NORMAL FOOT BIOMECHANICS


Feet on the Move

Your heel swings from side to side as your foot moves. When the heel swings correctly, your foot can flatten and regain its arch as you walk. But if your heel swings too much your foot may flatten more than it should. Over time, such excess movement may cause foot problems.
When the heel hits the ground its outer edge touches first. Soft tissues (muscles, tendons, and ligaments) relax. Your foot then able to flatten and adapt to uneven surfaces, and absorb the shock of touchdown.
During midstance your heel is below the anklebone and the front and back of your foot are aligned. Your foot easily bears your weight.
As the heel lifts, it swings slightly to the inside. Muscles, tendons, and ligaments tighten. Your foot regains its arch, wich allows your foot to lift off the ground.

Too Much Movement Causes Strain

When your foot flattens too much (overpronation) some bones are forced to support too much weight. The muscles pull harder on these areas making it more difficult for tendons and ligaments to hold bones and joints in place. Over time, you may develop swelling or pain at the bottom of your foot or near the heel, or form a bony bump (bunion) at your toe joint.
When your foot flattens too much, the ankle and heel do not align during midstance. The foot strains under your body's weight.

 

BIOMECHANICAL ORTHOTIC DEVICES

The customized impressions (molds) which we make of your feet are taken in a specific position which capture the angular relationships between the various segments of each foot. This enables us to "capture" your best functioning position. The bodies of your orthotic devices are then contoured and angled over these impressions.
Consequently, instead of supporting your arches, biomechanical orthotic devices create a more normal function of the feet and legs by maintaining the anatomical angular relationships between the segments of the foot.
Custom-fitted orthotics optimize biomechanical function and maximize the shock-absorbing capacity of the foot. The end result is a decrease or elimination of foot symptoms and, very often, a decrease of leg and low back fatigue.

Biomechanical orthotic devices may be made from various materials. The choice of material used in the construction of the orthotics is an individualized one which is dependent on the degree of control required, the physical status of the user, the user's activities or occupation, and the user's footwear.
Most biomechanical orthotic devices appear narrower than the foot and, when cut for a woman's shoe, may be as much as 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch narrower on both sides.
The heel section usually has a fixed depth and variable with. It should fit easily into the seat of the shoe without binding or spreading the heel counter.

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