Circle Reading Hospital offers a specialised orthotic service to help assess and effectively treat a wide variety of musculoskeletal, neurological and biomechanical problems.
Our orthotic service may see patients as a direct referral to the service from one of our specialist physiotherapists or orthopaedic surgeons after initial consultation or following a surgical procedure. Our holistic approach to biomechanical problems and our multidisciplinary treatments ensure the most rapid return to activities of daily living and sports can be achieved.
As well as helping with a number of common conditions which present, our specialist orthotic service is also able to provide an opinion on any biomechanical problem you may be experiencing.
The treatment that our service offers depends on the exact presenting problem but may involve adaptations to existing footwear as well as providing footbeds to offset a biomechanical problem. In other cases, devices may be used to help specific muscle groups function more effectively after neurological injury.
While it is normal for certain side to side differences to develop, if individuals begin to move repetitively with inefficient movement patterns away from a normal balance point they may start to develop pain or other symptoms which need to be addressed.
An orthotic is defined as a medical device applied to an external part of the body. These devices can be used to re-balance an individual’s biomechanics to enable more efficient movements to occur and to offload painful joints or soft tissue.
Some common biomechanical problems that orthotics can help with include:
Biomechanical problems may also be linked with specific musculoskeletal or neurological conditions which may include:
Within Circle Health, our orthopaedic surgeons, rheumatologists, neurologists and physiotherapists work very closely with our orthotist to provide the very best holistic care package for our patients.
Initial consultation with an expert orthotist
If referred by another healthcare professional, our orthotist will consider the reason for referral to guide the initial consultation.
All of our patients will be taken through an in-depth conversation regarding the history of their particular issue. This will include the specific timeline of injury or dysfunction, the mechanism behind any trauma and also which particular movements have been affected.
Our orthotist will also discuss the details of any previous healthcare treatment, including any previous orthotic treatment prescribed and the effects these had on the problem. This information will allow our expert to guide a more appropriate physical examination.
A thorough physical examination will be conducted of the spine and lower limbs. The aim of this physical examination is to build on possible causes and, where applicable, determine which solutions may help the particular movement dysfunction.
Physical examination tests which may be carried out may include:
Gait pattern may also be analysed by pressure plates or cameras to enable visualisation of each stage of the gait cycle.
Treatment tailored just for you
Several forms of orthotics exist, including inner soles that more adequately support the shoe from larger external devices being used to support weakened muscle groups in the event of neurological impairment.
Depending on the possible orthotic solutions identified, it may be that adjustments are needed. Follow-up appointments will be offered as appropriate to optimise the orthotic and to ensure the movement is suitably corrected.
The right treatment for you, always
You will always be given space and time to talk about how your symptoms have affected you.
You will also have the opportunity of talking through your individual goals, both sporting and non-sporting, to help determine the best possible management plan for you.
Our orthotics expert take all of these factors in to account when planning the most effective onward treatment for each patient.
A holistic approach to ensure optimal treatment
We provide a joined-up and communicative service to our patients, and our orthotist has a close working relationship with our orthopaedic and musculoskeletal/neurological physiotherapy departments.
Our holistic approach to treatment ensures all of our departments work towards your treatment goals.
Our orthotic and related services are able to take advantage of the very best in treatment technology.
Our orthotic department can provide bespoke orthotics made to measure each patient’s anatomy perfectly.
If any of our patients require dual treatment, such as a course of neurological or musculoskeletal rehabilitation, Circle Health offers this along with the ability to use our range of technologically-innovative rehabilitation equipment that we have invested in.
Any orthopaedic or soft tissue injections are aided with the latest image-guided scanning equipment.
We provide all of these services in a modern, clean facility which you are able to feel comfortable in throughout your treatment.
