Foot conditions for which custom made orthotics or arch supports may be helpful include:

Plantar fasciitis and heel spurs

Morton’s neuroma

Metatarsalgia (pain under the ball of the foot)

Chronic arch strain

Bunions,

Hammer toes, claw toes,

Calluses

Achilles tendonitis

Peroneal or tibialis posterior tendonitis

Support for previously injured feet and ankles

Osteoarthritis of the foot or ankle

Diabetes with peripheral neuropathy

Conditions above the foot for which custom orthotics or arch supports are helpful in treating include:

Shin splints or medial tibial stress syndrome

Stress fractures of the shins

Patellofemoral syndrome or runner’s knee

Patellar tendonitis (jumper’s knee)

Osteoarthritis and other types of arthritis of the knee

Iliotibial band syndrome

Hip girdle dysfunction

Mechanical back pain and postural abnormalities

Generally, the closer the location of the condition is to the foot, the more predictable the success of the custom foot orthotic prescription will be in controlling it.  Conditions such as metatarsalgia can be easily addressed with a properly fitted custom orthotic or arch support and may not need any further treatment.

Conditions such as knee pain, back or hip pain are usually multifactorial.  Successful treatment in these cases usually involves other modalities such as exercises, rehabilitation, braces etc.  It is not uncommon for custom foot orthotic prescribers to prescribe and dispense a custom foot orthotic for patients for such conditions without examining the entire kinetic chain or mentioning to their clients that the custom foot orthotic is only a partial solution.  This typically leads to an increased failure rate of the custom foot orthotic with respect to controlling the condition at hand. New problems can be created without a proper examination of all the segments in the kinetic which will be impacted by a custom arch support or foot orthotic. For example someone with tight soft tissues may experience onset of knee pain or back pain after being prescribed custom foot orthotics for a simple foot condition. Another potential problem is aggravation of osteoarthritis of knee due to a standard custom orthotic prescription which has not been adjusted to accommodate for the osteoarthritis.

At The Toronto Centre for Sports Medicine, custom foot orthotics or arch supports are prescribed and dispensed only after a complete medical and orthopedic history and physical exam is performed by Dr. Jack Hakoun MD. Dip. Sport Med. (CASM). 

Dr. Hakoun has over 28 years of experience including not only orthotic dispensing but in orthopedics and sport medicine. After a comprehensive orthopedic assessment is performed, an electronic force plate analysis of static and dynamic forces is made using the TOG Gait Scan system. In addition a mold of the foot is taken. Combining the information from the biomechanical exam, force plate and the foot mold produces optimal results.

Necessary ancillary treatment in addition to custom foot orthotics is conveniently available on site at our centre.

Due to the comprehensive nature of the custom orthotic assessment and treatment at our centre, success rates are very high – approaching 100%.

There is no doubt that the procedure for custom arch supports and foot orthotics at The Toronto Centre for Sports Medicine provides a comprehensive, accurate, efficient and very effective system of orthotic prescription and treatment.