What should you check in a patient before providing custom orthotics?

When considering the provision of custom orthotics, assessing the patient's gait mechanics is essential. Gait mechanics refer to the movement patterns and dynamics of how a patient walks, which can provide valuable insights into their specific foot function and overall body alignment. By observing the patient's gait, a pedorthist can identify inefficiencies, such as overpronation or supination, which can lead to discomfort or injury.

Understanding a patient's gait will directly influence the design and modifications of the orthotics to ensure they provide adequate support, improve alignment, and relieve pain. Custom orthotics are often aimed at correcting specific mechanical issues present during walking or running, and without a comprehensive analysis of gait, it would be challenging to create an effective orthotic solution.

While checking overall foot structure, presence of allergies, and footwear preferences are all important components of a comprehensive assessment, they are secondary to understanding how the foot interacts with the ground during movement, which is fundamentally addressed through the evaluation of gait mechanics.