Systemic Diseases
Arthritis
There are many different types of Arthritis. The most common type is Osteoarthritis which generally tends to affect the larger weight bearing joints such as the spine, knees, ankles, midfoot, and big toe joints.
Rheumatoid Arthritis is an example of a systemic auto immune inflammatory disease which can attack multiple joints in a symmetrical pattern. The neck, shoulders, knees ankles and the smaller joints of the hands. fingers and feet are often affetced and can cause severe deformities if left untreated.
Other types of arthritis are Lupus, Juvenile, Psoriatic and Scleroderma.
Wrist and hand splints and special shoes and inserts can be very helpful in reducing pain and proving support for people with Arthritis.
Hypermobility Syndromes
Ligamentous laxity can mean that some or all of the joints have an unusually large range of movement, in some cases making joints unstable and at risk of dislocation.
Some people also suffer with fatigue and have to work their muscles a lot harder just to balance in everyday walking.
Orthotics can help to restore a more normal movement pattern by restricting the excessive movements occurring at the affected joints, which in turn reduces the associated pain and improves stability.
There are several different types of Hypermobility Syndrome called Ehlers Danlos, Marfans Syndrome, Stickler Syndrome.
Varicose Veins
and Lymphoedema
Compression hosiery and stockings are used to help venous return in damaged veins and to help control swelling in patients with primary and secondary Lymphoedema.
A variety of colours, styles, materials and designs are available in a full range of custom sizes and compressions which will be carefully selected by your Orthotist to best suit your needs.
Diabetes Mellitus
Diabetes can affect multiple systems in the body, including eye sight (retinopathy), heart and circulatory system, kidneys, and nerves including those responsible for sensation (peripheral neuropathy).
Diabetes can develop in children (usually type 1), and adults (usually type 2) and during pregnancy (gestational). Poor glucose control in patients with diabetes can have a catastrophic effect on the feet. Charcot arthropathy deformity and toe or foot amputations are serious complications of the disease.
An Orthotist can recommend the most appropriate high street footwear, or design bespoke footwear and total contact insoles to relieve areas of high pressure, to protect and reduce the risk of diabetic foot ulcers.