Many do not know what the orthotic profession entails. Orthotics is a branch of medicine having to do with the anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology, engineering, and biomechanics of this medical specialty. An orthotic is a device that doctors prescribe to change the structure and function of either the skeletal or neuromuscular structure. An orthotic device is used to limit or mobilize a bone or joint, help to guide, control, or restrict movement of the bone or joint in a different direction. Orthotics help to reduce the natural weight put onto a particular area of the body. When you wear your orthotics continuingly, the orthotics cause a rehabilitation of that area of the body. Doctors may prescribe an orthotic after removal of a cast and when the bone completely heals. Orthotics, in this case, helps to reduce pain and correct the shape of the body thus allowing more comfortable movement and flexibility of the extremity.
Orthotics Benefit Many Chronic and Temporary Conditions
The word orthotics brings to the mind of many people, inserts that go into the shoe which have specific supports with a full arch. These orthotics help to redistribute your weight when walking, standing, or running. However, orthotics go much deeper than these over-the-counter shoe inserts. Your doctor may order from Orthotics Specialists Bradenton Fl the use of an orthotic such as after a broken bone heals, after a surgical procedure of a bone, joint, or muscle, spina bifida, a spinal cord injury, a stroke, cerebral palsy, and as a prophylactic use to heighten performance. An orthotic insert in your shoes helps change weight distribution on your foot, taking pressure off your ankle or knee. An orthotic is helpful for the upper limbs, lower limbs, feet, ankles, knees, and spine. Doctors use orthotics to aid in the healing of ulcers. The parts of the body most susceptible to orthotic use are upper limb, neck, clavicle, shoulders, arms, elbows forearms, wrists, fingers, hands, feet, and ankles.
The Process of Making Orthotic
The orthotic specialist may a take plaster of Paris mold casting of an extremity such as your foot to see what areas of your foot your weight more evenly distributes. This plaster cast helps the manufacturer to redistribute your weight by adjusting the flexibility of the orthotic in your shoes. Specialist used to take measurements of the affected area, but with the advent of plaster of Paris, this gives a better picture of the shape of the foot and what kind of orthotic the manufacturer needs to make.
Various materials go into the making of all types of orthotics such as thermoplastics, metals, elastic, carbon fiber, EVA, durable fiber, or a combination of any of these materials. While some orthotics and purchased over-the-counter other orthotics must be custom made according to prescription. Orthotics are held securely and tightly in place by the use of straps, ties, velcro fasteners or a combination of these.