,000 clients since 1979 and uses digital video gait analysis and CAD-CAM orthotic technology.
As with all medical problems, good treatment depends on good assessment and diagnosis. Podiatrists treating children with pain or postural problems begin with a thorough physical examination which includes muscle and reflex testing, and proprioception and balance tests. Range-of-motion testing at the hip, knee, ankle, sub-talar (the joint directly under the ankle) and mid-tarsal joints (the joint in the middle of the arch) are then performed.
For foot, leg and back pain that is related to incorrect alignment of the feet, and problems such as “Flat feet”, in-toed gait, knock knees, “growing pains”, tripping/clumsiness or uneven shoe wear, orthotics are often prescribed. orthotics realign foot and body alignment to make children look more “normal”. For children with sporting injuries, podiatrists believe orthotics greatly reduce the incidence of injuries and results in less “down-time” from sport and training.
At FOOT LIFE, orthotics are usually constructed by first scanning the foot in its ideal position – called the “neutral sub-talar position”. The podiatrist then adds corrections to the scanned image to enhance the client’s foot biomechanics and then the image is transferred to a computerized milling machine which mills the orthotics to their exact specifications. This process is called CAD-CAM (Computer Aided Design – Computer Aided Milling).
When problems are associated with pain at a joint or bony prominence, weight-bearing x-rays may be ordered to confirm a diagnosis. When the knees or hip joints are partly responsible for symptoms or postural problems (e.g. in-toed gait), it is normal for the podiatrist to refer the child to a physiotherapist for corrective exercises in addition to orthotics treatment. In extreme cases, children may be referred to a foot surgeon for arch reconstruction surgery.
FOOT LIFE can make orthotics from hard or soft materials, and in three-quarter or full-length insoles. Unlike braces for children’s teeth, orthotics cannot permanently correct the structure of bones or joint position. This means they are more like eyeglasses – they only work whilst they are worn (school and sport is quite sufficient). Children need to replace their orthotics every 1 to 3 years depending on their growth rate.