11 Aug What is a Pedorthist?

FAQs: What Does a Pedorthist Do?

At Shuman Podiatry, we’re proud to offer the services of a fully certified pedorthist to all our customers. We particularly recommend this service to older people, athletes, people with diabetes, and anyone who needs the right footwear. Do you have questions about this service? Here’s what you need to know.

What Is a Pedorthist?

A pedorthist is a specially trained healthcare professional who focuses on the way you walk and whether your footwear is helping or hurting. Pedorthists focus on helping people get and stay as mobile as possible. If you’ve had recurring foot problems or you play sports, a pedorthist can ensure your footwear has the features you need.

Is a Pedorthist the Same as a Podiatrist?

No. Although they both treat disorders of the feet, they focus on different aspects of foot health. A podiatrist is a doctor who specializes in treating skin, bone, and ligament disorders of the feet, ankles, and lower legs.

A pedorthist focuses on what you wear on your feet. They examine and modify your socks, footwear and orthotics to determine how these items affect your foot health. A podiatrist can diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions. A pedorthist can help you select the footwear and orthotics that keep your feet as healthy as possible.

Does Every Podiatrist‘s Office Have a Pedorthist?

No, but they probably should. As you know, foot health begins with proper footwear. Properly fitted shoes prevent many foot problems and sports-related injuries, including ingrown toenails, Achilles tendonitis, blisters, calluses, turf toe, and many other problems.

By offering the services of a pedorthist, a podiatrist can make sure your footwear, orthotics, and athletic shoes give you the support you need. You’ll be safer and more confident when you walk, work out or play sports.

Can a Pedorthist Help Me?

If you have a chronic foot problem, a pedorthist can help your doctor develop treatment plans to manage it. If you frequently injure yourself or have to wear specialty shoes, a pedorthist can determine if you’re using the right footwear or devices. Once you receive a prescription for orthotics or a medical device, the pedorthist can conduct follow-up examinations to make sure they’re working properly.

What Will the Pedorthist Do During the Appointment?

The pedorthist will first examine the way you walk to see if there are any obvious issues. The examination includes a thorough inspection of the shoes you wear normally, including sports shoes, boots, slippers and sandals. They will also look at any bandages, night splints, orthotics and other medical devices you wear.

Can’t a Podiatrist Do These Things?

A podiatrist can certainly help with all these, but only a pedorthist can give you an in-depth understanding of how your footwear affects the way you move. By incorporating a pedorthist’s advice, your doctor can develop a comprehensive, holistic treatment plan that begins with healthy feet.

Can a Pedorthist Fix My Footwear?

A pedorthist can modify your footwear, orthotics, medical devices, and other items to suggest changes. In many cases, the pedorthist can show you different ways to wear your footwear or suggest new orthotics.

Why Is Footwear So Important?

If you read our blog articles, you’ll notice a common theme. In each, we state that properly fitting, supportive footwear is the key to preventing injuries, avoiding foot problems, and staying mobile. Footwear is the foundation of good foot health, which is why we’re delighted to offer the services of a pedorthist to all our Loudoun County customers. Call us today to learn more.