Frequently Asked Questions
What is a custom orthotic?
Orthotics are defined as any device used to support and align a part of the body. A foot orthotic is a device that can be discretely inserted into a shoe to support, align, or accommodate foot deformities or poor foot mechanics. Custom foot orthotics are precision medical devices that are custom-made to correct your specific imbalance and biomechanical misalignment (e.g. high arch or flat feet).
Custom orthotics can be used for the treatment of a variety of lower extremity conditions such as Plantar Fasciitis. They can relieve pain, improve skeletal alignment or improve the function of your foot and lower limbs!
Orthotics can also improve athletic and occupational performance by realigning poor alignment and reducing excess strain on the feet and lower legs. Orthotics can be pre-made (over-the-counter) or custom made from a three-dimensional cast.
Beware of companies that provide only one type of orthotic or customized, non-custom casted orthotics. True custom orthotics are made from precise impressions of your feet.
Walking Mobility is a leader in this field. Our clinical team of Canadian-Board Certified Pedorthists assess your needs using the latest computerized gait analysis equipment available.
Walking Mobility’s Lab Service Division also manufacturers custom-made premium quality foot orthotics for patients of healthcare professionals across Canada in our lab facility at Surrey, BC.
What is a Pedorthist?
A pedorthist is an individual who is trained in the assessment, design, manufacture, fit and modification of foot appliances (including orthotics) and footwear for the purposes of alleviating painful or debilitating conditions and providing assistance for abnormalities or limited actions of the lower limb.
At Walking Mobility, our pedorthists first possess a Bachelors Degree in Kinesiology or Health Sciences, and then go through a 3500-hour intensive in-house residency program or a 12-month university accredited diploma in pedorthics program.
Upon completion, these individuals must then successfully complete examinations by the College of Pedorthics of Canada to become Canadian Certified Pedorthists.
The pedorthist provides orthotics 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.
For more information on pedorthists and pedorthics in Canada, visit www.pedorthic.ca.
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.
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)
How does a foot orthotic work?
The primary goal of a foot orthotic is to help to reduce unnecessary stresses and strains in the feet, lower limbs and lower back by re-aligning your feet within your footwear, or accommodating specific conditions or deformities. Used in conjunction with appropriate footwear, a foot orthotic can be effective in helping to treat a number of foot and lower limb conditions including:
- Plantar fasciitis
- Metatarsalgia
- Bunions
- Achilles tendonopathy
- Shin splints
- Patellofemoral pain syndrome
- Iliotibial pain syndrome
- Low back pain
Custom foot orthotics can also help with pain and complications related to health conditions such as diabetes or arthritis.
Improper foot alignment can lead to a wide variety of foot, knee, and lower back problems. By improving the alignment the body is able to function more efficiently with less stress on the muscles and ligaments that hold you together.
Am I a candidate for orthotics?
If you are experiencing foot or lower limb discomfort, ask your physician if a referral to one of our Canadian Certified Pedorthists would help.
A detailed assessment from an orthotic and footwear fitting expert, such as a Pedorthist, can confirm if orthotics will assist you with a particular foot, lower limb, or even back problem.
If orthotics are deemed beneficial for you, your Pedorthist will use one of a variety of casting techniques to gain three-dimensional images of your feet. Truly custom orthotics cannot be made without a three-dimensional cast or image. Imprints on digital force mats or ink impressions on paper are not three-dimensional images.
After a cast has been taken our in-house technical team begins fabrication of the custom orthotics with close attention and direction from the assessing Pedorthist
Learn about Walking Mobility’s orthotics process.
We believe in educating you with the knowledge about your injury or condition, so that you are better able to help yourself in reducing your risk of injury in the future.
How does the Orthotic Comfort Guarantee work?
Walking Mobility is 100% committed to your foot health and we want you to feel confident in your decision to proceed with custom foot orthotic therapy. Part of our promise to you is our Comfort Guarantee. While it is impossible to guarantee 100% recovery from an injury or medical condition, we do guarantee that you will feel improved comfort while wearing your orthotics or we will give you your money back.
Refunds will only be given after 10 weeks and before 6 months following the fitting date. No refunds will be provided after 6 months following the fitting date. An initial assessment fee of $95 will be subtracted from all refunds.
All patients must have received a minimum of two adjustments to their orthotics by a certified pedorthist at Walking Mobility, which may include an orthotic remake at the pedorthist’s discretion.
For patients that have submitted their claim to private insurance the remaining balance of the orthotic price will be refunded. Refunds will not be given to approved claims where Walking Mobility was paid directly by a 3rd party.
Compliance to all pedorthist treatment recommendations must be charted by the pedorthist at the fitting appointment and all follow-up and adjustment appointments. Pedorthist treatment recommendations may include, but not limited to, a change in footwear, stretching exercises, icing, massage, physiotherapy and chiropractic treatment.
This guarantee is subject to change at anytime.
Do I need to book an appointment for an estimate on braces?
We recommend contacting your nearest Walking Mobility location, as it really depends on what level of bracing you require. If it is off-the-shelf, any of our Fitting Experts can provide a quote to you during a walk-in visit. However, if you will require a custom brace you will need to book an appointment with a Brace Fitter. Our Fitting Experts will be able to help you with this in-store.
OHIP Coverage
Your visit with one of our specialist physicians at our orthopedic clinics is covered through OHIP provided you have a referral from your physician. We request that you bring any of the required documentation with you at the time of your visit.
While your appointment with our medical staff might be covered by OHIP, assessments by our other staff members are not OHIP insured. Many of the products and services that we provide are typically covered by third party insurance plans. We recommend that you contact your insurance provider to determine what your plan covers.
If your doctor has prescribed for you a specific appliance or device (eg. custom foot orthotics, knee brace, compression socks), please contact your insurance provider prior to your appointment with regard to your coverage. As policies and requirements vary from plan to plan, please bring your benefit information with you to your appointment to help avoid any unnecessary delays in processing your claim.
Referral Form – to make an appointment with one of our professionals, kindly request a referral from your family physician and fill out this form.