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Orthotics
Our therapists have over ten years of experience, knowledge and extensive training in designing an orthotic that can help even the most severe foot mechanical problems due to injury, abnormality or pathological situations. We fabricate the orthotics for the Milwaukee Bucks. And many of the NBA players who were fitted for orthotics while they played for the Milwaukee Bucks continue to order their orthotics from Keystone because of the success they have had wearing our orthotics.
What is an orthotic?
An orthotic is a supportive device which is placed inside your footwear to assist the mechanical function of your foot. The orthotic is working during all weight-bearing activities such as walking, running, and standing.
Should orthotics be rigid?
Orthotics should NOT be rigid, but should be shock absorbing and supportive. One of the main functions of the foot is to absorb shock which it cannot do with a rigid orthotic.
Why do I need orthotics?
Each time you take a step, the arch of your foot acts as a shock absorber transmitting your body’s weight evenly throughout your foot. If you jog or run, the pressures on your foot are multiplied up to 4 times your body weight. The foot is designed to unlock when it hits the ground for shock absorption and then relock prior to push off for leverage and propulsion. If this function of unlocking and relocking is not working properly, the entire chain of bones leading to the spine are affected. If you have poor foot function it can cause foot pain but can also result in pain to the knees, hips and back. An orthotic is worn in your footwear to assist the mechanical function of your foot.
Orthotics are just one piece of the puzzle in the road to recovery. Proper shoe wear during the day and proper slippers when at home is a big key in solving one’s foot problems.
How are orthotics customized?
Keystone Physical Therapy offers a custom made orthotic designed specifically for your foot. At your appointment your therapist will perform an initial evaluation to learn about the difficulties you are having with your lower extremity. We will evaluate your gait, flexibility, strength, if indicated perform a running assessment, and if custom orthotics are indicated a foam impression will be taken of your feet. During your appointment we will cover all of these items and a treatment plan will be devised between you and your therapist to address any deficits.
Our therapists consult with the medical staff at the orthotic lab to guarantee that your orthotic is customized to your feet. Keystone has an in-house grinding lab that allows our therapists to “tweak” your orthotics until you are 100% satisfied.
Plantar fasciitis and bone spurs - Reasons for orthotics
Due to gravity, genetics, flexibility and mobility deficits, you may be diagnosed with plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis most commonly occurs because each time you take a step your foot’s arch flattens due to overpronation (flat arch), and does not resupinate (high arch) at push off. This leads to even more stretching of the plantar fascia, causing traction or a pulling force at the calcaneous (heel bone) which can lead to a bone spur. A bone spur is the body’s way of trying to protect itself by laying down more bone because of the pulling force.
Bone spurs and plantar fasciitis can be extremely painful. To alleviate this force, a custom orthotic is designed to bring the ground up to meet the foot and support the foot out of the end range motions which are injurious. There are other factors in plantar fasciitis that your therapist will evaluate such as gastrocnemius and soleus (calf musculature) flexibility and the mobility of the talocrural joint (front joint of the ankle). If we find deceits in either of these areas, an exercise program designed specifically to you will be established, as well as manual therapy will be employed to address these issues.
Orthotic Payment
Your insurance company determines if custom orthotics are a covered benefit of your plan. Keystone Physical Therapy staff will contact the insurance company for coverage benefits. If covered, we will bill your insurance for the evaluation and fitting charges plus the orthotics. Any copays, deductibles and coinsurance are your responsibility. If your insurance policy excludes orthotic coverage, or you are uninsured, we do offer a prompt pay rate that includes the initial evaluation and fitting charge plus the cost of the orthotics. Please call for our current rate.
Medicare Policy
Medicare policy excludes custom orthotics for routine foot disorders. We do offer the same prompt pay rate for the orthotics. Keystone Physical Therapy will bill Medicare Part B for the evaluation and fitting for the orthotics.