What are Orthotics?

Orthotics

Orthotics is an allied health care medical profession or field that is concerned with the design, development, fitting and manufacturing of orthoses, which are devices that support or correct musculoskeletal deformities and/or abnormalities of the human body.

The term is derived from the "ortho", meaning to straighten. Sciences such as materials engineering, gait analysis, anatomy and physiology, and psychology contribute to the work done by orthotists, professionals engaged in the field of orthotics. Individuals who benefit from a complex orthosis may have an orthopedic condition such as scoliosis or a fracture or have sustained a physical impairment from a stroke or spinal cord injury, or a congenital abnormality such as spina bifida or cerebral palsy.

Simpler foot orthoses allow the muscles, tendons and bones of the feet and lower legs to function at their highest potential. When appropriately prescribed, these orthoses can decrease pain and increase stability in an unstable joint, along with preventing potential progression or development of a deformity. Improved quality of life often results from the application of the principles of orthotics.

Custom/prefabricated

Some professionals — in particular, podiatrists, chiropractors, physical and occupational therapists, and medical doctors — use the word orthotic to describe a foot-supporting device or insole. Occasionally the word is used to describe the complex devices that directly address joint motion. Orthosis (plural: orthoses) is the base word for orthotic and is grammatically more apt to describe the items or devices that provide direct contact with a portion of the external body surface, rendering resistance to unwanted movement. All orthoses, including casts, are fabricated prior to or concurrent with being delivered or fitted to the person using them. Some devices are made or fabricated with specifications that derive directly from considerations of a single patient and are considered to be custom made. Other orthoses are prefabricated and are made to fit by sizing (e.g. small, medium or large).

Differing orthoses may directly support the lower and/or upper extremity, or the spine. The process that characterizes the practice that is orthotics involves device manufacturing by specialized technicians and fitting to the end-user or patient by an orthotist. The professionals listed above: doctors and therapists, along with ancillary clinical support personnel, also can be found fitting orthotic devices. The orthotist generally works by prescription. Some prefabricated orthoses can be found in a pharmacy. Some prefabricated orthoses, or supports, are soft and can be purchased as a retail item. Care in proper fit of any device that applies force to the body must be taken to ensure good results and to prevent unwanted problems from an orthosis that is too tight or otherwise uncomfortable.

Benefits

In addition to providing relief for painful foot problems or an injury, those who may benefit from orthotics include people who must walk or stand excessively on the job. For those who are active in sports, orthotics will often increase endurance, performance and strength. For overweight individuals, orthotics can help to counteract the extra stress on the feet, as minor problems are often magnified due to the increased weight.

Orthotics are particularly effective in relieving foot fatigue and discomfort experienced by older adults, who may have developed arthritis in their feet. Orthotics may also be prescribed for children who have a foot deformity.

In athletic individuals, sports activities result in a great deal of movement and pressure on the foot. Slight imbalances in the foot that are not harmful or even detectable under usual circumstances may make one more vulnerable to injury with the extra stress of sports activity. By eliminating the need for one's muscles to compensate for imperceptible imbalances, orthotics can reduce fatigue and promote efficient muscle function to enhance performance With enough functional correction, the foot structure can be aligned to give more propulsion, making walking, running and cycling more mechanically efficient.