Orthotics, Insoles

Orthotics is the field concerned with the application and manufacture of orthoses, devices which support or correct human function. more...

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The term is derived from the Greek \"ortho\", to straighten. Sciences such as materials engineering, gait analysis, anatomy and physiology, and psychology contribute to the work done by orthotists, the professionals engaged in the field of orthotics. Individuals who benefit from a complex orthosis may have sustained a physical impairment such as a stroke, spinal cord injury, or a congenital abnormality such as spina bifida or a developmental disability such as cerebral palsy.

Simpler foot orthotics allow the muscles, tendons and bones of the feet and lower legs to function at their highest potential. When appropriately prescribed, orthotics can decrease pain, not only in the foot, but in other parts of the body such as the knee, hip and lower back. They can also increase stability in an unstable joint, prevent a deformed foot from developing additional problems, and improve overall quality of life.

More recently, the term cognitive orthotics has been applied to assistive technology to correct cognitive functions.

Custom/Prefabricated

Some professionals use the adjective orthotic as a noun, usually describing a foot-supporting device or insole. Orthosis (plural: orthoses) is the base word for orthotic and is grammatically more apt to describe the items or devices that provide direct contact with a portion of the external body surface, rendering resistance to unwanted movement. All orthoses are fabricated prior to or concurrent with being delivered or fitted to the person using them, even casts, as they are created on the patient and become effective for use prior to being used by hardening. Some of the devices are made or fabricated with specifications that derive directly from considerations of a single person end user. Other orthoses are made to fit by sizing (e.g. small, medium or large).

Different orthoses exist to directly support the knee, back, hip, and the upper extremity; manufactured by specialized technicians and fitted to the end user, often referred to as a patient, are delivered by orthotists. The orthotist generally works by prescription, as a pharmacist would. In fact, some prefabricated orthoses can be found in a pharmacy. Some prefabricated orthoses, or supports, are soft and can be purchased as a retail item. Care in proper fit of any device that applies force to the body must be taken to ensure good results and to prevent unwanted problems from an orthosis that is too tight or otherwise uncomfortable.

Sophisticated custom orthoses to more rigidly support compromised joints, weak muscles, and other medical conditions are often provided by orthotists. Plastic vs. metal and leather fitting, complex mechanical hinges, and fasteners to keep the orthosis affixed well to the portion of the body that the orthosis supports are a part of the process in delivering orthotic support.

Read more at Wikipedia.org