Contact us by phone/text/fax at 778-928-0182
Contact us by phone/text/fax at 778-928-0182
HOW CAN LISA HELP?
Orthotic Services
Examples of some of the orthoses (braces) Lisa has created are featured below.
Pediatric sized custom-made Ankle Foot Orthoses (AFOs) are handmade leg braces that provide support around the ankle, in addition to having an influence on the knee and bio-mechanics. They are commonly used to treat conditions causing weakness or spasticity around the ankle. They are fabricated in our on-site manufacturing area and may be rigid, articulated, flexible, or dynamic energy storage and return (ESR). Custom characteristics of the braces such as strapping are individually designed to meet the goals of the client.
Adult AFOs are either custom made by hand by Lisa or are custom fit. The type of AFO to be fitted will depend on your prescription and needs .
FOOT ORTHOSES
Whilst there are many assorted styles of Foot Orthoses on the market today Lisa predominately makes the UCBL (University of California-Berkley Lab) corrective style of Foot Orthoses. This style of Foot Orthoses is made of several layers with a base made of high temperature thermoplastic that supports your feet. The UCBL Foot Orthoses have a deep molded heel cup that corrects and holds your heel in a neutral position. UCBL Foot Orthoses also control the inside of your arch and the outside of your forefoot. This style of foot orthoses have a starting cost of $680.00.
There can be a break in period of up to two or three weeks with this style of Foot Orthoses. Do not wear your new corrective UCBL Foot Orthoses full time or go for a long hike after you pick them up.
Start by wearing your new corrective Foot Orthoses for an hour or so (include sitting as well as standing), remove your shoes and socks and check your feet for hotspots and red areas. Make note of these areas if they last for more than 30 minutes. The next day put the Foot Orthoses on for several hours if possible. Remove and make note of hotspots and red areas, (checking if those areas are the same as yesterday. Pain and discomfort that progressively get worse indicate a follow up appointment is needed or that you may not have suitable shoes). The third day see if you can wear them for longer than yesterday and so on. By the end of three weeks you should be wearing your Foot Orthoses full time.
While your body gets used to your corrective foot orthoses you can expect your feet, legs and back to ache and feel fatigued. Pain and discomfort that progressively get worse may indicate you do not have suitable shoes for your UCBL foot orthoses or that an adjustment is necessary.
The most suitable kind of shoes that work with UCBL Foot Orthoses are a deeper, lace-up (or Velcro) style of shoe that has mid-foot and rear-foot stability, a wide straight last and a firm heel counter. If your heel is slipping up and down in your shoe, please ensure your shoe is done up correctly. Your foot, UCBL Foot Orthoses and shoe should work as one unit.
Pediatric – Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH)
What is Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH)?
Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH) means that the hip joint is not well-formed. The hip socket (acetabulum) may be shallow, resulting in looseness or instability of the ball joint of the thigh bone (femoral head) within the hip socket. The degree of looseness or instability varies, from looseness in the socket (subluxation) to complete dislocation.
Treatment with a Pavlik Harness or Hip Abduction Brace (HAB)
A Pavlik Harness is a soft harness used to treat DDH in infants up to 6 months of age. The harness works by holding your baby’s hip joints in the correct position, but still allows their legs to move. Their knees should be flexed above horizontal and should not touch.
A HAB is a rigid brace made of plastic, foam, and Velcro. It is used to treat DDH by holding your baby’s hip joint(s) in the correct position. It keeps your baby’s legs out to sides (in abduction) and allows the knees to bend freely. In this position your baby’s hip socket(s) can be encouraged to develop properly. It is typically used for children ages six months and older.
What to check for?
- Make sure your baby is kicking both legs equally
- Make sure your baby is attempting to straighten their legs at their knees equally
- Make sure your baby’s feet are warm to touch
If your child is wearing a Pavlik Harness or Hip Abduction Brace and you are having a problem out of office hours, during evenings, weekends and holidays please send an email as we do check in regularly.