Custom Foot Orthoses- Made by the Experts!
The team of clinician researchers at SoleScience are the orthotic experts in design, manufacturing, and dispensing of these devices. Too many providers (physiotherapists, chiropractors, athletic therapists, and many others) with little to no training might call themselves experts, but beware- Poorly made devices masquerading as custom devices can, in fact, hurt you. Please see our 4 tips below about the orthotic industry and to safeguard yourself when purchasing orthoses:
1. Is the person you’re seeing qualified?:
The orthotic profession is unregulated. Due to this fact, make sure the practitioner you’re seeing for your devices has formal training in orthotics (university or college training) and not a weekend course. Beware offices that have front desk staff assess or cast you for orthoses. Many of the major insurance companies now ONLY accept claims from practitioners with proper foot and lower extremity training for orthoses. Foot and lower extremity professionals with such training are:
1. Canadian Certified Pedorthist, C Ped C
2. Podiatrist, DPM
3. Chirpodist, DCh
4. Orthotist, CO
2. Make sure the custom device you receive is really custom made!
Have you ever stepped on a computer mat to have you orthotics made? Ever wonder what kind of magic happens to suddenly make a 3 dimensional product from a 2 dimensional image of your foot? Us too. These devices, are in fact, pre-made and lined up to the “best-fit” for your foot. To get around this, you’ll see terms like “custom-fit” and “custom-prescribed” and some that will just blatantly lie (or truly not know better) and say that these off-the-shelf devices are custom made. Don’t be fooled- Only a 3 dimensional casting procedure (foam, plaster, laser) can give you a truly custom made foot orthotic. ANY true foot specialist who is bound by a code of ethics and standards of practice could loose their licence providing this type of device and calling it custom.
3. Did you receive a “special offer”, “free assessment” or “free shoes” with your orthotics?
Many clinics run these types of offers to lure people in. Trade show kisoks are also a huge red flag. Bundling footwear and orthotics is technically insurance fraud. If your receipt is not clearly itemized or is trying to conceal the fact multiple services or footwear were also proved, THIS IS INSURANCE FRAUD and should be avoided at all costs. Insurance companies have become wise to this popular scam and you not only run the risk of your claim being denied, but you may also have problems with future claims as they will be more heavily scrutinized.
4. Were you actually assessed properly? Did they touch your feet?
This sounds basic but we’re always astonished by how many people tell us after their first assessment that “You’re the first orthotic person that has actually touched my foot!” A comprehensive assessment is a sign of a qualified professional. Make sure that an assessment includes: Static weight bearing assessment of your posture, a gait (or walking) analysis, non weight-bearing range of motion assessment, and any special testing to confirm your foot problem.
The team at SoleScience are the foot orthotic experts. On top of our postgraduate training in pedorthics, and membership in the pedorthic association and college of pedorthics of Canada, all of the clinicians here are working towards or possess Masters degrees under the guidance of Colin Dombroski, PhD (adjunct research professor, Western University)
In addition to higher educations, SoleScience custom fabrication laboratory provides truly custom made foot orthoses, night splints and orthopeadic shoe modifications for many other foot and lower extremity professionals all over Ontario. Our manufacturing process has been tweaked by research partnerships with Western University, The Wolfe Orthopeadic and Biomechanics Lab and the Fowler Kennedy Clinic and the Running Injury Clinic in Calgary.
Using our GAiT profile, we will provide you with the most comprehensive foot and lower extremity assessment in our industry and provide a treatment plan to not only restore your ability, but also to help with injury prevention. All patients will receive their “injury prevention toolkit” upon their first assessment.
Make a confident choice in the orthotic experts at SoleScience!