The efficacy of an orthotic device in management and treatment strategies of lower extremity pathologies depends on its ability to improve the overall functionality of the foot without compromising on comfort and fit.
By making full contact with the plantar surface of the foot, an orthotic guides the optimal movement of the lower limbs for improvements in gait and balance in addition to re-aligning the musculoskeletal system for the prevention of overuse injuries.
Such an orthotic is able to stimulate the cutaneous mechanoreceptors located in the plantar surface of the foot to enhance somatosensory feedback provided to the central nervous system through all stages of gait.
This enables efficient control during static and dynamic conditions which imply a reduction in additional muscle activity and subsequent fatigue, ensuring the individual is able to maintain a stable gait pattern whilst wearing the orthotic.
Offer your Patients a Custom Calibrated Insole with a 98% Patient Satisfaction Rate know more
A decrease in plantar sensitivity is associated with ageing; full contact orthotics are highly recommended for the elderly population to lower the risk of falls and postural imbalances.
As stated by Nigg et al. in their study on shoe inserts and orthotics for sport and physical activities, from a biomechanical point of view, comfort could be related to the fit of an insert or orthotic.
The heel pad of the orthotic is an important consideration in this regard, with its dual functional roles of reducing impact forces from the ground and protecting the heel bone, to provide maximal comfort to the feet.
Plantar pressure re-distribution is another essential component of a full contact orthotic, with equal distribution of pressure facilitated across the plantar surface of the foot to prevent ‘hot spots’.
These type of orthotics are commonly used in the treatment of structural deformities of the foot such as pes planus and hallux valgus, with the orthotics customised to reduce plantar pressure especially under the heel and metatarsal heads.
The advantage of using MASS4D® customised orthotics is the increase in contact area of the plantar surface which ensures that vertical impact forces are distributed over a larger surface area to minimise loading of high peak plantar pressure otherwise responsible for the development of foot deformities.
Copyright 2017 MASS4D® All rights reserved.
Offer your Patients a Custom Calibrated Insole with a 98% Patient Satisfaction Rate know more
Common Foot Problems Associated With Ageing
The Importance Of Optimal Plantar Pressure Distribution
Hyperpronation As A Cause Of Hallux Valgus
References:
Rehabilitation of Your Foot and Lower Back Conditions.
Long Lasting Wear
Strong Foot Support
Easy to use
Handmade MASS4D® Quality
FREE EXERCISES
Sign up for free recommended foot exercises, stretching, medical news and everything good for your feet
Please have a a look at our medical reviews and clinical articles on everything about lower biomechanics.
You should always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions regarding personal health or medical conditions.
The content, products and services offered herein, are here to educate consumers on healthcare and medical issues that may affect their daily lives. Nothing in the content, products or services should be considered, or used as a substitute for, medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This site and its services do not constitute the practice of any medical, nursing or other professional healthcare advice, diagnosis or treatment.
The marks "MASS4D" and the MASS4D logo are trademarks. The content and design of MASS4D.com is protected by U.S. and international copyright laws. You may not copy, reproduce, republish, upload, post, display, transmit or frame any of these materials without prior written consent from MASS4D®.
Medical Disclaimer
The content, products or services on this site should not be considered or used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment and is not intended to provide individual medical advice. Included materials and conversations do not imply a personalised doctor-patient relationship.
Copyright and Intellectual property
MASS4D® is owned and operated by Scheibye General Trading LLC - Licence no: 853463
MASS4D® and Logo are registered trademarks of MASS4D Inc. All content, trademarks, artwork, and associated imagery are trademarks and/or copyright material of MASS4D® Inc.