So you’ve finally taken the first step - you have an appointment booked at a BioPed clinic! If this is your first visit to see a Canadian Certified Pedorthist, we understand that there may be some nerves around the first session. However, we strive to make it the best experience we can. Here’s what to expect when you first come in:
When it comes to accessing the care in our clinics, a common question is whether the province’s health plan will cover the cost. Programs such as OHIP (Ontario Health Insurance Plan), HIBC (Health Insurance British Columbia), Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) and MSI (Medical Services Insurance) typically do not cover the items or services offered at BioPed for your foot health.
A plantar fibroma is a knot or nodule of fibrous tissue that develops in the arch of the foot. They can develop in one or both feet and can be painful to walk on. They can also cause a change in the way you walk, which can put abnormal strain on your body’s joints and soft tissues.
When we walk, our feet must move and adapt in certain ways to lessen the risk for injury, pain and discomfort. To prepare for contacting ground, the foot arch must be higher or more supinated, making the foot a rigid lever for heel strike. As the body progresses through the gait cycle, the arch flattens slightly or pronates to adapt to uneven terrain and absorb shock from the ground.
Why is it that we often lose weight where no one notices? For example, in our feet! Did you know that as we age, the fat pad under our feet that cushions our heels and balls of our feet wears thin? Foot experts refer to this as fat pad atrophy.
Orthotics do more than just support your arches. In addition to providing relief for painful foot problems or injuries, orthotics may also help those who must walk or stand for a long time as part of their job by redistributing pressures across their feet and lower limbs.
