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The purpose of an orthotic is to improve foot and leg function with intent to heal the problems generated in the structures they affect. The benefit of an orthotic is directly related to its ability to improve foot and leg function.
Qualitatively, both arch supports and orthotics contour the plantar foot, apply support to the arches, and reduce foot pronation.
Quantitatively, the part of orthotic design related to foot function has never been defined and measured. Orthotic therapy has remained more of an art than a science as no one could define or measure the difference between the different devices.
Correction in your reading glasses is measured, and the medication you take is quantified as well (many times in relation to weight of the pill, concentration of the pill itself, concentration of the medication in your blood stream and tissues). This provides both patient and physician with the ability to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment. Orthotic design and subsequent function has never been defined in a way that could be measured or quantified and, therefor, never fully understood.
Without measurement, one doesn’t know if orthotic function is changed a lot or a little. We don’t know if we are controlling foot function as much as we can or if our corrective properties are far from optimal. We can’t even identify the role of other factors, such as shoes, and we don’t know how much of a role the orthotic device is providing. Without measurement of the orthotic angular design, improvement in orthotics from what was presented nearly a hundred years ago to those prescribed by physicians today are limited to sophisticated production techniques and a continuous line of synthetic materials.
In a US patent, Nick Grumbine DPM, a respected colleague, knew that “The level of therapy of a functional orthotic is directly proportional to the angle of control afforded to the supported foot,” and that “such control stems from the effectiveness of the orthotic in holding or supporting the foot and all its components at specific angles.” What Dr. Grumbine did not do was define, measure, or quantify any such angle.
More Science Click here to learn how Theta quantified orthotic design.
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