There are many different options and your orthotist will discuss the appropriate devices with you. Their main aim is to allow you to be more mobile and independent by making them as comfortable and functional as possible. They can:

assist with joint motion – if you have muscle weakness
resist joint motion – if joint movement causes you pain or instability
relieve weight – to reduce pain in weight bearing areas of your body
prevent deformities – by controlling your joints and relieving pain or discomfort, deformities from progressive conditions can be prevented or limited.
improve body mechanics - orthoses can offer improved biomechanics when you stand, walk or take part in sport.

An orthotist will initially perform a full clinical assessment. This usually involves a static and dynamic biomechanical assessment. They will then discuss appropriate and individualised orthoses for your treatment.

A static assessment is when you’re not moving and can be either weight bearing or non-weight bearing. Your consultant will see any unusual joint positions and check for muscle strength.

A dynamic assessment is a weight bearing assessment of your body whilst moving so that your consultant can see if there are any unusual joint positions or movements whilst moving.

Ankle foot orthoses (AFO)

There are many types of AFO such as rigid, hinged, dynamic, prefabricated and silicon. The decision will be based on the function you require of the device, your level of mobility and your health. AFOs aim to improve your mobility, support rehabilitation and your biomechanical goals. They are often used for conditions such as foot drop or reduced ankle stability.

Foot orthoses (FO)

Foot orthoses are devices that are worn in your shoes to change the way your foot works whilst walking and to provide cushioning or support. They can reduce pain, prevent or halt the development of a foot deformity, improve positioning, relieve pressure on a certain area of your foot and improve the biomechanical function of your foot, reduce lower limb and knee stress and improve pelvic alignment.

They are used for posture related pains, such as forefoot pain (metatarsalgia), heel pain (plantar fasciitis), heel spur, ankle pain (tibialis dysfunction, lateral impingement syndrome), knee pain (patellofemoral pain syndrome, patella tibial syndrome), shin pain (compartmental syndrome, shin splints), and hip and back pain.

Shoe inserts and insoles can be made of various materials and are selected on your weight, the reason for the inserts, and the type of footwear that the inserts are to be used with. You may be recommended shoe adaptations such as compensatory raises, rocker soles, wedges or flares.

Ankle foot orthoses (AFOs)

Ankle foot orthoses are designed to make standing and walking easier. They can control your foot and ankle position, accommodate a fixed joint position, compensate for muscle weakness, and reduce pain. AFOs are designed to be worn with footwear.

Knee ankle foot orthosis (KAFO))

These orthoses are used to compensate for muscle weakness, paralysis or skeletal problems which cause lower limb instability. They make standing and walking easier by: controlling knee and ankle joint instability, preventing excessive joint movement, improving your joint alignment and reducing pain. KAFOs can be metal or plastic. They are often used in the treatment of neurological conditions such as cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, spina bifida and traumatic brain injury.

Knee orthoses

Knee orthoses or braces are used for many problems affecting your knee joint such as knee ligament injuries, sports injuries, arthritis and patella dislocations. They help to reduce pain and stabilise your knee so that you can continue with normal everyday life and return to contact sports.

These orthoses are used to control the movement of your knee and ankle. They can be used for joint protection, pain reduction or support after surgery.

Spinal orthoses

Spinal orthoses, also known as back supports or back braces, are used to correct, control, support and immobilise spinal deformities and injuries. They can control joint instability, prevent excessive joint movement, improve joint alignment and reduce joint pain.

These devices are designed for your individual needs and fall into three types: rigid devices with plastic or metal sections or supports, fabric devices and a combination of rigid and fabric sections.

here are many prefabricated and custom-made orthoses. It’s important that they are fitted by a fully qualified orthotist or podiatrist.

These include insoles, foot supports and orthotic boots. They are often bought for mild pain and to help in rehabilitation.

It’s best to have your problem assessed first by a consultant orthotist or podiatrist as custom made orthoses may be a better option for you.

These can specifically suit and fit the shape of your foot. Assessments are carried out to determine the problem and casts can be made for a customised orthotic. Wearing custom made designs may take a little getting used to but they can take away any pain that is being caused by the problem immediately.

The fitting of your orthosis can take up to one or two hours, depending on its complexity. Sometimes, more than one fitting is required to adjust and fine tune your orthoses. Footwear and insoles may need to be worn in gradually.

Rivers Hospital Specialists

Mr Mohamed Ahmed

Mr Mohamed Ahmed specialises in degenerative conditions of the spine, spinal deformity trauma, infections and tumours of the spine.
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Mr Charles H Aldam

Mr Aldam is a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon in Hertfordshire specialising in joint replacements, revision hip and knee surgery, arthroscopy, back problems and sciatica
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Mr Paul Allen

Mr Paul Allen is a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon in Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire who specialises in knee replacements.
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Mr Zaher Dannawi

Mr Zaher Dannawi is a Spinal Surgeon in Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire, specialising in adult and paediatric spinal conditions including disc prolapse, spinal decompression, lumbar fusion, and kyphoplasty for osteoporotic fractures or spinal tumours.
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Mr Rishi Dhir

Mr Rishi Dhir is a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon in Hertfordshire who specialises in shoulder, elbow, hand and wrist surgery
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Mr David George

Mr David George is a Consultant Orthopaedic surgeon with a special interest in hip and knee surgery.
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Mr Aria Ghassemi

Mr Aria Ghassemi is a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon in Essex and Hertfordshire, who specialises in Foot and Ankle Surgery
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Mr Arif Gul

Mr Arif Gul is a Spinal surgeon in Hertfordshire specialising in adult and spinal conditions including degenerative conditions, spinal deformity, trauma, infection and tumours of the spine
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Mr Rashid Khan

Mr Rashid Khan is a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon specialising in hip replacements and all knee disorders including knee replacements, trauma, sports injuries and anterior cruciate ligament ruptures.
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Mr Dennis Kosuge

Mr Kosuge is a Consultant Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgeon in Hertfordshire, with a subspecialist interest in hip and knee surgery.
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Mr Satish Kutty

Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Mr Kutty, specialises in hip and knee disorders including trauma, sports injuries of the hip, hip and knee replacements in young adults.
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Miss Dimitra Leivadiotou

Miss Dimitra Leivadiotou is a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon in Hertfordshire and Essex, specialising in upper limb surgery
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Mr Jeh Mahaluxmivala (Mr Jeh Maha)

Mr Jeh Mahaluxmivala (pronounced ma-ha-lux-mi-vala) known as Mr Jeh, is a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon in Sawbridgeworth with a special interest in knee and hip surgery
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Mr Dimitrios Manoukian

Mr Manoukian is a Consultant Paediatric Orthopaedic Surgeon in Hertfordshire
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Mr Unnikrishnan Ramkumar

Mr Ramkumar is a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon in Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire who specialises in hip and knee procedures in Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire
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Mr Nicholas Saw

Mr Nicholas Saw is a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon in Hertfordshire who specialises in upper limb surgery including all shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand surgery.
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Mr Tarun Taneja

Mr Tarun Taneja is a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon who specialises in knee surgery.
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Mr Alex Watson

Mr Alex Watson is a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon specialising in Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire who specialises in foot and ankle surgery.
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Mr Simon Wimsey

Mr Simon Wimsey is an Orthopaedic Consultant in Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire specialising in all hand, wrist and elbow surgery including carpal tunnel, Dupuytren’s, arthritis and joint replacement surgery, ligament and tendon reconstruction, trauma and sports injuries.
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