Sports Medicine Project Foot Orthoses Explained: What Every Health Professional Should Know #120
Aug 18, 2025
Foot orthoses are crucial for effective patient care, moving beyond just basic materials. Their role in treating conditions like Achilles tendinopathy and tibialis posterior pain is highlighted, emphasizing the importance of foot biomechanics. Listeners gain insights into proper assessment and clinical reasoning, helping health professionals make informed decisions. The discussion encourages collaboration among podiatrists, physiotherapists, and other allied health experts, fostering a clearer understanding of orthotic prescriptions.
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Orthoses As Load Modifiers
- Blake frames foot orthoses primarily as load modifiers rather than posture correctors.
- They aim to reduce stress on painful tissues so they can recover and support return to activity.
Subtalar Mechanics Determine Effect
- Blake explains subtalar joint mechanics matter for predicting orthoses effect.
- Influence on different tissues varies by anatomy and where forces transmit through the foot.
Tissue-Specific Influence Varies
- Orthoses have variable impact: small on mid-portion Achilles, larger on tibialis posterior.
- Choice depends on tendon insertion and how much subtalar control alters local strain.