Footwear Modifications
Footwear has come a long way in terms of offering orthopedic features without affecting style, however sometimes the shoe may need modification to produce better results. The types of footwear modifications a Canadian Certified Pedorthist can complete range from the simple to complex and include:
Stretching: to improve the fit of a shoe.
Removing seams: to relax the materials without affecting the shoe.
Bubble patches: to increase the room in the shoe.
Sole splits: to make the sole of the shoe wider by up to 3/8".
Excavations: to reduce the pressure on sensitive areas.
Reinforcements: to strengthen an area and reduce premature wear.
Flares and buttresses: to strengthen the shoe and stop the foot from distorting the shoe.
Rocker soles: to relieve pain in the ball of the foot, aggressively offload certain areas of the foot or to improve gait for patients by aiding the heel contact or push off phase of gait.
Lifts: to accommodate leg length differences.
These modifications can be made to everyday footwear – as well as athletic footwear. Canadian Certified Pedorthists have the experience and knowledge to modify sports footwear such as hockey, speed or figure skates, and boots for hiking, skiing or snowboarding. Some modifications are not appropriate for all types of footwear and your options should be discussed carefully with a trained Canadian Certified Pedorthist.