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Custom Orthotics

"Very painful plantar fasciitis"

Dealing with very painful plantar fasciitis I was referred to Brandon (Chiropodist) who was very understanding of my situation and set me on the road to recovery. Brandon also referred me to a physiotherapist, Martin, for shockwave treatments and exercises. All of these worked and I have been able to resume my walking with very little pain in my foot.

- Patricia L.

So, you have foot pain, and you are looking for a solution. Now what?

The first step to fixing your foot pain for good is to get a thorough assessment.  At PhysioPlus, we have an outstanding Chiropodist who will use his vast knowledge along with cutting-edge technology to gain an understanding of your issue and provide you with the best solution possible to relieve your pain.

MEET OUR FOOT SPECIALIST

Brandon Maggen

Registered Chiropodist

Components of an Assessment: 

Medical History

Your assessment will start with a detailed discussion of your medical history! This will include questions not only about only foot pain, but other injuries as well! After all, the whole body is so interconnected!! We will also ask you about any family history of foot pain and your previous experiences with orthotics!

Physical Examination

After taking your history, the specialist will jump into a variety of different tests and positions, including observing you sitting and standing! We will also have you perform specific movements, to look at how you move in different sports and activity-like movements. Next, we will use our hands to passively move your foot, to assess the mobility that is present in each little joint of the foot!

Gait Analysis

Looking at your feet as you stand or sit is only part of the picture. Foot pain is often the result of how we move!

Luckily technology is on our side! By using a special mat, we are able to tell a lot about how you move! We are able to see how you put your body weight through your feet, not only in standing but with walking or running! The findings here not only help explain why you are having foot pain but also how we can fix it!

Custom Orthotic Scan

Our clinic uses cutting-edge technology that takes a 3-D scan of your foot on which to base your orthotic design! 

If the Chiropodist has determined that a custom orthotic would be of benefit to you, he will begin the process of scanning you for your orthotics. The procedure usually takes up to two minutes. All you have to do is lie on the table and relax as we make a quick but precise 3D model with high-resolution textures! This allows us to get quick but precise and comprehensive information about your foot size, how you walk, what pressure point you have, and MORE!

From there, the Chiropodist will place the order for your custom orthotics! It is that simple!

Running Shoe Assessment 

Once the Chiropodist has an understanding of what is going on in your feet, treatment starts to focus on how we can support the foot to function not only better but the best it possibly can! This support may come from exercises designed to strengthen the muscles in your feet and legs to help support the function of your feet!

Another way that you can support proper foot function is through the appropriate selection of shoes! Bringing your old running shoes in can actually tell the specialist A LOT about how you move through life. Specifically, the wear patterns on your shoes can’t hide the effects of the many kilometers you have put on those shoes!

Luckily, based on the gait analysis the Chiropodist is able to recommend what shoe is best for your foot type!  Unfortunately, mass-produced shoes are not always specific enough to solve all of your foot problems! Depending on your assessment, you may require something more specific and custom-tailored to your foot pain needs! And this is where custom Orthotics come in!

YOUR SECRET WEAPON – OUR FOOT PAIN SPECIALIST!

Brandon Maggen
Registered Chiropodist

Brandon Maggen completed his podiatric medicine training at the University of Johannesburg. He then set up and managed Podiatry programs for six specialty hospitals including orthopedic rehabilitation, leprosy, psychiatric, and TB. 

From there, Brandon started private clinical practice for over 20 years, helping people in the community manage their foot pain. During that time clinical areas of focus developed which led to further training and education in diabetes medicine, completing a MSc from the University of South Wales, UK, and then a PhD in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 

Brandon is passionate about the value of running and walking assessments as well as sport and activity-specific assessments. He loves to provide advice on shoe selection and the potential use of orthotics to help decrease foot pain! 

Brandon has completed 6 Ironman’s, Back-to-back Comrades Marathons (90kms), 6 Ultra-Marathons, 4 X-Terra Triathlons, 4 Double Century Cycling races, 6 Cape Town Cycling Tours, numerous marathons, half-marathons and other triathlons and trains regularly for upcoming events.

He was also part of the medical team for the Ironman World Championship.

Brandon takes a holistic approach to not only foot and ankle injuries but injuries of the whole body that are linked to poor foot control. Teaching you about the problem, exercise prescription, activity modification, and custom orthotic prescription are many of the tools Brandon uses to help your foot pain today!

Not in pain right now? No problem! As an avid long-distance athlete, Brandon performs risk-of-injury pre-participation assessments for various sports.

COMMON CAUSES OF FOOT PAIN

Problems with your feet can be caused by several conditions directly related to the feet. General ailments and diseases that affect the body as a whole can also lead to foot pain.

Metatarsalgia

This is a painful disorder that affects the joints and bones along with the ball of the foot. This condition is often caused by ill-fitting footwear or restrictive footwear. Orthotics are usually recommended to help reduce pain caused by metatarsalgia.

Plantar Fasciitis

This condition can be caused by obesity, age, and standing for long periods of time on your feet.

It occurs through pain felt in the heel or arch of the foot and along the sole of the foot. This is due to inflammation and tightness in the tissues along the bottom of the feet

Heel Spurs

This is a bony protrusion on the heel that is usually made of some sort of calcium build-up. Many of the same risk factors that cause plantar fasciitis can also cause heel spurs. While the actual spurs are not painful they can poke the tissues in the heel and potentially cause severe pain.

Diabetes

Diabetes can lead to foot problems because of restricted blood flow and nerve damage. When nerves are damaged through diabetes this is referred to as neuropathy, which can be particularly painful to deal with.

When the muscles in the foot no longer function together properly this can cause unequal pressure on the foot.

Arthritis

Arthritis is a common problem that can affect the joints throughout the foot, especially the big toe. Stiffness and swelling in the joints can eventually lead to permanent damage. This can affect the way you stand or walk.

Other Conditions

  • Patellofemoral knee pain
  • Shin splints
  • Achilles tendonitis
  • Bunions
  • Flat feet or overpronation
  • Morton’s Neuroma
  • Heel or arch pain

What do custom orthotics do?

Custom orthotic inserts will improve how your feet and lower legs feel and function.

Your orthotic design will combine custom-built support with specific materials to suit your activities and footwear. 

It will also be customized to suit any type of shoe: casual, dress shoe, running shoe, courts shoe, skates, soccer cleats, boots…and more!

Benefits of Custom Orthotics

  • Minimize foot & ankle pain
  • Correct foot bony alignment
  • Decrease stress on the skin of the foot
  • Relieve knee, hip and back pain
  • Support for the arches of your feet
  • Reduce pain related to standing, walking, running or sports
  • Decrease pressure on the arch and ball of your foot
  • AND MORE!

Types of Custom Orthotics

Functional – These will help your feet to move in a more desirable way or bear weight in a way that will help you move and walk better.

Accommodative –  These are created to help you relieve the stress on joints that is often caused by conditions such as arthritis.

Therapeutic –  If the shape of your feet is irregular, these types of orthotics can assist heel support, forward movement, and general stability.

PHYSIOPLUS CAN HELP YOU WITH FOOT PAIN!

If you are searching fin Bloor West Village and The Kingsway so you can get some foot pain relief, your search can end here. Our Chiropodist, Brandon Maggen, has over 25 years of experience helping people with foot and ankle conditions and injuries.

Contact us for more information on how he can help you by reducing or even eliminating the pain in your feet.

QUESTIONS?

Choosing the right physiotherapist can be a big decision. We’re dedicated to answering any questions you have to help you make the best choice. Contact us today and ask us anything!

(416) 760-8280

GET BACK ON
THE RIGHT FOOT