Frequently Asked Questions
...about Canadian Certified Pedorthists
Canadian Certified Pedorthists are health care professionals who are experts in custom foot orthotics and orthopaedic footwear.
A Pedorthist’s approach involves an understanding of lower body movement patterns and how those patterns can be helped through footwear change, custom foot orthotics or other foot appliances.
- Assess foot and lower leg anatomy, muscle and joint function
- Examine gait (how someone walks or runs)
- Fabricate and/or modify custom foot orthotics
- Modify and customize footwear
- Recommend and apply foot and toe splints and other appliances
- Recommend and educate about features and models of footwear
- Provide guidance about activities and exercises that may help in recovery from foot and lower leg injuries
- Measure for and provide medical compression stockings (requires additional training and may not be provided by all pedorthist
Canadian Certified Pedorthists require an undergraduate degree (in kinesiology or health sciences) prior to applying to the Diploma in Pedorthics program at Western Continuing Studies. (https://postdegree.uwo.ca/Programs/peds/index.html) The diploma program involves courses in clinical assessment, pathomechanics, orthotic theory, orthotic fabrication and footwear modification. In addition, pedorthic students must complete 1320 hours of onsite practicum training with an experienced Canadian Certified Pedorthist.
Pedorthists are trained to treat conditions that commonly relate to over-use, sports injuries, structural deformities and systemic diseases.
- Plantar Fasciitis
- Metatarsalgia
- Interdigital Neuroma
- Sesamoiditis
- Sever’s Disease
- Achille’s Tendonitis
- Shin Splints
- Posterior Tibialis Tendonitis / Tendon Rupture/PTTD
- Peroneal Tendonitis
- Patellofemoral pain syndrome
- Iliotibial band friction syndrome
- Bunions / Hallux Valgus
- Hallux Rigidus / Hallux Limitus
- Leg Length Discrepancy (Congential or Post-operative)
- Diabetic foot
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Osteoarthritis of Ankle / Knee / Foot
- Charcot Marie Tooth Disease
...about an assessment at Pedorthics London
Pedorthic assessment takes approximately 45 minutes and involves taking a patient history to:
- review how and where the foot or leg symptoms began,
- review of current footwear,
- understand the patient’s activity goals.
Examination of:
- foot and lower leg mobility and strength,
- gait (walking) patterns
Appropriate intervention is then discussed (see What to expect)
Please bring your typical everyday footwear and activity footwear for review. Ideally, bring shorts or pants that can be rolled above the knee. If you have a referral note from your doctor or practitioner, please bring it along so we will scan it to your file.
At completion of an assessment, we will discuss recommended intervention options which may include:
- custom foot orthotics,
- off-the-shelf appliances,
- footwear modification,
- footwear recommendations.
- activity advice and basic foot exercises
Should custom orthotics be required, a 3-dimensional cast of the your foot is taken.
In some cases, we may feel treatment by a different practitioner would better meet your needs. With your consent, we can collaborate with other practitioners (physiotherapists, massage therapists, chiropractors etc)
A prescription or referral is not required to complete a pedorthic assessment. Most often, you will require a written referral from your medical doctor to submit to your insurance provider for reimbursement for custom orthotics.
The most common source for an orthotics prescription is from your doctor. Pedorthics London provides your custom orthotics but cannot prescribe them for you.
Yes. We need to have enough time set aside to review your history, assess your feet and gait and address your concerns. Please call 519 601-7761 (Pro Function).
Or try our online booking as a convenient option.
...about Custom Orthotics
A custom foot orthotic is a device that can be inserted into a shoe to support the foot, reduce pain and help to prevent or accommodate a foot abnormality. Foot orthotics can help improve function of the foot and lower leg.
A custom foot orthotic is casted and designed to fit the contour of YOUR foot shape. A 3-dimensional cast is required to fabricate a custom orthotic. Materials and design are chosen by a foot care professional to best meet the needs of your foot and condition.
An Off-the-Shelf orthotic is a pre-fabricated, mass produced insole that is based on an average foot shape. Off-the-Shelf orthotics can often be a good solution to some foot pain problems.
...about Footwear Modification
Footwear modifications are custom alterations to stock (available at stores) footwear. Examples of modifications are lifts, rocker soles, sole widening, wedging and buttressing. Often the sole of a shoe will need to be cut and then supportive material is added. A skilled pedorthist will try to blend the modification into the colour and material of the shoe so that it is not an obvious change.
Footwear modifications are used used for individuals with structural changes such as leg length differences, changes resulting from surgery, congenital abnormalities, amputations etc. A footwear modification is often a more affordable option to custom made shoes.
...about payment and insurance
Pedorthic assessment and treatment is not covered by the provincial health care plan in Ontario. Most extended health care plans have provision for custom orthotics, but each plan is different based on the company and the employer. It is your responsibility to determine what coverage you have and any specific requirements of your plan.
In most cases you will be required to pay for Pedorthic treatment services. We do charge an assessment fee reflective of our time.
A deposit is required when ordering custom orthotics. Balance is due at time of dispensing. We accept Visa, Mastercard, debit, cash, cheque.
If you have health benefit coverage you will need to submit receipt of payment along with your medical prescription to your insurance provider. Some insurances companies require additional information from us which we are accustomed to completing and will provide to you at time of payment.
Canadian Certified Pedorthists are providers (suppliers) of custom foot orthotics but they do not prescribe/diagnose.
We will ensure you receive a written biomechanical assessment and manufacturer invoice, including casting method and raw materials used in the custom orthotic design.
There is an assessment fee associated with our services that is separate from the cost of the custom orthotic itself. The fee for orthotic fitting/dispensing and initial follow up is included as part of the custom orthotic cost.
There is a fee for follow up and/or orthotic modifications after 1 year but before the 1 year mark, there is no additional cost for modifications and follow ups.