Orthotics – What they are and what they can do for you
Orthotics are special inserts that go inside your shoes can that relieve pain and put the ‘spring back in your step’. They alleviate symptoms related to flat feet and high arches, such as heel pain, bunions, shin splints, leg pain, knee issues and backache. Many sports people find they help alleviate pain during or after sport and reduce fatigue, allowing you to play and run longer and harder. Children can benefit from orthotics when they have ‘growing pains’, flat feet or if they trip and fall a lot or are in-toeing when walking. Having orthotics can give you back the freedom to enjoy sport and daily activities without pain.
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What is ‘Biomechanics’?
Biomechanics is the study of the movement of the body and how the muscles, bones, ligaments and tendons work together to produce movement. If you have pain in the lower half of the body (back, hips, knees, legs, feet) that may be related to the foot function. It is worth having a biomechanical examination by the podiatrist to assess if orthotics may help relieve some of the pain and symptoms. Our podiatrists work very closely with osteopaths and physiotherapists and look at the function of the body as a whole not just at the individual problem. Orthotics can be custom made or pre-fabricated (off the shelf standard prescriptions). Custom made orthotics can be tailored to the individuals foot type, sport, weight and footwear, and can achieve better control and comfort than a standard prescription orthotic.
The custom made orthotics from the Osteopathy and Podiatry Centre are manufactured at our laboratory in Australia, who use the latest digital techniques. The Osteopathy and Podiatry Centre was the first private podiatry clinic in Singapore that uses the latest 3D laser scanner to take very accurate measurements of the foot. We are able to make orthotics that can fit into a wide variety of shoes including certain types of sandals. Your orthotic records are stored digitally at the lab so subsequent pairs can be ordered at any time.
Bunions
A bunion is an abnormal bony bump that forms at the joint at the base of the big toe. They are often painful in the later stages of development. Early management by a podiatrist with custom made orthotics and good footwear may slow down the progression of a bunion. A podiatrist will assess the gait and bio-mechanics of the foot and prescribe an orthotic accordingly.
Bunions form when the normal balances of forces to the foot are disrupted. Abnormalities in walking and bio-mechanical problems such as excessive rolling in of the foot (overpronation), short second metatarsals, ligament laxity and differences in leg length are the main cause of bunions. They develop slowly over the years often beginning unnoticed in childhood. Genetics can also play a part with bunions being seen in several generations of one family.
Common contributing factors include poorly fitted shoes, the wearing of high heels, flat feet and arthritis.
If the pain interferes with daily activity or you are unable to accommodate wear regular shoes surgery may be necessary and you should consult with an orthopaedic surgeon.
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Shin Splints
Shin splints are an annoying problem that are common in runners and can limit your ability to run comfortably. We understand that runners need to get back to their activity as soon as possible and our podiatrists can facilitate this.
Poor footwear, foot posture and biomechanics can lead to instability and in an effort to keep the foot, ankle and lower leg stable the muscles exert a great force on the tibia. A biomechanical and gait assessment allows us to ascertain the root cause of the shin splints. Management can involve change of footwear, exercises and orthotics.
Shin splints can occur in adults and children alike but tend to occur in more active individuals.
Your first step to recovery is to book an appointment. Call +65 6734 4236 or book online here
Flat Feet
Flat feet, pes planus or ‘fallen arches’ refers to a condition where the arch of the foot is flattened and in some cases, but not always in contact with the floor. Flat feet are often genetic. Flat feet do not always cause pain but as a person gets older they are more likely to have symptoms associated with the flat foot such as heel pain, shin splints, bunions, Achilles tendonitis, knee and lower back pain. Other factors that can influence the likelihood of pain are obesity, footwear and activity.
There are many causes of ‘flat feet’ so the podiatrist will assess the feet as well as the other external factors before deciding on an appropriate plan. This may include exercises, stretches, icing, orthotics, footwear advice and weight loss. A safe diet plan can be made with our qualified dietician.
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Leg Length Discrepancies (Unequal Leg Length)
People are often unaware that unequal leg length can cause symptoms as far up the body as the back, shoulders and neck. It can cause one sided knee, hip and lower back pain and can also be the root cause of scoliosis. Leg length can be structural (bony) or functional. Functional leg length discrepancies can have a multitude of causes such as muscular imbalances, unequal pronation or supination at the foot, pelvic rotation and sacro-iliac joint dysfunction. At the Osteopathy and Podiatry Centre we aim to treat you as a team to get to the root cause of the problem.
To book an appointment call +65 6734 4236 or book online here