Orthotics

Functional foot orthoses are insoles that are put inside your shoes to influence and improve the function of your foot. These are not corrective but aim to reduce the stress taken through any painful areas of your foot in order to facilitate more comfortable activity. 

If these are clinically appropriate for you, the Orthotist may provide a modular insole or a more custom device depending on your presentation. 

The NHS eligibility is one functioning pair of insoles, these can be transferred between your shoes. 

If you feel they are no longer providing enough support or feel your foot has changed you may want to speak to the GP about making a new referral to be seen again. 

Adapted footwear is when your own shoe is in need of being adapted. This may be in the form of an external raise or wedge to the sole of the shoe or a socket for a caliper. 

The Orthotist would tell you if this is needed and you may need to drop in a shoe for this to be adjusted. 

On the NHS you are eligible to two footwear adaptions per year, this is from the month of the first adaption. If you require more than this you will need to pay or wait for the year to roll over. 

Please note, the department has the right to refuse a shoe if it is not safe/appropriate to be adapted.

You may be prescribed footwear specific to your needs, which may include accommodating, protecting and/or supporting your feet. This will be a clinical decision by the Orthotist based on your presentation and symptoms. They may also sometimes include supportive insoles.

Once agreed that your first pair of footwear is appropriate and have no issues, a second pair can be provided, as per your NHS entitlement. This is to allow you to wear one pair if the other is being repaired.

For children, the allocation is just one pair and these will be replaced with growth. If you think your child has grown out of their footwear, please contact us for a review.

An AFO is a device which goes around the ankle and is designed to hold the foot and ankle in a more neutral position. This might be to improve your walking, to give you a stable base for standing, or to prevent deformity. These are not permanently corrective but used to better hold the position when worn. 

The footwear that is worn with your AFO is very important. There are a few things that you should consider when deciding on footwear but if you are unsure take the AFO with you to buy a new pair or speak to your Orthotist about this. 

Please check the device and your skin regularly and if there are any red marks, or stress markers on the device, contact the department for a review.

A spinal corset or abdominal support is usually made with fabric materials and prescribed to provide control and support to the spine and pelvis. Sometimes abdominal supports are used to help with postural hypotension. An Orthotist will tell you the aims of the abdominal support/ corset, and if it is clinically appropriate.

If provided, your corset should only be worn when it is needed, for example, when undertaking strenuous activities. Your corset should not be worn all the time, as your body will become reliant on the corset and you may become weaker.

Please be aware of allergies that may occur when your skin comes into contact with the corset. This may be from the metals, rubber, plastic, natural and man-made fibres. Please tell your Orthotist if you have any allergies to any of the above. If you have any problems with your corset, discontinue use and contact the department for a review appointment.

On the NHS, you are eligible to two functional corsets, one to wash and one to wear. 

A spinal brace is designed to help stabilise your spine, restrict movement and hopefully reduce pain in the affected area. There are many different types of spinal braces that can be prescribed by the Orthotist, depending on the level of injury and any other injuries/ spinal shape.

The length of time a spinal brace is required is specific to each patient and condition – your Orthopaedic consultant will discuss this with you.

Your spinal brace should be worn at all times, except when lying completely flat in bed, unless advised otherwise. 

A snug fitting layer, like a cotton t-shirt, should be worn underneath the spinal brace to protect the skin and keep the spinal brace clean.

The spinal brace needs to be fastened up tightly to provide maximum support to your spine and to prevent the brace from rotating or slipping down. If you feel your spinal brace is no longer fitting properly please contact us for a review appointment.

Helmets provide impact protection for the head of the wearer. The reason for impact protection can vary and will have been explained by the orthotist. Helmets need to worn correctly to provide the impact protection they are designed for.

If necessary, you are able to have your helmet repaired. Repair times can vary, roughly 3 to 4 weeks. Please ask for an estimated repair time if necessary.

You are eligible to one helmet. If you require more helmets above your NHS entitlement, you may do so by paying. Please contact the department for a quote and advice.