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do foot orthoses come with a body weight limit

Discussion in 'Biomechanics, Sports and Foot orthoses' started by Ross Walker, Sep 15, 2014.

  1. Ross Walker

    Ross Walker Member


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    Hi everyone


    sorry if this has been discussd before.

    I was in a bar with my wife on saturday when i overheard a conversation from the table next to me.. (happy it wasnt on scottish independance)

    A rather large & overweight man was talking about his painfull feet. no matter what type of shoes he bought he could not get any pain relief.. One of his group said do you have a shoe insert, to which the man replied yes it was made for me but it doesnt work. He was wearing flip flops when i looked at his feet.
    This then started a rather loud discussion between the group about how rubbish the foot specialist was that supplied them and how rubbish the foot orthoses obviously were..

    Found it rather funny that not one of them mentioned his weight..

    this got me thinking is there a weight limit for orthoses? if so does anyone know at what weight an orthotic device whether it be off the shelf or casted stops working.. would it depend on the design of the orthoses.

    i have never had a patient in my clinic that (from the look of this guy) weighed more than 25 stone:eek:

    Out of intrest, tried looking for journal articles but cant find any specific to weight limit. does anyone have any info on this.

    Again If this has been discussed before i am sorry

    thanx

    ross walker
     
  2. No weight limit

    but there maybe limitations on how long the device will last and how effective it is
     
  3. Ross Walker

    Ross Walker Member

    thanks for that mike
     
  4. Boots n all

    Boots n all Well-Known Member

    The biggest guy l currently treat is now down from 268 kg(42 stone) to a much healthier 238kg(37.4 stone)

    The biggest issue in relation to weight was not the orthoses, but the cheap crappy pair of shoes he had on, the sole after 8 weeks wear had collapsed and split out the lateral wall and the upper was going the same way, the orthoses didnt stand a chance.

    We resoled the shoe with a solid EVA wedge, which means the orthoses is better supported to support the foot.

    l would suggest if you were treating large people, to look at the shoe/sole that your orthoses is going into first, no use doing anything if the foundations aren't right, its a bit like putting good wine in a milk carton.
     
  5. No weight limit in my experience. The weight is an important consideration in the construction of the devices.
    A core plastic shell adequate for the weight should have a lifetime guarantee against cracking at most labs.
    The top covering on the dorsal surface of the shell and the posting and arch support on the plantar surface can be replaced often to keep the devices like new.
     
  6. Mike Plank

    Mike Plank Active Member

    Quote "Found it rather funny that not one of them mentioned his weight.."

    Ah! yes, the old Elephant in the room!

    For a bespoke (casted/scanned) pair the thickness of the shell should be increased with a heavier patient. This will ensure it does not flex too much.
    For prefabricated orthoses (EVA type) the denser material the better or they will have little or no effect as the material 'bottoms out' (is permanently compressed) rapidly.
     
  7. Ross Walker

    Ross Walker Member

    thanx for the input guys

    ross
     
  8. N.Smith

    N.Smith Active Member

    Weight is definitely an issue but I've seen plenty of people weighing less than
    60kg's and can't lift their arch when they WB. I believe it's more about the STJ axis
    And not "all" about weight
     
  9. Mike Plank

    Mike Plank Active Member

    Absolutely and weakness of Post tib tendon!
     
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