Congratulations on booking your first biomechanical appointment with your local BioPed Clinic! We understand that you are seeking relief from pain and discomfort caused by your feet or lower limbs, and we are here to help.

To prepare you for your appointment, let us walk you through what you can expect during your visit. We offer different types of appointments, including full assessments and compression fittings, and follow up appointments, but for the purpose here, let’s assume you are booked for a complete biomechanical assessment.

During your 45-minute appointment, a Canadian Certified Pedorthist or Registered Chiropodist* will conduct a comprehensive, hands-on biomechanical assessment focused on your feet and how they move. They will also take into account how the rest of your lower limbs and upper body move through gait, as well as other factors, such as your lifestyle, potential sources of pain, health conditions, medications, previous injuries, footwear, activity level, and workplace environment.

Your BioPed clinician will perform a range of tests, including a(n):

• Walking / gait analysis
• Examination of joints and muscles while seated and standing
  • Muscle strength evaluation
  • Foot, ankle, knee, hip alignment
  • Joint flexibility assessment

In order to determine if and where abnormal function and mechanics exist.

Additionally, your Pedorthist/Chiropodist will ask you further questions where applicable and review your current footwear for fit and function.

After completing the assessment, your BioPed clinician will explain their findings and you’re your input, develop an optimal treatment plan tailored to your specific needs. They will discuss all possible solutions that would be helpful based on your condition, mechanics and symptoms, and recommend the best course of action for your feet and lower limbs. Possible solutions may include orthotics, shoes/shoe modifications, skin or nail care, compression socks or bracing.

At BioPed, we take a unique approach to the assessment, fabrication, fitting, and adjustment of orthotics to ensure that you get the best possible result for your feet and lower limbs. We are committed to providing exceptional care to help you alleviate foot and lower limb pain and get you back to doing more of what you love in life.

*Registered Chiropodists can provide prescriptions for orthotics, orthopedic footwear, compression and foot/ankle bracing. There is a fee for Chiropody Services.

Finding the right footwear for your feet is just as essential as getting the perfect glasses for your eyes from an eye specialist. In fact, our feet are amazing structures that carry us through life and require expert care to function properly. They act as shock absorbers and levers with each step we take, and when our feet are in good health, we hardly ever think about them. However, when problems arise, they can significantly impact our quality of life and bring us to a grinding halt.

We seldom make the connection, but our quality of life is largely dependent on our foot health. Many foot issues can be caused by genetic predispositions or conditions, such as diabetes or arthritis, while others may result from overuse, traumatic injuries, or improper footwear. Fortunately, Canadian Certified Pedorthists are specifically trained to address foot and lower limb biomechanical conditions.

As graduates with an undergraduate degree, typically in kinesiology or science, and a graduate diploma in Pedorthics, be assured that their background and training in biomechanics is thorough. Canadian Certified Pedorthists, C. Ped (C)s, are experts in the design, modification, and manufacture of footwear, custom foot orthotics and supportive devices to address lower limb pain and conditions. They work closely with physicians, nurse practitioners and patients to ensure feet are well cared for. Also, Pedorthists are compression fit certified, lower limb brace experienced, and footwear fit experts. And if no off-the-shelf shoe is working, they can modify footwear to ensure shoes not only fit but also function.

At BioPed Footcare, the mission of our Canadian Certified Pedorthists is to alleviate pain, prevent tissue and joint damage, and restore foot function, allowing clients to lead more fulfilling lives. They do this by conducting a full biomechanical assessment, comprised of assessing symptoms, gait analysis, and medical history to determine the best possible solution for you.

If you are experiencing any foot pain, have limited mobility, or discomfort from a condition, such as bunions or knee arthritis, a visit to a BioPed Pedorthist can provide the relief you need and help you do more of what you love.

Put your feet and lower limbs in good hands with a Canadian Certified Pedorthist at any of BioPed Footcare’s 85+ clinics across Canada! Find a BioPed Footcare clinic near you today by clicking below.

It’s frustrating when we have pain and don’t know what it is or what to do about it. When knee pain strikes, the effects can be debilitating. From missing out on adventures to limiting your time doing what you love, knee pain limits what we can do, and without a diagnosis it can be difficult to navigate treatment without knowing the cause. BioPed Canadian Certified Pedorthists are here to help you treat and manage knee pain, as well as work with you on the path to getting a diagnosis.

Signs and symptoms of knee pain

• Swelling
• Achy joints; a feeling of stiffness
• Sharp pain during a specific movement (usually flexion or extension) of the knee
• Throbbing sensation in the joint
• Feeling of instability during movement
• Limping during gait

The most common causes of knee pain

Arthritis – Though this condition has many forms, arthritis in all of its forms targets the joints. In the knee this is usually caused by the deterioration of the bone, resulting in the grinding of the femur on the tibia, causing increased wear and deterioration of the bones.

Treatment – Knee braces are the recommended course of conservative treatment to help reduce pain and swelling associated with arthritis during your everyday activities. Ranging from compression sleeves to off-the-shelf brace options or custom-made off-loading braces, there is a wide variety of support, stability and compression to treat the severity of the condition.

 

Ligament Laxity, Strains or Tears – The ligaments in the knee hold the bones of the joint together. The ACL, MCL and LCL are the most common ligaments affected. These structures hold the knee joint together and stabilize it as it moves. When they are injured due to wear and tear or trauma, these structures can become stretched or torn, resulting in pain and instability in the joint.

Treatment – Depending on severity and stage of recovery, compression sleeves to custom made knee braces for joint stabilization can be prescribed.

 

Meniscus Injury – The meniscus is a pad that sits between the femur and the tibia for shock absorption during gait so the bones don’t slide and grind against each other. When forces are applied to the knee incorrectly, usually in the case of injury, tears and displacement of the meniscus causes swelling and pain in the knee joint.

Treatment – Physiotherapy and knee bracing, from compression sleeves to off-loading braces, may be recommended depending on severity of displacement or tear.

 

Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome – This is a specific overuse injury to the patellar tendon, with pain occurring just below the knee during movement. Often a patella strap is used to create a new point of pull on the tendon (below the insertion point) to reduce the use of the inflamed portion of the tendon. Strengthening the quadriceps and allowing the joint to rest can help decrease pain.

Treatment – Physiotherapy and patella strap bracing are effective treatments. Compression sleeves may also be helpful to reduce pain.

 

Patella Tracking Deficiencies – If there are muscular imbalances or a subluxation of the patella can cause improper tracking of the patella (kneecap) as it slides over the joint during movement.

Treatment – Physiotherapy and knee braces that have a patellar cushion or donut to help keep the patella on track and support the structures of the joint.

 

Biomechanical Stress – When our feet, knees, hips or back are moving abnormally, or under increased stress, our bodies compensate to offload areas of pain. When our feet overpronate (roll inward) or if they are stiff and lack the ability to absorb shock properly through the bones of the foot, that shock or medial angle at the feet can be felt higher up in the chain, particularly the knees.

Treatment – Custom made orthotics, orthopedic shoes, physiotherapy and knee bracing options are all forms of treatment to offload painful areas, reduce pain and improve the body’s overall biomechanics.

 

How BioPed can help

By booking an assessment with a BioPed clinician we can help assess and recommend a treatment plan to help your knees feel happy again. We carry a variety of knee brace options to help you on the path to becoming pain free. Whether from injury or a health condition affecting the knee joint, BioPed is here to help you manage your symptoms, plan treatment, and assist you in getting a diagnosis to unveil the mystery of your knee pain. Additionally, to further your understanding of what is happening in the joint, you’ll want to get a referral from a doctor for imaging or be referred to a specialist for testing and support.

Your knees are crucial for joint for your activities of daily life. From getting up in the morning, to walking the dog and keeping up with the kids, your knees are constantly working. When your knees are in pain, simple daily tasks become difficult. Knee pain can be debilitating and limiting, but the cause can vary. From faulty biomechanics during gait to arthritis, injury and muscular imbalances, knee pain requires care and attention. We want to keep you and your knees feeling happy and healthy, so show your knees some love with BioPed Footcare’s wide range of products.

Knee sleeve

A sized compression sleeve for the knee based on measurements above and below the joint, the Ortho Sleeve gives between 15-20 mmHg compression to the joint, with the exception of the back of the knee and the kneecap for comfort. The compression keeps swelling down and increases your proprioception of the joint for better awareness, and tracking and decreased pain. It can be worn under any article of clothing including leggings and tight fitting pants for any and all activities. Handwashing is recommended as is air drying.

When to use – Achiness, mild swelling, unknown cause of pain without traumatic injury, manageable symptoms, maintenance of an old, stable injury

Over-the-counter knee braces

BioPed clinics carry an array of Bauerfeind Genutrain knee braces. These are over-the-counter fitted options, based on measurements taken by a clinician, to increase support, stability and compression to the knee joint to relieve pain. All are made of compressive knit material that hugs the knee to reduce swelling and pain while increasing proprioception. They also all feature a donut disc of cushion around the patella to maintain proper knee tracking. There are several models varying from low to high support. Our two most common are:

• Genutrain: Semi-rigid plastic supports along the the inside and outside of the leg for increased stability, knit compression sleeve, patellar donut cushion; mild stability and pain relief for general knee pain; suitable for all leg shapes and types for a wide range of activities from mild walking to sport; custom sizing available
• Genutrain S: Rigid hinged metal stability rails along the inside and outside aspectsof the joint, knit compression sleeve, patellar donut cushion; aggressive stability for alignment tracking and pain relief suitable for arthritis and more progressive knee deterioration or post injury; suitable for all levels of activity

Custom made knee braces

If you have been diagnosed with medial or lateral compartment arthritis or have a full or partial MCL, ACL or LCL tear, custom knee bracing may be the way to go. These braces are more of an exoskeleton with a rigid frame and the capacity to offload medial or lateral compartments for arthritic knees and stabilize the joint to act as those torn ligaments during the initial recovery process.

• Osskin Evoke/Provoke: The Osskin Evoke knee brace is an OA (osteoarthritis) custom knee brace designed for off loading of either the medial or lateral compartment to relieve pain and improve movement in an arthritic knee. It is also designed to be lightweight and low in profile for increased patient compliance and versatility.

The Osskin Provoke has all of the same principles with one key difference – it is designed for ligament instability as opposed to OA.

• DJO Custom braces: These are classic custom braces made by DonJoy, that we see regularly as a rigid frame from mid thigh to mid calf, hinges, usually a metal or fibreglass framework for stabilization and offloading to relieve pain for a variety of conditions.

Custom made orthotics

When knee pain is related to faulty biomechanics in the way we walk and stand, custom made orthotics can help to correct our stance and gait to offload the pressure on the knee. Recent studies have reported that people with medial compartment knee osteoarthritis have a relatively pronated foot posture. Custom made orthotics that support the natural arch, limit over pronation and control the movement of the mid foot and re-align the rear foot for a more neutral position help decrease pain by realigning the angles of the foot and knee from the ground up.

Come see us

Book an assessment online or over the phone today with your Certified Canadian Pedorthist at a BioPed near you to learn about your knee care options and get back to doing more with less knee pain!

It’s the 3rd period, you’re lining up for the final shot, ready to make the game winning play…BUT you have foot pain that’s been bothering you all day! Don’t let it distract you from the game or keep you from excelling at the sports you love. It doesn’t matter what type of sport/activity you participate in; injuries can occur at any point. Knowing how to limit your risk of injury is key in keeping you upright and moving forward towards the goal. Today, we’ll go over what you can do and what we can do to help you finish on top of the podium without a foot pain distraction.

Moderation in training

It is very easy to get caught up in the excitement of sport. The snow melts away, you slip your running shoes on and hit the track running 7 days a week. But overdoing it can cause huge issues in the long-term. Overtraining is one of the biggest risk factors when it comes to injuries in sport. Making sure you take it slow and train smart. This is always a great approach as it gives our bodies time to get used to the demands of sport. Even if you are a seasoned pro, practice quality over quantity and know your limits.

Gait assessment

Getting your gait assessed and knowing how your body moves is very important as it can help to show what you may be more at risk of injuring. For example, flat feet and overpronation often leads to more arch discomfort, whereas ankle instability can cause frequent sprains, etc. There are so many factors at play when it comes to your gait. At BioPed, we perform a full gait analysis and show you exactly how your body moves and what we can do if  help is needed.

Proper footwear

Shoes are the foundation to your body and in sport nothing changes. Similar to footwear for outside and inside, the most important thing is fit. Finding a skate, ski boot or running shoe that fits both length and width is crucial to foot health. No one likes blisters, callouses and corns, and with improperly fitted shoes the small hotspots you feel by half time can lead to major issues throughout the season.

Orthotics

Some people are just naturally more prone to injury and our body’s biomechanics can be a big contributing factor. Orthotics can be a fantastic solution to help prevent injury as they help to control for abnormal movement in the feet and give the lower limbs more stability. The best part is, we can make them fit into anything!

Bracing

Last, but not least, bracing! Whether you are recovering from an injury or at a higher risk for sprains, braces can provide additional stability and reduce the likelihood of further injuries, while also boosting confidence on the field. With a variety of options available, you can find a brace tailored to your specific needs and injured area.

Come see us

If you’re looking to elevate your game or there’s pain that is making it tough to continue playing, please book an appointment today! At BioPed Footcare, whether its bracing, shoes, orthotics or footwear we are here for you. With our on-site lab there is nothing we can’t do! Meet with one of BioPed’s lower limb clinicians to see how you can keep your feet and legs healthy!