WHAT A PEDORTHIST DOES
A Pedorthist is a trained professional in the assessment, design, manufacture, fit, and adjustment of footwear and foot appliances, so that pain or life changing conditions can be alleviated of the lower limb. A pedorthist is certified to provide custom orthotic devices, orthopaedic & custom made footwear, as well as modifications to existing footwear.
What Will a Pedorthist do for a Patient?
- Cast, manufacture, fit, and adjust custom orthoses to correct or accommodate a foot conditon
- Cast and measure for custom footwear
- Provide assessment through observation of the limbs and palpation of the limbs, gait analysis
- Footwear analysis, gait analysis, range of motion testing, and review any complicated health factors
- Fit and modify footwear for all foot types
Qualifications of a Pedorthist
- A pedorthist requires a post-graduate diploma to attain certification. Canadian Pedorthic Certification is acquired after successfully completing up to a 3 year apprenticeship and examination process. Pedorthists must be knowledgeable on biomechanics, anatomy, disease, orthoses fabrications, footwear fitting, modification, design, and function.
- Pedorthists are one of four approved professionals to provide custom made orthotics and they are governed by a strict code of ethics
- Continuing education is mandatory as prescribed by the College of Pedorthics of Canada
- A certified pedorthist is trained to use a range of casting and fabrication techniques to manufacture soft, semi-rigid and rigid orthoses to treat a variety of foot and lower limb conditions.
Service Distinguishers
- With the onsite labs, the pedorthist can manufacture, dispense, and adjust custom orthotics in a very short time
- Pedorthists are one of four approved professionals to provide custom made orthotics and they are governed by a strict code of ethics
- With the on-site lab, the pedorthist can modify off the shelf footwear to fit comfortably
- The pedorthist is a Canadian Certified Pedorthist
- A full biomedical assessment including gait analysis takes about 30 minutes to complete. The patient’s style of living, activities, relevant medical history are assessed as well
- The pedorthist fits the orthoses to the patient’s footwear
- Patient compliance is improved by providing in-depth education during the evaluation and follow-up appointments