What are orthotics?

Orthotics are custom-made orthopaedic devices that fit comfortably inside your shoes. They are made to correct various biomechanical problems in the feet by realigning and stabilising the bones. They allow your feet, legs, hips, pelvis and low back to function more efficiently to reduce strain and pain from many different structures. They restore natural walking and running patterns, and are an extremely important part in the prevention and long-term solution of many problems in the feet, legs and hips.

What is Gaitscan™?

Precision Physio uses Gaitscan™ technology which is a state-of-the-art electronic system that allows your physio to assess your foot mechanics with outstanding accuracy and reliability. It detects abnormal foot function which may be causing various problems throughout your body. The system produces a series of reports which enables your physio to treat you more effectively by seeing how your foot mechanics may be contributing to any problems you may have, and highlights if there is a need for custom orthotics.

Who should have a Gaitscan™?

The Gaitscan™ system helps our physio’s to provide you with the highest quality effective care for many situations such as;

• Feet that are sore on a regular basis eg pain under your heel (plantar fasciitis),
• If you have pain in your knees or Achilles tendon (back of your ankle),
• If you spend a good portion of your day standing or walking on hard surfaces,
• You play sport regularly, especially running sports,
• Standing, walking or running gives you joint pain (ankles, knees or hip),
• You have visible foot problems (bunions, fallen arches, corns, etc),
• One of your legs is shorter than the other,
• You have knock-knees or bow legs,
• Your shoes wear out quickly or unevenly,
• Your feet “toe out” when you walk,
• Your parents had foot related problems.

How your Gaitscan™ assessment works

1. Scanning your Foot
   as you walk across the electronic pressure-sensitive plate thousands of tiny sensors capture the distribution of pressure of your foot over time.
2. Mapping your Foot Pressure
   From your scan, the computer displays 2D and 3D visual representations of the pressure under your foot.
3. Your reports are printed and compared
   Your scan information is presented in a series of reports that will be compared to an “ideal” foot scan. Your physio will print these out for you to keep, discuss them with you, and interpret deviations from normal movement. The report findings enable your physio to evaluate if the pain you are experiencing is related to faulty foot function, and if so, how best to correct it.
4. Do you need orthotics?
   The information from these reports will allow your physio when determine if you need orthotic therapy, and they will discuss the reasons for this with you.
5. Your scan data is sent directly to the orthotics laboratory
   If it is determined that you will benefit from custom orthotics your information is sent to the lab to have custom made orthotics manufactured specially for your feet. You will have your new orthotics in about 3 weeks from the time your scan data is sent.

If you suffer any foot, knee, hip or back pain then call Precision Physio today and we will make you feel better from the ground up!

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