At MH Sports Podiatry, custom foot orthoses are prescribed using dynamic movement and loading assessment rather than static foot shape alone. Through advanced Footscan plantar pressure analysis and biomechanical assessment, we evaluate how forces move through the foot during walking and running to identify areas of excessive pressure, inefficient loading and altered movement strategies that may contribute to pain or overload. This allows orthotic intervention to be more targeted, clinically meaningful and specific to the individual’s movement demands.
Pressure analysis provides detailed information regarding centre of pressure progression, loading symmetry, forefoot and rearfoot pressure distribution, contact timing and propulsion mechanics. These findings are interpreted alongside clinical examination, gait analysis and strength assessment to better understand how foot mechanics interact with the rest of the lower limb. In many cases, excessive tissue stress is influenced not simply by foot posture, but by the interaction between movement strategy, strength capacity, mobility and activity demands.
We use PHITS 3D printed orthoses to create highly individualised devices designed from dynamic movement and pressure data collected during gait. Orthoses may be used to help redistribute excessive tissue stress, improve pressure distribution and support movement efficiency during walking, running and sport. They can be beneficial in the management of conditions such as plantar heel pain, Achilles tendon overload, forefoot pain, plantar plate pathology, stress-related injuries and movement-related lower-limb pain where temporary load modification may assist recovery and rehabilitation.
Orthoses are rarely used in isolation and are instead integrated within a broader rehabilitation and management strategy that may include footwear modification, strength development, movement retraining and progressive loading. The aim is not simply to “correct” foot posture, but to improve load tolerance, reduce excessive tissue stress and help individuals move more comfortably and efficiently during daily life, exercise and sport.
