Foot alignment and orthopedic shoes and orthotic inserts

We have removed our previous page on foot alignment because modern podiatry (and the way in which it looks at, and assesses, foot mechanics) is constantly changing. As a result, the information given below is generalist and intended only as background reading on the subject.

Assessment and evaluation

Historically a podiatrist would determine the cause of a foot or lower leg problem and prescribe an orthotic shoe or insert aimed at helping improve the active motion of the foot.

This assessment takes the form of visually and physically testing the foot with the patient both lying down and standing up (bearing weight).

The foot and ankles are examined for alignment and the ankle's dorsiflexion is assessed.

When the patient is standing (and the foot and ankle are load bearing) it is possible to see how the foot and lower leg operate during weight bearing. The posture, balance and impact on the rest of the body, but particularly the legs and hips, can also be evaluated in this way.

More critical evaluations can be made by testing the main movements of the foot (and ankle) and by using motion markers on the feet that indicate if these movements are appropriate for a healthy foot.

These tests determine the stability of the foot, the range of natural movement of the foot and the impact that these movements have on the different parts of the foot and the rest of the body.

All of these tests can assist in determining if the feet are correctly aligned and whether or not there are any muscular weaknesses, or zones of movement that are problematic or prone to injury.

Based on these and many other tests and assessments, modern podiatry can determine the extent and significance of foot alignment and recommend any corrective actions from the use of orthopedic shoes and orthotic inserts, to physiotherapy and even surgery.

Please see our other pages (from the menus to the left and the top of this page) for information about orthopedic shoes and orthotic inserts.

If you want some information that will allow you to make a very general assemment of your feet, go to our foot print page where you can determine if you suffer from pronation or supinated feet.