Custom Orthotics & Bracing

CUSTOM ORTHOTICS

Custom orthotics are personalized inserts for your footwear, meticulously crafted to address specific musculoskeletal imbalances in your feet. These medical devices are designed to alleviate foot fatigue and discomfort by redistributing pressure and promoting proper bone, arch, and joint alignment. 

At Dynamic Physiotherapy and Chiropractic, we understand the importance of comfortable orthotics, ensuring they are tailored to your body type and usage. Whether you’re dealing with foot pain, muscle imbalances, or conditions like bunions or plantar fasciitis, custom orthotics can offer relief while potentially preventing further dysfunctional changes.

If you are experiencing discomfort or wondering if you should consider custom orthotics or braces, our team in Kanata is here to help and offers a range of health service methods and equipment to address musculoskeletal concerns. With a medical doctor’s prescription, most insurance plans cover the majority of the cost for orthotics, so it’s important to look into your specific coverage plans when seeking treatment.

Dr. Sarah Cohen

Chiropractor/Owner

Dr. Erica Gifford

Chiropractor

WHAT ARE CUSTOM ORTHOTICS?

Custom orthotics resemble the insoles or pre-made foot orthotics sold in stores, offering relief from foot fatigue and discomfort. These medical devices are crafted to address specific musculoskeletal imbalances in your feet, featuring a plastic body that redistributes pressure to promote proper bone, arch, and joint alignment. They are insoles for your footwear that are custom moulded to your foot to address your anatomy and needs and can be inserted in all different kinds of shoes – including dress shoes, sport-specific shoes, cleats and skates.

Custom orthotics prove beneficial for various foot conditions, such as muscle imbalances, joint pain, bone spurs and plantar fasciitis. They alleviate foot pain and discomfort while potentially preventing or halting degenerative changes such as bunions or dropped metatarsal bones. 

Though their effects may not be immediate, custom orthotics gradually enhance foot health over time, often reducing pain and dysfunction. Despite initial discomfort, most individuals adapt to their orthotics within a few weeks, experiencing improved comfort and support.

HOW DO CUSTOM ORTHOTICS WORK?

Custom orthotics are essential for supporting our feet, which face daily stress as we move around. Many overlook foot health, enduring unnecessary pain without realizing solutions are available. Issues like improper footwear and lack of arch support can make walking painful. Some individuals naturally struggle with walking on hard surfaces due to conditions like bunions or overpronation. Foot and body pain can also arise from prolonged standing, injuries, or age-related changes. While supportive shoes are important, many store-bought options lack personalized support. Custom orthotics, personalized to your feet, provide comfortable support across different shoe types. 

At Dynamic Physiotherapy and Chiropractic, we offer tailored treatment plans, incorporating natural therapies alongside custom orthotics to enhance comfort and mobility. A thorough assessment along with a gait analysis is provided to meet your individual needs and to ensure a proper orthotic fit.

Common Conditions Treated by Custom Orthotics

Foot Pain: Often a symptom of biomechanical issues, commonly felt in areas like the arch, heel, or toe joints. Conditions such as bunions, achilles pain, metatarsalgia, and plantar fasciitis can cause discomfort and affect daily activities.

Bunions: They are characterized by a painful bump at the base of the big toe and are often worsened by joint displacement and muscle imbalances.

Metatarsalgia: Typically manifesting as pain in the ball of the foot, this condition may result from factors like intense physical activity, inappropriate footwear, or high foot arches.

Plantar Fasciitis: It is caused by tissue inflammation at the bottom of the foot and typically leads to heel or arch pain. Conservative treatments, including footwear modifications, orthotics, and physical therapy, are commonly used to manage these conditions.

Other foot and ankle conditions treated by orthotics can include flat feet, heel pain, heel spur pain, arch pain, sprained ankles, shin splints, ball of foot pain, swollen ankles, achilles tendon pain, hallux valgus, rigid big toe pain, hammertoes, pain on the top of the foot, high foot arches, muscle weakness in the feet or legs, foot drop due to herniated disc or sciatic nerve injury, and muscle pain and cramps in various areas of the leg. Additionally, we provide solutions for uneven leg lengths to promote comfort and mobility for our patients.

Custom orthotics provide personalized support, aiding pain relief and preventing further injury. Additionally, poor foot mechanics can lead to pain in other body areas, such as the legs, knees, hips, back, and neck, emphasizing the importance of promptly addressing foot issues to promote overall well-being.

We also offer compression hosiery to improve blood circulation. These are particularly beneficial for individuals with circulatory issues, such as Chronic Venous Disease or Varicose Veins.

Comprehensive Brace Solutions

Our clinic offers high-quality braces tailored to meet various needs, ensuring optimal support and comfort. Whether you require off-the-shelf solutions or custom braces, we have the perfect options. With a medical doctor’s prescription, most insurance plans cover the majority of the cost for braces, so it’s important to look into your specific coverage plans when seeking treatment. 

Call 613-435-9144 | Email admin@dynamicottawa.ca

Ashley Powers

Physiotherapist/Owner

Dr. Sarah Cohen

Chiropractor/Owner

Amanda Lucky

Physiotherapist

Dr. Erica Gifford

Chiropractor

Élodie Héran

Physiotherapist

Dr. Reena Mistry

Chiropractor

Off-the-Shelf Braces

Our selection of off-the-shelf braces offers immediate relief and essential support for a variety of conditions. These non-custom braces are designed to provide effective support without needing personalization, making them a convenient and accessible option for many individuals. While there are many reasons to use off-the-shelf braces, the most common include;

Sports Injuries: Off-the-shelf braces are ideal for preventing and recovering from sports-related injuries. Whether you’re an athlete or simply enjoy recreational sports, our braces can help:

  • Prevent Injuries: Use braces during activities to protect joints and muscles from potential strain or injury.
  • Aid Recovery: Speed up recovery time by providing stability and support to injured areas, reducing pain and swelling.
  • Enhance Performance: Support weak or previously injured areas to maintain optimal performance levels, allowing you to participate confidently in sports.

Arthritis: For those suffering from arthritis, our off-the-shelf braces can provide significant relief:

  • Pain Alleviation: Reduce the discomfort and pain associated with arthritic joints by providing gentle compression and support.
  • Joint Stability: Improve joint stability and function, making daily activities more manageable.
  • Inflammation Reduction: Help manage and reduce inflammation in affected joints, promoting better mobility and comfort.

Knee Injuries: Our off-the-shelf knee braces are designed to stabilize and support the knee following mild to moderate injuries, such as sprains or strains:

  • Support and Stability: Maintain proper alignment and support for injured knees, preventing further damage.
  • Pain Relief: Alleviate pain through compression and stabilization, allowing you to stay active and recover faster.
  • Versatility: Suitable for various knee issues, including minor ligament injuries, meniscus tears, and general knee instability.

Ankle Injuries: Our range of ankle braces offers essential support for recovering from ankle injuries:

  • Injury Prevention: Protect your ankles during activities to prevent sprains and other common injuries.
  • Enhanced Recovery: Provide support and stability to injured ankles, reducing pain and facilitating faster recovery.
  • Daily Use: Ideal for everyday activities and sports, ensuring your ankles remain supported throughout the day.

Benefits of Off-the-Shelf Braces

Choosing off-the-shelf braces offers numerous advantages, making them an excellent option for many individuals seeking immediate relief and support. Here are the key benefits of our off-the-shelf braces:

  1. Convenience: Ready-to-use braces that provide immediate support without waiting for customization.
  2. Affordability: Generally more cost-effective compared to custom braces, making them accessible to a wider audience.
  3. Versatility: Suitable for a wide range of conditions and activities, offering flexibility and adaptability.
  4. Ease of Use: Simple to apply and adjust, ensuring a comfortable and secure fit for various body types.

Custom Knee Braces

Our custom knee braces provide tailored support and exceptional comfort. They are specifically designed, mostly for individuals with severe knee conditions, for both post and pre-operative use. By offering a precise fit and targeted support, these braces help manage pain, improve stability, and promote faster recovery.

Conditions We Address

Our wide range of custom knee braces are ideal for a variety of severe knee conditions, particularly for those requiring specialized support before or after surgery. We provide braces for:

  • ACL Tears: Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) tears are common among athletes and active individuals. Our custom braces stabilize the knee, preventing further injury and aiding in both operative and non-operative recovery.
  • MCL Tears: Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) tears require targeted support to ensure proper healing. Our braces provide the necessary stability and compression to support recovery.
  • Other Ligament Tears: We offer support for various other ligament injuries, ensuring that each patient receives the specific care needed for their unique condition.
  • Osteoarthritis (OA): Our custom knee braces help manage the symptoms of osteoarthritis by reducing pain, improving joint function, and enhancing mobility.

Donjoy Custom Braces

We proudly offer a range of Donjoy custom knee braces, renowned for their high quality and effectiveness. Our selection includes many braces that offer the highest strength-to-weight ratio on the market, giving you the confidence and freedom to move.

Many unique knee braces support patients with ligament, meniscus, cartilage injuries or surgeries, and osteoarthritis. They also come with a low-profile brace option, which offers excellent support without compromising comfort. This brace features advanced materials and a sleek, lightweight frame. Its minimalist design allows for maximum mobility and can be worn discreetly under clothing. 

Specific Donjoy custom braces and products offered at our clinic include:

  • Defiance® Classic
  • Defiance® PRO
  • A22® CUSTOM KNEE BRACE
  • FullForce™
  • Custom Female Fource™
  • Armor
  • Armor FourcePoint™
  • Armor MX
  • Playmaker™ II X-ROM®
  • Legend™
  • Sports Hinged Knee
  • Drytex Wraparound Playmaker
  • SE 4 Point
  • Fource Point
  • Playmaker
  • 4-Titude®
  • ACL Everyday
  • Drytex Hinged Knee
  • Drytex Economy Hinged Knee
  • Playmaker II™, Spacer, Sleeve
  • CCMI MARK III – Measuring Device
  • Playmaker Wrap II
  • Deluxe Hinged Knee
  • PlayXpert Wrap & Sleeve
  • Support Everest™
  • Playmaker II™
  • Renegade™
  • DonJoy OA GO®
  • ROAM™ OA
  • Adjustable OA Defiance III
  • OA Defiance®
  • OA Adjuster™ 3 – Flexion/Extension Stop Kit
  • Cotton Lycra Suspension Sleeve
  • Flexion/Extension Stop Kit
  • OA Adjuster™ 3 – Cotton Lycra Suspension Sleeve
  • OA FullForce
  • OA Adjuster
  • OA Assist
  • OA Nano™
  • OA Lite™
  • OA Reaction Web™
  • OA Adjuster™ 3
  • DonJoy Clima-Flex™ OA
  • OA Reaction TriFit™ Web

These custom braces are meticulously designed to fit your exact measurements, ensuring maximum effectiveness and comfort.

Benefits of Custom Knee Braces

Choosing custom knee braces from our clinic offers several distinct advantages:

  1. Precise Fit: Custom braces are tailored to your unique anatomy, providing an exact fit that enhances support and comfort. This precision helps prevent further injury and promotes optimal healing.
  2. Enhanced Comfort: The customized fit ensures the brace conforms to your body, reducing pressure points and discomfort. This makes it easier to wear the brace for extended periods.
  3. Improved Stability: By offering targeted support, custom braces help stabilize the knee joint, reducing the risk of further injury and aiding in the recovery process.
  4. Effective Pain Management: Custom braces help alleviate pain associated with severe knee conditions by providing the necessary support and reducing strain on the affected area.
  5. Durability and Quality: Donjoy custom braces are made from high-quality materials, ensuring long-lasting performance and durability, even during rigorous activities.

It is crucial to ensure proper sizing and fit of all orthotic, bracing, and hosiery products. Consulting with our therapists ensures you receive the appropriate fit tailored to your needs and measurements.

Contact us today to learn more.

FAQs

Who can benefit from a foot orthotic?

Foot orthotics can benefit individuals of all ages, addressing issues ranging from general foot discomfort to more severe conditions like diabetic foot ulcers. A thorough evaluation can determine whether a foot orthotic would be beneficial for addressing specific foot, leg, or back problems in patients.

How long do orthotics last?

The durability of a foot orthotic differs for each individual. Factors such as the materials used in construction, the patient’s foot anatomy, activity levels, age, and overall physical health influence how long the orthotic will last. We generally suggest that orthotic devices be replaced a minimum of every two to five years. It’s important to note that the longevity of a foot orthotic should not solely be based on the wear and tear of its cover material but rather on how effectively it continues to provide support, correction, and pressure redistribution as the foot’s needs evolve. If you notice a recurrence of symptoms, it’s advisable to have your orthotic reassessed to determine whether modifications or a replacement device are necessary.

Are orthotics or braces comfortable?

We prioritize ensuring a comfortable experience. Custom orthotics and braces should be easy to wear and comfortable. While some adjustments may be needed with anything new, don’t hesitate to contact our team if you experience pain or discomfort while wearing them. We believe it’s not serving its purpose effectively if you can’t wear the orthotic or brace comfortably. 

Request an Appointment

Want to schedule an appointment?

Call us at (613) 435-9144 or admin@dynamicottawa.ca