CODG Blog

We are often asked which is better; custom made foot orthoses or ready made ones from the drug store?  Like anything in life, it is dependent on the proper use at the proper time.  In some cases a ready made insole is appropriate to help with foot and leg conditions; other times they are not and  custom made foot orthoses are necessary. 

Ready made insoles are made to fit everyone, usually in small, medium and large and fit according to shoe size.  They offer some support for the medial longitudinal arch (along the inside of the foot) and often provide cushion to the heel.  For people that have mild foot conditions and only need a little bit of support or cushion with regular shaped feet, the ready made insoles will work fine.  Often they are used as a first treatment option.   The advantage of the ready made insoles is that they are easily available and the cost is about $40.00 - $100.00.  They are not usually covered by insurance.

Custom made foot orthoses or orthotics are usually made from plaster impressions of the feet while held in a corrected position.  The casts are then used to make the orthoses with specific criteria for the individual foot.  The support, cushion, correction and/or accommodation is designed into the orthoses based on the particular condition of the person.  Each foot orthosis is unique.  The advantage of the custom made foot orthosis is that they are made according to the medical requirements and can address the exact need of the individual which provides for better fit and function.  They can also be adjusted if there are minor changes to the medical condition.  For more information on Custom Made Foot Orthoses, click here.

If you have questions, speak to your medical doctor or schedule an appointment and we can provide you with further information.  There is no charge for the initial assessment.

The United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities is a day that “aims to promote a better understanding of disability issues with a focus on the rights of persons with disabilities and gains to be derived from the integration of persons with disabilities in every aspect of the political, social, economic and cultural life of their communities”*.  The day is consistent with the UN message and commitment to social justice and equity for all people and helps to raise awareness of barriers to access to everyday life for persons with disabilities and to improve participation in all areas of mainstream society.

Today we celebrate the contributions and participation of persons with disabilities in our lives and our communities! We will work towards a better tomorrow for all.

For more information on the UN International Day of Persons with Disabilities go to:  *  http://www.un.org/disabilities/default.asp?id=1540

After twelve years, our good friend and colleague, Geoff DeGuzman R.T.O.(c) moved on to another workplace to continue his professional career as a Registered Orthotic Technician.  Geoff has worked at CODG since finishing the Orthotic/Prosthetic Technical Program at George Brown College in 1999 and then completed his two-year Internship with us.  Geoff worked on many of the orthoses for our patients over the years and got to know many of you - he was "the guy in the back". 

We wish Geoff and his family the best of luck!

On November 2, I had the privilege of attending the Canadian Disability Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony where the Canadian Foundation for Physically Disabled Persons (CFPDP) recognizes remarkable Canadians who make exceptional contributions to the lives of people with physical disabilities.  The truly inspirational list of previous inductees include: Jeffrey Tiessen, Jeff Healey, Linda Crabtree, Dr. Geoff Fernie, Lauren Woolstencroft, Steven Fletcher, Chantal Petitclerc, David Lepofsky, Clifford Chadderton, The Hon. Lincoln M. Alexander, David Onley, Jeff Adams, Vicki Keith Munro and Rick Hansen among many others.

Rick Hansen was the dynamic guest speaker who captivated the audience with his stories and dreams.  He also shared pictures and anecdotes about the 25th Anniversary Relay - a relay that marks the 25th year after his Man in Motion World Tour.  His message about inclusion and the potential of every person is something that we try to remember each and every day.

The new 2011 inductees of the Canadian Disability Hall of Fame include:

Brian McKeever and Robin McKeever - Athletes

More information on the Canadian Disability Hall of Fame can be found at: http://www.cfpdp.com/cdhf/default.html

Custom Orthotic Design Group Ltd. and The Orthotic Centre are pleased to announce the opening of our new location within The Credit Valley Hospital.  We have moved across the Emergency Entrance foyer to the new place.  This move coincides with the beginning of our fifteenth year working in partnership with The Credit Valley Hospital.  Our services remain the same:

• Foot orthoses (orthotics or insoles)
• Treatments for people with neuro/musculo/skeletal concerns who need support, correction, protection or alignment of body parts using orthoses such as AFO's, knee braces, back braces, wrist braces and other orthopaedic appliances 
• Orthopaedic and comfort shoes
• Compression Stockings
• Medical supports

Professional Care, Professional Service - Helping You Find the Freedom to Move!

With summer around the corner, we will be spending more time outside and most of us tend to be more active.  Now is the time to make sure that we are ready for more activity by making sure that our bodies ares ready to go!  When starting a new exercise or activity plan, some of us may need to check with our doctors first to make sure that we are physically ready.  All of us need to make sure that we have the right equipment and you are ready to go when all of the rainy, cold weather ends!  Here is a check list:

Check your shoes

• Are they in good condition?   Shoes that are worn out do not provide proper support and cushion and they may contribute to injuries. 
• Are they appropriate for your activity? Shoes are made for different activities.  For example a court shoe would provide more side to side support than a shoe made for walking.  Hiking shoes offer a more rugged sole for off-road.
• Are they appropriate for your feet? Shoes are made for different foot types.  If you are someone who overpronates or has flat feet, a motion control or stability shoe that has extra support along the inside may be the best for you.  If you have a high, rigid arch, a cushion shoe may be best.  Talk to your foot wear supplier - they should be able to guide you.

Check your foot orthoses

• Are they in good condition?  Make sure that there are not any tears or splits in the orthotic.  It is often possible to repair minor defects in an orthosis, often at no charge.  If the defect becomes significant, it may be difficult to repair and cost you more.
• Are they comfortable? If your orthotics are not comfortable, you may change the way you walk or function - that may cause new problems or exacerbate the old problems - you should be comfortable!
• Are they worn out?  Foot orthoses often last three to five years but in some cases may wear out sooner.  If you are no longer getting good support, if your symptoms have returned or if they do not feel "right", book an appointment for a check-up.  At Custom Orthotic Design Group Ltd. and The Orthotic Centre, we do not charge for a check up of foot orthoses that we have made for you in the past. 

Be ready for summer - book your check-up now!

In December I had the opportunity to attend the Canadian Association of Wound Care (CAWC) Institute Levels 1-3 which works to support and educate health care professionals regarding wound prevention and management.  Some people ask, "Why wound a Certified Orthotist take a wound care course?"

My two thought processes involved in the answer are:

1. Certified Orthotists provide treatment to people with wounds on a regular basis.  We do not change dressings or apply medication, however we protect, support and offload the area of a wound to allow for better healing.  In a wound care team, the Certified Orthotist is one of the members who treat the cause of a wound and help prevent further damage.

One of the most common causes of wounds is due to peripheral neuropathy (loss of sensation) due to complications of diabetes mellitus and we see many patients on a daily basis who have diabetes.  Ideally we would treat a patient who has diabetes before complications arise to educate regarding proper foot care and proper foot wear.  If the person does have complications such as ulcers or a Charcot foot, the Certified Orthotist, offloads, or reduces pressure in the area to allow for healing.  Foot orthoses, orthopaedic shoes, ankle foot orthoses, removable cast walkers and CROW walkers are all different types of treatments that may be used based on the needs of the individual person.

2. The Canadian Association of Wound Care (CAWC) Institute is designed for the multidisciplinary team.  Doctors, nurses, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, dieticians and many other health care professionals take the course to learn about wound care and how we all fit together as a team to treat the whole patient.  As a Certified Orthotist, I play a very small part in the treatment of a wound, however as part of a team that includes all the disciplines, my small contribution helps to reduce the length of time a wound is present and treats the cause of the wound to prevent further damage.

The CAWC Institute was an excellent course where I learned more details about wound care and which also reinforced what I know and how I treat wounds. 

We have now been in our new office in the Medical Arts Building at 1 Young Street for two full months after our move from St. Joseph's Healthcare, Hamilton and as I sit here on this cold winter's day in a room full of sunshine, I can't help but think that it has been a good move.  Our new office has many windows with views to the north, east and south with much more space than our small location inside the hospital.

With the change in geography and surroundings, we have also refocused our services back to the original roots.  As Certified Orthotists, we specialize in the treatment of people who have muscular, neurological or skeletal injuries or disease.  We support, align, correct and protect the different parts of the body with different types of orthoses, braces or splints.  If you still need special shoes, we can still help you - we just don't have the fancy shoe store anymore.

So if you need your orthoses replaced, repaired or a new assessment, call us for an appointment - (905) 540-9600.  Or if you just want to see where we have gone, come on over, we are happy to show you around!

The Orthotioc Centre is having a huge week long sale to clear out all of our overstocks to make room for new shoes and boots.  Join us this week to take advantage of the savings!  Click here for more information.

We have finally unpacked everything and set up our new office in Hamilton.  We moved at the end of October from St. Joseph's Healthcare after working there for ten years.  Our new place is two blocks down the street at the corner of James and Young in the Medical Arts Building at One Young Street, Suite 705.  Our new offices offer a great view of Hamilton to the north, east and south!

We will continue to provide the best care in orthotic treatments and speciality orthopaedic shoes.

Please call for an appointment at (905) 540-9600.

After ten years at St. Joseph's Healthcare in Hamilton, The Orthotic Centre is moving to a new location!  In our new office at 1 Young Street, Suite 705 in Hamilton we will have an expanded patient care area and focus on our speciality - caring for people who need orthoses to support, align, correct or protect their body parts.  We will continue to provide some speciality orthopaedic shoes, however the retail side will be scaled back and an appointment is necessary.

Our move will take place on October 29 and we will be ready on Monday, November 8th to look after you once again.  Please call us for an appointment!    

Our feet are one of the most spectacular feats of engineering – although composed of only 26 bones, some muscles, tendons and ligaments, the structure of each foot works to accept forces up to two or three times the weight of your body, and act as shock absorbers and adaptors to uneven surfaces.  All of the structure and mechanics of the foot is then covered with skin – a living tissue that can withstand all the forces and then sense the tiniest of touch of a tickle. 

The bony structure of the foot is designed to allow for force to load down the body on a small pillar (your leg bone – tibia) into the small stacked bones of the foot, the talus and calcaneus.  Weight and forces are then transmitted to the smaller bones of the ball of the foot.  The bones act like the frame of a house – the big solid beams that hold things up.  But the bones are not static like the beams in the house. They move small amounts like a spring compressing to allow for shock absorption when your foot hits the ground and then move further to work like a lever to propel you forward when your foot pushes off to take the next step.  The pattern is repeated often thousands of times a day.

We all need to look after our feet – wearing proper shoes, caring for the skin and nails, gentle massage and stretching and just everyday pampering will help us keep our feet healthy and strong. However, when something goes wrong with the foot – take care and look after it right away; see your doctor or foot care specialist – we can help you keep the Freedom to Move!

Everyday we see many different patients, all with unique concerns and issues.  As practitioners who treat people with physical impairments of all the different body parts, Certified Orthotists often are required to create new and innovative solutions.  One example is the case of baby Christopher in Chicago that our colleague, Stewart Young C.O.(c), C.Ped.(c) had the opportunity to treat.

Christopher was born missing several ribs on either side of his body.  The ribs work to support the chest wall and protect the lungs and heart.  Without the ribs, the baby's chest wall collapsed in and he required a respirator to survive.  Christopher was lucky as a couple of weeks earlier, his doctor had seen a presentation from the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto about a special orthotic device that had been designed for a baby with a similar condition.  When the Certified Orthotists in Chicago were not able to create such a device, Christopher's doctor called Stewart to see if he could go to Chicago and help with Christopher's treatment.

After Stewart had the opportunity to assess Christopher, he was able to design a device that would address the unique issues.  Stewart created a special plastic protector for the chest area that was held in place with strapping.  The part of the treatment that was unusual was that the support had to protect the chest from outside forces like the ribs do and prevent the chest wall from caving in when Christopher took a breath.  Stewart used a special material, DuoDERM, that stuck to the inside of the brace and also to Christopher's skin.  The rigid plastic held the chest wall out in place and the baby was able to breathe on his own. 

Christopher was able to leave the hospital a couple of weeks after getting the vest.  Several weeks later, as Christopher's muscles got stronger, the vest was trimmed down and when he was strong enough to breathe on his own, he did not have to wear the device at all.  Thinking of solutions to new and unique problems is what we do as Certified Orthotists, caring for people is what we do as part of the healthcare team.

Once you have booked an appointment to have an assessment at Custom Orthotic Design Group Ltd., you may wonder what you need to bring to your appointment.  The nature of your appointment will determine what you need to have with you. Think of the things that relate to the body part we will be examining (ie. bring shorts for a knee assessment).  Here is a general list of items to think about:

- a prescription from your doctor

- any notes from other health care professionals such as your physiotherapist, occupational therapist, chiropractor, chiropodist

- any devices that you may have worn in the past (previous foot orthoses or braces)

- if you are coming in for an assessment of your feet or legs: your regular shoes

- make sure that you know your insurance information

- your schedule in the case that you need to book another appointment

- any other information that you think may help us do our job better

If you do have specific questions, please do not hesitate to call us toll free 1-(866) 829-2969 or (905)828-2969 or email at lindalaakso@customorthotic.ca

When the weather starts getting warmer, our winter boots and coats are put aside to make room for light shirts, shorts and of course, sandals.  Sandals provide some protection for our feet while allowing us keep cooler and less constricted.  While sandals are very popular, they do cause some concern for people who wear foot orthoses or who have foot or leg problems.  For people who do have foot problems or who do wear foot orthoses, there are a few choices that you can make.

Choosing the right sandal: Like choosing the right shoe for your foot type and activity, there are different options to choose from for sandals.  If you know that you will be walking or running quite a bit, it is usually better to wear your running shoes with your foot orthoses, but for hanging around and going out there are choices available that do provide good support for the feet.  Always pick a sandal that fits your foot shape well and is comfortable.  For those people who need a lot of support, something like the Birkenstock or Mephisto are good choices.  The Mephisto Zach also provides a bit of a rocker sole for those people who need protection of the ball of the foot.

                               Birkenstock Florida                                                      Mephisto Zach

Another choice for people who have foot orthoses is the sandal that has a  removable foot bed.  The insole is removed from the sandal and replaced with the custom made foot orthosis.  The sandal then provides the appropriate support and is customized to the individual.  And Yes! the foot orthosis can work with the thong sandal of the Finn Comfort Wichita.

              Mephisto Ularia                                        Finn Comfort Wichita                                       Naot Karaoke

The final choice for sandals is the custom made sandal.  A plaster impression and several measurements are taken of the feet and sandals are constructed from raw material to reflect the size, proportions and the support that the individual requires.  The custom made sandal works well for hard to fit people.