What is a custom orthotic?
Orthotics are defined as any device used to support and align a part of the body. A foot orthotic is a device that can be discretely inserted into a shoe to support, align, or accommodate foot deformities or poor foot mechanics. Custom foot orthotics are precision medical devices that are custom-made to correct your specific imbalance and biomechanical misalignment (e.g. high arch or flat feet).
Custom orthotics can be used for the treatment of a variety of lower extremity conditions such as Plantar Fasciitis. They can relieve pain, improve skeletal alignment or improve the function of your foot and lower limbs!
Orthotics can also improve athletic and occupational performance by realigning poor alignment and reducing excess strain on the feet and lower legs. Orthotics can be pre-made (over-the-counter) or custom made from a three-dimensional cast.
Beware of companies that provide only one type of orthotic or customized, non-custom casted orthotics. True prescription custom orthotics are made from precise impressions of your feet.
Kintec is a leader in this field. Working by medical prescription our clinical team of Canadian-Board Certified Pedorthists assess your needs using the latest computerized gait analysis equipment available.
Kintec’s Lab Service Division also manufacturers custom-made premium quality prescription foot orthotics for patients of healthcare professionals across Canada in our lab facility at Surrey, BC.
What is a Pedorthist?
A pedorthist is an individual who is trained in the assessment, design, manufacture, fit and modification of foot appliances (including orthotics) and footwear for the purposes of alleviating painful or debilitating conditions and providing assistance for abnormalities or limited actions of the lower limb.
At Kintec, our pedorthists first possess a Bachelors Degree in Kinesiology or Health Sciences and then go through a 3500-hour intensive in-house residency program or a 12-month university accredited diploma in pedorthics program.
Upon completion, these individuals must then successfully complete examinations by the College of Pedorthics of Canada to become Canadian Certified Pedorthists.
The pedorthist provides orthotics and footwear to assist in:
- Accommodation of foot deformities;
- Re-alignment of anatomical structures;
- Redistribution of external and internal forces;
- Improvement of balance;
- Control of biomechanical function;
- Accommodation of circulatory special requirements; and,
- Enhancement of the actions of limbs compromised as a result of an accident, congenital deformity, neural condition, or disease.
For more information on pedorthists and pedorthics in Canada, visit www.pedorthic.ca.
What is Kintec OA Specialist?
A ‘Kintec OA Specialist’ is a brace fitter or pedorthist who has received specialized and extensive training on knee osteoarthritis (OA) and the available treatments.
This program was developed by our osteoarthritis leadership team consisting of Dr. Michael Ryan, a PhD biomechanist; Peter Morcom, the president of the Pedorthic Association of Canada; and Lauren Calderone, Kintec’s senior bracing expert.
The goal of the program is to improve conservative care treatments and the quality of life for people living with osteoarthritis.
How does a foot orthotic work?
The primary goal of a foot orthotic is to help to reduce unnecessary stresses and strains in the feet, lower limbs and lower back by re-aligning your feet within your footwear or accommodating specific conditions or deformities. Used in conjunction with appropriate footwear, a foot orthotic can be effective in helping to treat a number of foot and lower limb conditions including:
- Plantar fasciitis
- Metatarsalgia
- Bunions
- Achilles tendonopathy
- Shin splints
- Patellofemoral pain syndrome
- Iliotibial pain syndrome
- Low back pain
Custom foot orthotics can also help with pain and complications related to health conditions such as diabetes or arthritis.
Improper foot alignment can lead to a wide variety of foot, knee, and lower back problems. By improving the alignment the body is able to function more efficiently with less stress on the muscles and ligaments that hold you together.
Am I a candidate for orthotics?
If you are experiencing foot or lower limb discomfort, ask your physician if a referral to one of our Canadian Certified Pedorthists would help.
A detailed assessment from an orthotic and footwear fitting expert, such as a Pedorthist, can confirm if orthotics will assist you with a particular foot, lower limb, or even back problem.
If orthotics are deemed beneficial for you, your Pedorthist will use one of a variety of casting techniques to gain three-dimensional images of your feet. Truly-custom orthotics cannot be made without a three-dimensional cast or image. Imprints on digital force mats or ink impressions on paper are not three dimensional images.
After a cast has been taken our in-house technical team begins fabrication of the custom orthotics with close attention and direction from the assessing Pedorthist.
Learn about Kintec’s orthotics process.
We believe in educating you with the knowledge about your injury or condition so that you are better able to help yourself in reducing your risk of injury in the future.
How much do orthotics cost?
Kintec’s custom orthotics cost between $500-$550 plus a $95 assessment fee to acknowledge the professional services our clinical team provide.
Do I need to book an appointment for an estimate on braces?
We recommend contacting your nearest Kintec store location as it depends on what level of bracing you require. If it is off-the-shelf, any of our Fitting Experts can provide a quote to you during a walk-in visit. However, if you will require a custom brace, please call us at 604-200-FEET (3338) to book an appointment with a Brace Fitter.
How does the Orthotic Comfort Guarantee work?
Kintec is 100% committed to your foot health and we want you to feel confident in your decision to proceed with custom foot orthotic therapy. Part of our promise to you is our Comfort Guarantee. While it is impossible to guarantee 100% recovery from an injury or medical condition, we do guarantee that you will feel improved comfort while wearing your orthotics or we will give you your money back.
Refunds will only be given after 10 weeks and before 6 months following the fitting date. No refunds will be provided after 6 months following the fitting date. An initial assessment fee of $95 will be subtracted from all refunds.
All patients must have received a minimum of two adjustments to their orthotics by a certified pedorthist at Kintec, which may include an orthotic remake at the pedorthist’s discretion.
For patients that have submitted their claim to private insurance, the remaining balance of the orthotic price will be refunded. Refunds will not be given to approved claims where Kintec was paid directly by a 3rd party.
Compliance to all pedorthist treatment recommendations must be charted by the pedorthist at the fitting appointment and all follow-up and adjustment appointments. Pedorthist treatment recommendations may include, but not limited to, a change in footwear, stretching exercises, icing, massage, physiotherapy and chiropractic treatment.
This guarantee is subject to change at any time.
