Orthoses, orthotics, footbeds, pre-mouldeds, foot supports,
arch supports, call them what you will. It was here at Sportsmed, New Zealand’s
largest Sports Medicine centre that we began developing the footbionics® range
of orthoses that we offer you today. This was no mean feat and took several
years for us to
develop the unique design. Footbionics® are designed by podiatrists
for your patients……
Footbionics® have evolved following consultation with many podiatrists as well as the patients being treated at Sportsmed. “Quite simply we wanted to develop a product that was superior to anything else on the market”.
Treating the tens of thousands of patients seen over the years with orthotic devices has opened our eyes as to what both the “podiatrist and patient” require from orthoses. Our next generation range is testament to the input from our users.
“ The great thing about our product is that is we are still evolving it”. Like athletic shoes, we will never be satisfied with the final product – evolution is a critical element in our development”. Thus we have incorporated materials that have been tested already by many large shoe companies. Why reinvent the wheel?
Athletic shoe companies started compression moulding
EVA midsoles a long
time ago. Again this process which has proved benefits in terms of shape
retention, and durability seemed the most appropriate for our method
of manufacture.
Compression moulding can often compress foams to a denser and harder
form. We have found a way around this and offer one of the most comfortable
compression
moulded orthotic ranges on the market.
The shape of our footbionics® products has been refined several times like the evolution of a model of athletic shoe. The challenge is to provide a generic shape that will accommodate most foot types. Footbionics® arch profiles are not aggressive and therefore are tolerated exceptionally well.
The importance of the windlass mechanism in foot function has ensured that our design avoided excessive medial blocking in the arch region. The concave underside of the orthotic ensures however that the practitioner can easily modify the product with the use of the 3-D pre-moulded arch and heel additions. Nothing could be simpler in using these footbionics® additions that are seamless and offer instant motion control.
Comfort is integral to our design. Our philosophy is that “like and athletic shoe” an orthotic should be immediately comfortable to wear. Would any of us really buy an uncomfortable shoe with the advice that “give it a week or two and you’ll get used to it?” Using footbionics® we do not have to give our patients this same advice.
We have really pushed the boundaries in our footbionics® designs and look forward to continue our lead in taking orthoses to another level.
Research
Footbionics® are also actively involved in regular foot and ankle research. This research is essential particularly when changes to the orthotic geometry are concerned. We see research as being integral to our product development and use New Zealand podiatrist Greg Woolman to help coordinate such studies.
Some innovative and world first research carried out by Greg has measured specific foot movements particularly in the sports of skiing and snowboarding. This research commenced in 1998 and has been ongoing particularly the area of ski biomechanics and snowboard biomechanics.
Ski and snowboard research he has performed includes
- 3D foot and ankle joint motion during simulated snowboard landings
- Foot and ankle joint motion during snowboarding
- The effect of binding position upon foot and ankle joint motion while snowboarding
- The effect of ski boots upon balance and foot proprioception
- 3D foot and ankle joint motion during skiing
This research is presented internationally. “It’s great to think that here in New Zealand we can contribute significantly to this area of both ski and snowboard research”.
For more information on these studies email us for a copy of Greg’s research abstracts.
