FAQs
What is a Pedorthist?
A Pedorthist is an individual who is trained and certified in the assessment, design, manufacture, fit and modification of foot appliances and footwear for the purposes of alleviating painful or debilitating conditions and providing assistance for abnormalities or limited actions of the lower limb.
The Pedorthist provides devices and footwear to assist in:
- Accommodation of foot deformities
- Re-alignment of anatomical structures
- Redistribution of external and internal forces
- Improvement of balance
- Control of biomechanical function
- Accommodation of circulatory special requirements; and enhancement of the actions of limbs compromised as a result of accident, congenital deformity, neural condition, or disease.
Do I need a Doctor's referral to come to your clinic?
To see the Pedorthist or Chiropodist, NO.
To see one of the Specialist Physicians, YES. (click here to download our referral form)
Our Pedorthic and Chiropody staff are available to assess and treat your leg and footcare needs and no referral is necessary.
Our specialist physicians are just that, Specialists. As such, they require a referral from your doctor (family doctor, surgeon, endocrinologist, or other physician)
What technique do you use to cast the foot in order to make an orthotic?
There are many casting techniques that can be used in the manufacture of custom foot orthotics. The important thing to remember is that a 3-dimensional mold of your foot is essential. Many computer generated orthotics are not 3-dimensional and therefore not truly custom made for the patient. These devices are rather a prefabricated insole which has been “modified” with wedges, lifts, pads, etc. to “best match” it to the client’s foot.
At Walking Mobility Clinics our highly trained staff use a wide variety of casting techniques depending on the individual needs of our patients. This may include, state-of-the-art laser scanning, plaster cast, wax mould, foam box and Amfit 3-D CAD/CAM.
Who makes my orthotics? What lab do you use?
Aside from our “multidisciplinary” team, this is a very important differentiating factor in what makes Walking Mobility Clinics different from other foot care facilities.
We manufacture all of our own orthotics at our own state-of-the-art laboratory. Further, each clinic houses its own lab where our Pedorthists and technicians have the ability to fit and adjust each appliance by hand. This leads to better control of the process and fewer mistakes.
Who is authorized to provide orthotics in Canada?
Orthotics must be dispensed by a provider that has one of the following designations:
- D.P.M. (Podiatrist)
- C Ped (C) (Pedorthist) ***Note: The title C Ped is an American designation with a very different level of training. This is NOT a Canadian certified Pedorthist and in many cases will not be considered an authorized provider in Canada
- D.Ch. (Chiropodist)
- C.O.(C) (Orthotist)
Be wary of anyone calling themselves a Posture Therapist and/or Foot Specialist. They likely do not have the proper training and credentials to make assessments and your insurance company will not cover any claims submitted by anyone other than the accredited professionals
What material are your orthotics made from? ie. Are your orthotics hard or soft?
The short answer……..All of the above
The type of material used is based on your individual foot type and usage. Some people may require a stiffer orthotic if they need to control the flexibility/movement of the foot. Others may require a softer material based on limited mobility, arthritic or diabetic requirements and/or other contributing factors. At Walking Mobility Clinics we utilize a wide variety of materials in order to accommodate all forms of treatment required.
What is included in the cost of your orthotics? What follow-up service do you offer?
Like most footcare providers, we charge a fee for our initial assessment which will include gait analysis, range of motion and specific muscle/functional testing.
However if it is determined that you would benefit from the use of a custom device, the cost of the initial assessment is used as a deposit for that device.
The cost of your orthotic therefore includes: casting for the appliance, manufacture of the appliance, cost of the orthotic materials, appointment to pick up the appliance, and routine follow-up appointments to ensure the proper fit of your appliance. We also provide an annual check-up one-year following the original fitting.
Are orthotics covered by my Insurance Provider?
Every plan is different. Some plans will cover the cost of an orthotic made by a certified professional and with a proper prescription from a physician up to 100% of the cost. Most present-day plans offer a co-pay, where the insurance company will pay a certain amount or percentage (eg. 80%) for the device with the client required to make up the difference.
We recommend that you check what your plan covers by contacting your insurance company directly if you have been prescribed orthotics by your doctor.
How often do orthotics need to be replaced?
It varies from orthotic to orthotic and person to person. There are a number of variables that will determine how long an orthotic will last. For example, a harder orthotic will last longer than a softer one, however, a hard orthotic may not be appropriate for your condition (ie. arthritis, diabetes, etc.). Also, both the amount of wear the orthotic receives will affect its longevity as will the weight of person wearing it.
However, on average, an orthotic should last 2-3 years before it requires replacement.
At Walking Mobility Clinics, each patient that is fitted with an orthotic at one of our clinics is booked for an annual check-up following their original fitting at no cost. At that appointment we will re-examine the patient’s alignment and foot architecture for any changes and we will examine the orthotic for signs of wear.
Do you make orthotics for children?
Yes, we do make children’s orthotics in cases where they are required. However, it is important to know that most children have what appears to be “flat feet”. It does take time for the arch to develop, and many children have very “fat” feet which can give them the appearance of being flat. Orthotics are not required in these cases.
Some children do have significant alignment or architectural issues that do require orthotic treatment.
Will your orthotics fit in my current shoes?
Proper footwear is essential to ensure the optimal functioning of your orthotic. Very often we find that patients who have previously been fitted with orthotics have had little or no instruction as to appropriate footwear to also help with their condition.
We will give you guidance as to appropriate footwear to help with your condition. Very often we will evaluate your present footwear to help determine which shoes will work and which ones will not.
Our clinics do carry a wide variety of footwear. Orthopaedic specialty footwear, high performance athletic footwear, orthopaedic sandals, and custom made footwear are all available if needed.
Further, we manufacture a wide variety of custom orthotic designs including: Sport, Casual and Dress in order to ensure that we make the right kind of orthotic device to fit with your lifestyle and wardrobe. Having a lab on-site allows us to ensure that the orthotics are fitting properly in your shoes before you leave our office!