If you’re considering having custom orthotics, you might be unsure if you should see a chiropodist, podiatrist, or pedorthist.

 

Each of these professions has its own set of definitions and focuses. Individuals with new gait or foot difficulties may find it difficult to determine where they should seek assistance.

 

It’s much more challenging when you’re working within the limits of your insurance plan and want to acquire the greatest orthotics that your provider will cover.

 

We’ll go through why there are so many distinct kinds of foot specialists today. Our summary of each specialization will help you comprehend each doctor’s education and how they assist patients with diverse gait, pronation, and foot disorders.

 

Obtaining Insurance Coverage for Your Custom Orthotics

When purchasing orthotics, the first thing to consider is whether or not your insurance company will cover them.

 

Each insurance plan is different, but in Canada, most policies need custom-made orthotics to treat the foot abnormalities discovered through a professional biomechanical or gait study.

 

For the majority of people, receiving bespoke orthotics starts with a consultation with a chiropodist, podiatrist, or pedorthist.

 

Every person who purchases custom orthotics should contact their insurance company to find out how to file a claim. Individual plans differ, but you’ll normally need to produce a prescription from your doctor, as well as details from any biomechanical or gait analysis they perform and an invoice from the manufacturer.

 

All of our custom orthotics at Orthotics Direct come with the lab work paperwork that most insurance plans demand. You’ll still need to see a chiropodist, podiatrist, or pedorthist to acquire a prescription, which will ensure that your orthotics are covered by your insurance.

 

Definitions of Chiropodist, Pedorthist, and Podiatrist

You may start preparing your papers now that you know what documentation you’ll need to give to your insurance company.

 

Seeing a foot specialist for a diagnosis and prescription for custom orthotics is the first step for most people.

 

But how can you decide which type of specialist you need to see? Let’s have a look at the various alternatives.

 

What is the role of a Chiropodist?

The chiropodist is one of the three categories of foot experts we’re identifying today, although you might not see them much in 2020. This is due to the fact that chiropodist is a term that has mostly fallen out of favor in Canada.

 

We replaced the words “chiropodist” and “chiropody” with “podiatrist” and “podiatry” in the mid-twentieth century. The words “chiropodist” and “chiropody” are still used by some older medical organisations and organizations. By the 1960s, however, the medical establishment had decided that these names were being used interchangeably with chiropractors and chiropractic medicine.

 

The term “podiatry,” which comes from the Greek word for “foot,” was adopted by the medical world. Doctors who work as chiropodists are now uncommon in Canada.

 

What is a Podiatrist and what does he or she do?

A podiatrist is a medical professional who specializes in the treatment and care of the feet and ankles. They must first earn a bachelor’s degree in the sciences before enrolling in a four-year Podiatric Medicine program. After that, students must pass the board and license tests, as well as complete a one- to three-year residency in a hospital.

 

A podiatrist is trained to diagnose problems with the ankles and feet. They can create and carry out treatment programs that range from medicine to custom orthotics to surgical procedures.

 

If you’re experiencing persistent foot pain, have lost any function or movement, or have feelings like numbness, tingling, or swelling, you should see a podiatrist.

 

What does it mean to be a Pedorthist?

A pedorthist is a specialist who diagnoses and treats problems with the feet and ankles. However, rather than anatomical abnormalities, they concentrate on the biomechanics and movement of the foot, ankle, and lower legs.

 

Pedorthists must enroll in a post-degree diploma program or complete a three-year hands-on apprenticeship after earning an undergraduate degree in kinesiology or human kinetics. After that, students must write an exam to be accepted to the Pedorthic Association of Canada, which is required if they want to practice in this sector.

 

If you’re having trouble walking or running, or if you’re in discomfort when you move your feet, a pedorthist is the ideal specialist to see. They can perform a thorough foot and ankle examination, looking at every detail of how you walk and move to see whether you have any gait or pronation concerns.

 

A pedorthist can then recommend footwear changes or orthotics to alleviate pain and restore mobility.

 

Getting the Best Custom Orthotics for the Lowest Price

You can work with a competent manufacturer to create bespoke orthotics that fit your precise measurements once you’ve received a prescription from a podiatrist or pedorthist. We supply consumer bespoke orthotics at IDEASTEP Orthotics, which means we pass on our cost savings to our customers.

 

Every order comes with full paperwork that you can submit to your insurance company for reimbursement. It’s simple to discover the right orthotic package for your needs with a range of orthotic packages for any occasion.