Articles on Pronation / Gait Types
What Are Orthotics?
PUBLISHED: Jul 18, 2008
Orthotics are orthopedic devices that are used to treat a variety of biomechanical foot disorders. Whenever a person's foot is not functioning as designed, the weight of the body is not properly transferred and distributed. As a result, pain and tenderness can develop in the foot, ankle, and the surrounding muscles. Orthotics work to relieve pain by realigning and supporting the ligaments and bones of the foot properly, so that the foot can function as normal.
Orthotics can be made of any number of materials and range greatly in terms of price, effectiveness, and ease of availability. Simple orthotics, such as the shoe insoles and gel heel cups sold in general goods stores, are inexpensive and widely available. These over-the-counter orthotics can relieve mild foot discomfort by taking excess pressure off of sensitive areas of the foot. They are relatively ineffective, though, at treating moderate to more severe foot disorders.
READ MORE OF THIS ARTICLE (Acrobat PDF)
Back to Top
What are Pronation and Supination?
PUBLISHED: Jul 18, 2008
What is Pronation?
In simple terms, pronation is the flattening out of the arch when the foot strikes the ground. Normally, the foot will pronate to absorb shock when the heel hits the ground, and to assist in balance during mid-stance. The ankle will 'tip' towards the inside.
Excessive pronation can be problematic because the shifting causes increased stress on the inside/ medial aspect of the foot. It pulls on the stabilizing muscles in the lower leg (posterior tibialis) and often causes the knee to shift to the inside. The excessive stress on the inner aspect of the knee can cause knee pain, or runner's knee.
READ MORE OF THIS ARTICLE (Acrobat PDF)
Back to Top
Orthotics Primer
PUBLISHED: Jul 18, 2008
Did you know that the average person walks about 250,000 miles in their lifetime? When a person weighing 165-170 pounds walks an average of 7.5 miles a day they will carry 500 tons a day on each foot! Your feet are remarkable pieces of equipment--they must act as rigid levers to propel the body forward and also act as a shock absorbers during the their initial contact with the ground. Their complex structure allows your feet to perform these functions very well; however, they are obviously subject to tremendous stresses, making them and the other body parts associated with walking the targets for many possible problems.
During improper foot and ankle movement, the wrong muscles contract or they contact out of their proper, critical sequence. Your muscles and tendons eventually fatigue and break down suffering microscopic tears. This triggers inflammation leading to swelling, pain, and scarring in these tissues. As well, your joints may suffer excess wear leading to inflammation and possibly degeneration. Consequently, pain and dysfunction may arise in your feet, ankles, legs, knees, thighs, hips, low back, and further "up the chain."
READ MORE OF THIS ARTICLE (Acrobat PDF)
Back to Top
Gait Types
PUBLISHED: Jul 18, 2008
 Right foot |
Severe Overpronation: The outside of the heel strikes the ground first and the foot rolls inward excessively which means the foot and ankle cannot properly stabilize the body. Shock is not efficiently absorbed when overpronation occurs. Additionally, due to overpronation, the big toe and second toe must do all the work at the end of the gait cycle during toe-off. The best shoes for moderate to severe Overpronators are Maximum or Moderate Motion Control shoes depending on the severity of overpronation. |
READ MORE OF THIS ARTICLE (Acrobat PDF)
Back to Top
Orthotics for Athletes
PUBLISHED: Jul 18, 2008
For many high-performance athletes, individualized orthotics are virtually a given. It is no coincidence that many professional athletes use custom-made orthotics. Custom-made orthotics keep the foot in its most efficient alignment, allowing the bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments to work at 100% efficiency. They also protect the heel, arch, and forefoot from the unnatural and increased stress that prolonged running and sports activity produce. Whether it is to prevent problems, relieve pain, or increase efficiency, all runners and other athletes will benefit from custom-made orthotics.
READ MORE OF THIS ARTICLE (Acrobat PDF)
Back to Top
The Biomechanics of Overuse Injuries in Endurance Athletes
By Troy Smurawa, MD, Member AMSSM
PUBLISHED: Jul 18, 2008
*The following information is not meant to diagnose or treat particular symptoms. This information is not medical advice and should be used for informational purposes only. Please consult your own physician or health care provider about any opinions or recommendations with respect to your symptoms or medical condition.
The primary goals of an endurance athlete are: 1) to arrive at the starting line healthy and injury-free, 2) to have optimized training in order to be in the best shape to meet the demands of the race, 3) to finish the race with a great personal performance without injury or illness, and 4) to recover from the effects of the race.
Completing an endurance event such as a triathlon requires an athlete to have adequately prepared both physically and mentally for the challenge. Common errors in training for an endurance event are over-training, under-training, or a poorly planned training program. These errors can lead to injuries and problems during training as well as during the race.
READ MORE OF THIS ARTICLE (Acrobat PDF)
How to Choose Orthotics
FEATURED ON: http://saveyourself.ca/articles/orthotics.php by Paul Ingraham, Registered Massage Therapist
PUBLISHED: Jul 18, 2008
"We train for many years and we take our jobs very seriously. It's great to see support for pedorthists, and recognition of the difference between podiatrists and pedorthists. I have a problem with a professional who is allowed to diagnose, prescribe, and dispense within a 15-minute appointment. Prescribers are not providers for a reason!"
- T.Moffitt, C.Ped. (C) Certified Pedorthist, Edmonton, Canada
People often tell me that they think they "might need orthotics," but they rarely know more than that. Custom foot orthoses, custom orthopedic footwear, or orthopedic shoe modifications can be invaluable in the right circumstances. Unfortunately, it is difficult for consumers to determine whether or not they actually need any of these products, or where to get an expert prescription and a quality product.
Fortunately, there is a reliable source for these products and services - certified pedorthists. Although many of my clients are interested in orthotics, surprisingly few of them know what a certified pedorthist is, why they are the best choice, or where to find one.
READ MORE OF THIS ARTICLE (Acrobat PDF)
Back to Top