At Step by Step, we are dedicated to improving your quality of life within our professional designation.

While committed to a relationship of caring & compassion, we are determined to help, and we love what we do.
 

We look forward to meeting you and supporting your needs on your way to healthier feet.

Foot orthoses (also known as “orthotics”) are custom foot supports. They are designed to fit your feet more efficiently than over-the-counter (OTC) arch supports and correct any biomechanical imbalances between your feet and legs.

What are Orthotics?

Custom orthotic foot braces are corrective devices made to assist a foot that fails biomechanically, to function normally. The orthotics are made to control abnormal foot function, re-establish proper weight distribution and improve overall biomechanics. We use a State-of-the-Art Manufacturing System. Following an evaluation, a neutral position foot mold is taken and sent to our Professional Orthotic Lab where a positive cast is produced. Specially selected thermoplastics are vacuum heat molded to the patient’s positive plaster cast. Modifications will be incorporated to meet the patient’s needs.

How do Orthotics work?

Orthotics are prescribed custom devices worn to correct a physical problem, restoring proper function and/or relieving pain. They fit in your shoes to control the way your feet function and to alleviate pain from instability, flat feet, heel pain, persistent ankle sprains, bunions, corns, or calluses, and other problems.

Most of these problems result from a misalignment of foot bones and muscles. Orthoses provide the support your feet need. This support helps with proper balance and controlled weight transfer from foot to foot.

The proper use of these corrective devices should significantly reduce a patient’s symptoms or foot related pain and discomfort. Some conditions may be severe and have already undergone osseous change. In this case the orthotics will prevent further damage and promote soft tissue restoration.

Custom orthotics addresses the biomechanical cause of the condition. Think of your orthotics like prescription eyeglasses. They correct alignment when they are worn. Orthotics are not like dental braces which correct alignment over time.

Why do I need a Prescription?
 Your feet are unique, so your orthotics must customized specifically for you. Even with similar symptoms between patients, each person’s specific requirements are different. A prescription is always required to address your specific needs.

For minor problems, you could try non-prescription over the counter arch supports and they may work well, just as a pair of non-prescription glasses can help you read small print. However, customized orthotic management may be required to address your individual needs.

Orthoses are prescribed to eliminate pressure points, improper foot rotation and painful muscle strain. They let you resume normal activities such as walking, running, exercise or sports with total comfort.
 

How Can Step By Step Help?

First, our Chiropodist will complete a thorough static and dynamic examination, known as a clinical bio-mechanical evaluation. During this process we assess your condition and its cause; take a medical history and evaluate your walking pattern using in-shoe gait analysis. The examination must take into consideration factors such as your age, physical condition, work, activities, even the shoes you normally wear. This determines the amount of correction necessary. Your orthotic is derived from this platform with the corrections necessary to address your specific situation. Any orthotic dispensed without a complete bio-mechanical evaluation and neutral, non-weight bearing plaster cast, is not custom.

Next, your orthotics management plan is created specifically for you based on the examination results. Our Chiropodist will make actual 3D casts or impressions of your feet held in their neutral or correct position.

These casts, along with our Chiropodist’s clinical evaluation, go to an orthotics laboratory. There, professional technicians hand craft your orthotics from high impact materials, adding necessary corrections as prescribed. Your orthotics come back to your foot care specialist ready for your personal fitting.

There may be a gradual break-in period, but once you get used to them, your feet and body will be biomechanically aligned. You won’t want to walk without them again!
 

Most people who are searching for new footwear don’t think to take their business beyond the typical retail chain. Such shoe stores are familiar and in many cases can offer a range of options that are perfect for the average shopper. But, for individuals who are in need of special footwear, or just for those who are looking to broaden their horizons a bit, there is a whole world of clinic-provided shoes at their disposal. While these options aren’t immediately apparent to most people, gaining a little knowledge about them can mean a big difference for their health.

What are the specific benefits a foot clinic can offer? While not necessary in every case, the additional professional help can definitely be the right solution if you are looking for treatment for a specific condition, or when ensuring proper fitting. If you’re wondering when a trip to your chiropodist is in your best interest, consider the following points:

Expert fitting

We’ve all had the experience of spending an hour or more at the shoe store trying to find the perfect fit. Trial and error can be slow going, and even if you have a pretty good idea of what you’re looking for, it’s easy to end up with a shoe that isn’t perfectly suited to your foot. It’s the reason why we have chiropodists and foot clinics, since it takes an expert eye and a wealth of knowledge to consistently get good results. At a certified foot clinic, you’ll have a real doctor at your disposal to help you make the perfect choice.

Improperly fitted shoes can cause all sorts of problems like blisters and rashes. It’s not to say that most trips to your local retail chain will result in such problems, and frequently getting the right fit can come from your own patience and experience. For fitting purposes, your chiropodist can be a reliable option for those who are having a difficult time finding comfortable shoes, or who want a professional opinion on how to best fit their feet.

Correct support

Often, individuals can experiences problems that would seem at first glance to have nothing to do with feet, but in fact stem from their choice of footwear. Issues as diverse as lower back pain, incorrect posture, and difficulty balancing can point back to a variety of foot conditions, or to improper selection of footwear. So, aside from being properly fitted, shoes need to offer the right support, and the best way to achieve this is to consult a trained chiropodist. Whether the correct support comes from the shoes themselves, specialty inserts, or braces, a doctor will be able to recommend the correct choice.

The right solution

The time when it is most crucial to get your new shoes from a clinic is when you are working to correct a specific foot or gait-related condition. In these cases, the direct supervision of your chiropodist is essential to make sure you get the right footwear. Flat feet are one of the more common problems seen today. If left untreated, this condition can lead to ankle and knee problems. Many of the necessary footwear options just can’t be found in the usual retail store, and this is when a foot clinic becomes the best option.

If you’re an athlete, the likelihood and impact of potential foot problems goes up, as you are subjecting yourself to a greater degree of physical activity. Getting attention from a trained professional becomes a top priority in this case, to keep yourself in top physical condition and to reduce the threat of serious physical injury.