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 Pedorthics
is the design, manufacture, modification and fit of footwear,
including foot orthoses' to alleviate foot problems caused by
disease, overuse, congenital defect or injury. It's footwear,
carefully fitted, to relieve or accommodate temporary or permanent
foot problems. It can look so "mainstream" that others
don't realize a foot problem exists. It costs less than a lot
of people expect. And it can help people stay healthy.
Pedorthic Solutions
Over the course of a lifetime, most people experience some type of foot problem. It may be as simple as a blister or callus, or something complicated enough to require hospitalization.  But the majority of foot problems, although they can be serious in degree, are relatively routine in nature.
 Pedorthics uses footwear to help ease foot
problems. A certified pedorthist (C.Ped.) works as part of the
allied health care team, dispensing footwear to keep people as
mobile as possible.
Even people who don't require medical evaluation and treatment
sometimes need orthotics in their shoes, simply to make the shoes
function better. Most certified pedorthists work primarily on
prescription footwear and custom orthoses, but they can provide
over-the-counter inserts when custom work isn't necessary. Also,
because they can recognize routine foot conditions that may need
medical attention, C.Peds often refer clients to health care
providers before a potential foot problem becomes a major one.
 Meeting Individual Needs
Because no single type of footwear is appropriate
to every activity, most people find that their footwear needs-including
shoes, orthotics and hose or socks-will vary according to their
activities and performance levels. Shoes designed for office
wear, for example, are probably not sufficient to support feet
through a long afternoon at a shopping mall. Similarly, orthoses
designed for a basketball player provide a different kind of
support than orthoses for a golfer.
Whatever their activities, people should have a minimum of two pair of shoes for daily use, and should alternate wearing them. Wearing the same pair, day after day without change, can hasten the onset of foot problems, because over time a shoe's features become distorted by use.
 Several manufacturers make shoes suitable
for use in pedorthics. Some are specialized, such as "depth"
shoes. Many can be customized or modified to fit an individual's
needs. Shoes can also be custom-made from a model of the patient's
own foot.
Modification, Fabrication and Fitting
Foot orthotics are often used to address
foot problems. Orthoses can be fabricated from a variety of materials
and used in many types of shoe-athletic, therapeutic, work or
even some dress shoes. Patients should discuss their activities
with their pedorthist so the C.Ped. can provide the most effective
materials for treatment based on the doctor's prescription.
Because fit is a critical part of pedorthics, most pedorthic
patients will need more than one appointment to ensure that their
footwear fits and functions properly, particularly if the prescription
includes both an orthosis and a shoe.
 Costs of Pedorthics
Pedorthic care, undertaken at the onset of a foot condition, can reduce pain and a later need for hospitalization or surgery. Charges for pedorthic care are based on the shoes, modifications and/or orthoses needed. The cost of pedorthic services and products varies, depending on factors like materials used and complexity of the problem(s).
Most certified pedorthists work by appointment.
During the initial evaluation appointment, the patient can expect
a cost estimate for footwear and related work.
Quality Care
 Pedorthics, because it is conservative, can be truly cost-effective. Relying on the doctor's diagnosis, the certified pedorthist's ability to provide, fit and maintain the appropriate footwear, and the patient's willingness to use footwear properly pedorthics can make a profound difference in the quality of an individual's daily life.
 A footwear prescription, like a prescription
for medicine or eyeglasses, is a matter of health. When you give
a prescription to a certified pedorthist, you can rest assured
you're working with a qualified professional committed to a high
level of care as a member of the allied health team.
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