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Orthotics are inserts that go in your shoe too control the way your feet move. For example, you may have beenn diagnosed with a problem of overpronation; orthotic will be made to control the movement.
Overpronation is a finding, not a diagnosis .It is important to bear in mind that many people overpronate but do not get symptoms. Also that an overpronating foot may not be overpronating because of a problem with the foot itself! For example, internal rotation (turning in) of the hip (due possibly to weak gluteal muscles or tight internal rotator)can lead to pronation., as can “knock knees”. You can feel this for yourself – if you clench your buttock muscles (the glutei) you will feel your hips rotate outward slightly and the insides of your soles rising.
In some patients, an orthotic may be at best a partial solution - a full musculo-skeletal examination often reveals a more complex picture than just overpronation – this can only be determined by looking at the whole patient, not just their feet or legs. – and need wider attention than just prescribing an orthotic. As always, the individual patient has to be examined and care based on a total assessment.
Proper orthotics have to be custom made, usually by making a mould of the foot that is then sent to the manufacturer. Off the shelf "orthotics" can never work, as orthotics must be "tailored made" for the individual. Even on the same patient the orthotic for the left and right foot will be different!
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