Custom foot braces, called orthoses or orthotics, are braces that are designed to eliminate, prevent or correct abnormal motion at the foot, ankle or lower leg. Generally, custom foot braces are molded by a professional orthodist to provide a brace that works to correct a specific problem. Custom foot braces tend to cost more money than similar, off-the-shelf models, but will produce better outcomes and last longer.
Types
Custom foot braces can be designed and molded out of a variety of materials. Initially, a set of measurements, and possibly a cast, is taken of your foot or ankle. These measurements are then used to create a custom brace that fits your foot exactly and prevents, or in some cases, facilitates certain movements. These braces may be constructed of hard plastic or silicone. Hard plastic orthoses are common, and can be worn as an insert with most shoes.
Uses
All braces are designed to prevent unwanted movement, or to help produce certain movements. Braces can make subtle changes to joint movement that affect the entire gait cycle. The most common condition that facilitates the need for custom bracing is foot-drop resulting from a stroke. Custom ankle-foot orthoses, or AFOs, help to prevent gait deviations after a stroke. Other common conditions that may be managed with custom foot bracing include plantar fasciitis, overpronation, bunions and foot pain.
Benefits
Custom foot braces produce a wide range of benefits for the user if the proper brace is selected. Preventing and correcting gait deviations is the main benefit of most custom foot braces. Correcting gait deviations is important, as altered walking patterns may produce pain and dysfunction at other joints in the body. In addition, custom foot braces can help to relieve pain at the foot itself. Relieving pain helps to restore the proper function of the foot.
Features
Because custom foot braces are fabricated specifically for an individual, a variety of features may be built into the design. Extra padding may be added to provide extra pain relief to sensitive areas. Hinges may be added over the ankle joint of an AFO to provide for articulation, or bending, at the ankle. A cut-out in the hard plastic of a custom foot brace may accommodate bony areas of the foot.
Cost
Custom foot braces are generally expensive to fabricate compared to off-the-shelf models. However, if the brace is used to correct a medical condition, such as foot drop, an outside payer, such as private insurance, Medicare or Medicaid, may cover all or a portion of the costs. Your physician or health-care professional will be able to tell you if your custom brace will be covered by an outside source.
