How to get happy feet: Certified Pedorthist

What does a pedorthist do?

A pedorthist will use their assessment of your lower limb anatomy and function to design, fit and modify your custom-made orthotics or orthopaedic footwear. Corrective footwear is combined with other education and services, as part of an overall pedorthic treatment plan designed specifically for your needs.

Pedorthists can help you get and keep proper foot health, so you can stop sitting on the sidelines and start living the kind of active lifestyle you want.

Conditions treated

Certified Pedorthists can help with a wide range of foot and lower limb injuries and conditions, including:

• Foot pain (i.e. heel, arch or forefoot pain)
• Plantar fasciitis
• Metatarsalgia
• Calluses and corns
• Shin splints
• Bunions and bunionettes
• Knee, hip and back pain
• Arthritis
• Diabetes
• Claw toes or hammer toes
• Sports injuries
• Limb length discrepancies
• Balance issues
• Circulatory problems
• Over pronation or under pronation

Pedorthist vs. Podiatrist

Many people hear the terms pedorthist and podiatrist and are confused about who does what. Both podiatrists and pedorthists are highly trained healthcare professionals with education and experience treating feet. However, their education and the tasks they perform are different.

Podiatrists have an undergraduate degree, such as a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BSc), as well as a Doctor of Podiatry Medicine degree (DPM). And what does a podiatrist do? They diagnose and treat foot problems, often prescribing custom orthotics as a part of treatment.

On the other hand, Certified Pedorthists have university degrees in the field of health sciences (i.e. kinesiology), as well as post-graduate training and clinic experience (often an apprenticeship) in biomechanics, anatomy, pathomechanics of the lower limb, foot orthotic fabrication and modification, footwear fitting and modification, and pedorthic practice management, which can take one to three years to complete. Once this training is complete, they take an exam to get certified.

While your podiatrist may prescribe orthotics, your pedorthist will make and fit the orthotic.

The first visit: What to expect

For your first appointment with a pedorthist, it’s a good idea to wear loose clothing or shorts, to make it easier to examine your feet and lower limbs. You should also wear or bring the footwear you use most often (at work and home). If you have a prescription from your doctor for orthotics, bring that along as well.

Your appointment will start with a thorough examination. Your pedorthist will ask about the location and type of pain (dull, shooting, etc.), in addition to questions about your past and current health, so they get the full story.

Once the what and why of your pain story has been explored, your pedorthist will conduct a series of tests that examine the range of motion in your feet and ankles, the strength in your surrounding muscles, and the alignment of your knees and lower back. They’ll also look at what type of foot you have—normal, flat or high arched—and if there are any boney prominences, edema or discolouration.

Finally, they will perform a gait analysis, asking you to walk or run while they observe the alignment, movement patterns and symmetry of your lower limbs. They may also use tools such as a computerized gait analysis, video analysis and biomechanical foot assessment.

Your pedorthist will then use this analysis to create a customized treatment plan, which may include a combination of their services, including fitting you for orthopaedic footwear or custom orthotics.

If they determine you could benefit from orthotics, they will use plaster, foam, wax or a 3D-laser scanner to get a full impression of your feet, which will be used to make the orthotics. After both feet have been casted, they will book you a second appointment to pick up your orthotics and make any modifications you may need.