Biomechanical Assessment
A biomechanical assessment involves an examination of the lower limbs, looking at their structure, alignment, strengths and weaknesses.
Biomechanical assessment is very beneficial if you are experiencing pain in your feet or lower limbs but no case has been established. A biomechanical assessment is the starting point for understanding the cause of your problem, what treatment is needed or whether further investigations are necessary. It provides the Podiatrists with insight about walking patterns and muscular-skeletal alignment.
The foot is a complex structure of 28 different bones, 214 ligaments and 38 muscles, bearing our body weight as we walk every day.
The examination is not focused simply upon the foot but includes pelvis, legs and knees, assessing the relationship between them. It is important to examine the lower limbs as a whole because they are closely connected and pain in one area can be due to a weakness or structural problem in another area.
Orthotics
Orthotics are made to adjust the way a person stands and walks, or to distribute pressure evenly across the sole of the foot. These direct adjustments within the feet can affect the function of the person’s ankle, knee, hip and spine.
Some orthotics are simple, commercially-made devices, such as cushioned heel cups or insoles for shoes that are sold over the counter in drug stores or other retail establishments.
The most effective orthotics, however, are custom-made devices that are crafted to meet the specific needs of a particular individual. Custom orthotics are created using an impression of the foot called a cast, which duplicates any misalignments in foot structure. Using the cast and computer technology, technicians in an orthotic laboratory design a device that balances out deformities and corrects misalignments.
The finished orthotic is placed in the patient’s shoe to support the foot and eliminate abnormal foot biomechanics by keeping the foot properly aligned. Depending on the patient’s needs, the orthotic may have padding to cushion the foot and make it more comfortable.
Quite simply, orthotics are an entire body postural adjustment.
