Laura Campedelli, PT, DPT, is a physiotherapist with extensive experience in hospital emergency care and outpatient treatment, including children and adults.

If you have limited mobility due to injury or illness, your physical therapist (PT) may install orthoses to help you properly adjust your feet, legs, spine, or other parts of your body. So what exactly is an orthosis? An orthosis is a device used to support, align, prevent or correct deformities to help you move and function better. Your physical therapist may use many different types of orthoses.

Examples of orthoses that your PT may prescribe include:

The orthosis prescribed for you depends on your injury or medical condition, how it affects your exercise, and your level of recovery. You may use one type of orthosis for a period of time until you start to improve, then your PT may recommend another device, or you may continue your treatment without the orthosis,

One of the most common areas for orthotics is shoes. For example, it is common for people with flat feet to use orthoses. Flat feet refer to flat feet with missing medial arches.

If you have flat feet, your calves may rotate inward, causing pressure and strain on your knees.

This can cause several problems, including:

If you have flat feet, the insoles or orthoses in your shoes can help gently lift the arch of your foot and put your feet and calves in the best position. Your PT can assess the position of your feet and determine whether you should use orthoses for your shoes.

If you have a medical condition or after certain types of surgery, you may be prescribed orthotics.

For example, people with severe scoliosis (a type of curvature of the spine) may need to wear orthoses to prevent further curvature of the spine.

After the ACL is rebuilt, you may need to wear a knee brace as an orthosis to help you keep everything in the correct position during the rehabilitation process. Although the brace can help relieve your pain, make sure you know exactly how to use it correctly.

One of the most common reasons to stop using knee pads is a lack of fit. Your physical therapist can show you how to properly wear a knee brace after surgery and make sure it is not too tight or too loose.

If you feel pain or have limited mobility, your doctor or physical therapist may use orthoses to help you correct the condition. Make sure it is comfortable and you know how to use it so that you can heal properly as quickly as possible.

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American Podiatric Association. Prescription custom orthotics and insoles.

Michaudet C, Edenfield KM, Nicolette GW, etc. Foot and ankle condition: pes planus. FP essence. 2018;465:18-23.

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