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Ankle Sprains – To Brace or Not to Brace?

Ankle sprains can happen quickly but can take time to recover from depending on the severity. Lateral ankle sprains are the most common types of sprains and account for about 75% of all sprains to the ankle. The ankle joint is held together by many supporting ligaments. Some are more prone to injury than others. Three most commonly sprained ligaments in the ankle Anterior Talofibular Ligament (ATFL)  is the most commonly injured. It is located on the lateral aspect (outside) of the ankle and is the only ligamentous structure in front of the ankle. Calcaneofibular Ligament is the second most commonly…

What’s the deal with Bunions?

When most of us think about bunions we tend to think of that relative that had them from wearing high heeled shoes when they were younger. But did you know that footwear is only one factor that plays a role in the development? Why Me? Bunions are one of the most common foot deformities seen and have many different contributing factors. Let’s take a closer look. Bunions are deformities of the great toe. Many of us know the deformity by its classic tell tale sign of a bump on the side of the toe. A family history of bunion deformity…

The Pedorthist Difference

So.. “What is a Pedorthist?” is one of the more commonly asked questions I get in my day to day practice. The world of foot health professionals can be confusing to navigate having many designations with overlapping scopes of practice. Why choose a pedorthist for your orthotics? Many practitioners are qualified to assess for custom orthotics. What sets a Canadian Certified Pedorthist apart is that you can ensure that you are being seen by a professional that has extensive training in the manufacturing process of custom made orthotics. With a comprehensive knowledge of materials and construction, a certified pedorthist is…

In-Toeing In Children – What You Need To Know

Child development can be overwhelming as it is natural as a parent to want to make sure you are doing all things with-in your power to give your child the best chance for developmental success. We often see parents in our practice who are concerned about their childs in-toeing gait pattern, sometimes referred to as “pidgeon toed”. This article should hopefully give you an insight in to where that in-toeing may be stemming from and when it requires ringing an alarm bell. What is In-Toeing? Simply put, in-toeing is when a child’s feet turn inwards across the midline when walking….

Compression Socks For Runners

Let’s talk about compression socks for runners. If you’re a runner you will have noticed by now that compression socks have infiltrated the running world. But the question remains, are they really all they are hyped up to be? So what exactly are compression socks and how do they work? Compression socks are exactly as the name entails, they are socks that compress the leg.  The important thing to note though is that proper compression socks have a gradient compression meaning they are tighter at the ankle and get gradually less compressive higher up.   They essentially work to combat gravity…

Orthotics And Your Golf Game!

Can Orthotics Improve your golf game? I’m not here to tell you that an orthotic is going to correct your slice, or give you an extra 30 yrds of carry.  (If that were the case I’d be over at Augusta right now ensuring Tiger, Rory and Rickies orthotics were in top form the next 4 days.) What I will tell you though – is that maintaining proper foot mechanics and controlling fatigue with an orthotic can help you feel more comfortable, stable and reduce the risk of injury. You’ll be able to spend more time on the golf course and…

Braces for Ankle Joint Arthritis

The Gauntlet brace is our secret weapon! The brace is made from a cast of the foot and ankle. It is made of rigid thermoplastic, lined with a cushioning material and enclosed in a leather lace up wrap. It fits well in lace up walking shoes and is a great tool for any sufferer of arthritic joint pain to have in their arsenal. This custom brace is covered by most health insurance providers. It is not a very well known device and therefore it is unfortunately very under prescribed. I have seen countless cases of success in alleviating pain associated…