Stepping Out

The objective of presenting pathology-specific orthotics is to describe a systematic and consistent approach to orthotic therapy. However, it is important to always consider the many factors that can influence...

Clinicians who regularly see patients for custom foot orthotics are used to working with a wide variety of physicians’ notes. Sometimes they will be very precise, specifying the material, the...

One of the early pioneers of pathology-specific orthotic design was Paul Scherer, DPM, former chair of the Department of Biomechanics at the California College of Podiatric Medicine. In his book...

Metatarsalgia is a general term used to describe a variety of diagnoses that present as pain in the forefoot. It is considered a symptom and it covers pain occurring at...

Heel pain is one of the most common reasons people seek medical care for the foot and ankle, and in its advanced stages it can be debilitating. It is also...

An aponeurosis by definition is a broad flat sheet of dense fibrous connective tissue. The plantar fascia is an aponeurosis that serves as both a static and dynamic support structure...

Seeing and treating patients every day, O&P clinicians observe the benefits and understand the value of the care they provide. However, anecdotal evidence and success stories, regardless of how obvious...

Injuries, Orthotics, and ShoesA previous article, "The Biomechanics of Running" (The O&P EDGE, March 2017), examined some of the unique aspects of the running cycle. Because running is a popular and widespread...

  Chronic low back pain (LBP) is one of the most common reasons people will see a doctor or miss days at work. According to the World Health Organization, the...

  Orthotics are used to prevent or correct deformities, support and align the body, or improve its function. Functional foot orthotics are in-shoe devices that control, guide, or limit the...