Orthotics
The Orthotics service provides assessment of the whole body for biomechanical problems and if appropriate may prescribe, measure, fit and review an Orthosis, such as insoles, prescription footwear, ankle foot orthoses, knee braces, hernia supports, spinal braces, helmets and wrist hand orthoses.
The correct supply and fitting of Orthoses can help improve quality of life by:
- Reducing or helping to manage pain
- Keeping people mobile and independent
- Reducing falls
- Preventing and facilitating healing of ulcers
- Helping people recover from injury or live with lifelong conditions.
The Orthotist may prescribe and supply Orthotic devices but can also give advice about what you can do to improve your own health and manage your condition.
If you need to contact Orthotics please call 01896 827427 or email: orthotics@borders.scot.nhs.uk
What is an Orthosis?
An orthosis is an externally applied device designed and fitted to support a body part affected by disease, deformity or injury. It may also be called a “brace”, “splint” or “orthosis”. The purpose and design of an orthosis may change over time along with the changing needs of the patient. The term Orthosis covers a wide variety of devices such as:
- Insoles
- Ankle braces
- Knee braces
- Hernia supports
- Spinal braces
- Helmets
- Wrist splints
- Footwear (made to measure and adaptations to patient’s own shoes)
What is an Orthotist?
Orthotists are professionally qualified autonomous registered health care professionals who specialise in the assessment of the whole body for biomechanical problems and if appropriate may prescribe, measure, fit or review an Orthosis. Orthotists work in both inpatient and outpatient settings across a wide range of specialities seeing both adults and children. Whilst they often work independently they increasingly form part of multidisciplinary teams such as within the diabetic foot team or neuro-rehabilitation team.
What conditions are commonly seen by Orthotics?
- Diabetic foot ulcers
- Neurological conditions, e.g. Cerebral Palsy, Stroke, Multiple Sclerosis, Motor Neurone disease
- Neuromuscular disorders, e.g. Muscular Dystrophy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth
- Rheumatological conditions, e.g. Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis
- Congenital disorders, e.g. Limb deformities
- Orthopaedic conditions, e.g. Talipes, acquired deformity, Posterior Tibial tendon dysfunction
- Congenital syndromes e.g. Downs Syndrome
- Developmental delay
- Learning Disabilities
- Conditions where mobility is affected, e.g. Oncology
How to access our services:
Adults - You can be referred by your GP or another healthcare professional. If you have been seen by Orthotics in the Borders in the last 5 years you can call directly for another appointment or repeat order if necessary. Beyond this time we may ask for a new referral to ensure we have the most up to date medical information.
Children- A request for assistance from the Paediatric Orthotics Service can be made via the child's school, Healthcare Professional, Doctor, Health Visitor, Nurse, or by parents/carers contacting the service directly and completing a request for assistance form.
Where do we provide clinics?
The adults Orthotics service is based at the Borders General Hospital and runs on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Children’s Orthotics clinics taken place at Galashiels Health centre every Thursday afternoon and rotates monthly round The Knoll Duns, Kelso Community Hospital, Hawick Health Centre and Haylodge Health centre Peebles on Thursday mornings.
Where do I check in for my appointment?
At the BGH please check in at the reception desk in Outpatient department A, Ground Floor, Pink Zone. Please do not go directly into the Orthotics Clinic room on arrival as the Orthotist will likely be seeing another patient.
For the children’s clinics: Kelso Community Hospital, please wait in the waiting area by the main reception, Haylodge Health centre please wait in the main waiting area, Hawick Health centre, please wait in the main waiting room near the midwife rooms and at the Knoll please take a seat in the chairs outside the physio department.
What happens at my appointment?
The Orthotist discusses your issues and expectations of treatment with you. They will then carry out an assessment of your requirements and takes any measurements needed (which may include impressions or a cast). The Orthotist will prescribe the device they feel will best assist you and order or design it to suit your needs and fit the finished device to you. You may receive your orthosis at the assessment appointment or it may need to be specially made or ordered and a further fitting appointment will be required. The Orthotist will explain what the orthosis is designed to do and when and how to wear it.
What should I bring to my appointment?
It would be helpful if you could bring the following:
- Any previous orthoses you have been issued with
- A spare pair of footwear if you are being assessed for a raise
- Suitable clothing for your assessment (for example shorts for a knee assessment)
- Suitable footwear (lace or velcro fastening) if you are being assessed for insoles (ideally not sandals or slip ons).
If you need to contact Orthotics please call 01896 827427 or email: orthotics@borders.scot.nhs.uk
Sharon Wiener-Ogilvie, Service Lead Podiatry and Orthotics
Mairi MacKay, Orthotist
Lisa Allan, Orthotics Administrator