Equiflex - Orthotics for the treating the high arch foot
What is Equiflex?
Contoured for equinus and lateral loading correction The Equiflex foot orthosis is contoured to improve the ability of the high arch foot to function correctly and eliminate the cause of pain.
The natural inclination of the high arch foot causes it to have less available ankle joint movement during walking (equinus). This generates a greater need for the arch to lower as the foot is loaded with body weight.
As this ability is often limited, forces become higher under the 1st toe joint. The result is a trend to develop a stiffer, less flexible foot that rolls towards the outer (lateral) border as the body moves over the foot during walking. This unstable position can be damaging to the ankle, the lateral forefoot and the leg’s structures due to the inability to absorb loading forces.
Equiflex will elevate the heel position, reduce 1st toe joint pressure, encourage a normal acceptance of body weight and reduce lateral instability. Why Equiflex? You have selected an Equiflex device for your patient because they have an SNA arch value of around 150° - 180°.
This type of foot anatomy is often described as ‘pes cavus’ and can be associated with some neurological conditions e.g. peroneal muscular atrophy. Therefore, it is important to have ruled this out prior to diagnosing a biomechanical problem. As this foot type is loaded with body weight, forces can often fail to generate any tendency of the medial arch to lower (no SNA change on weight bearing).
This reduces the foot’s ability to absorb the impact from the ground and pressures under the heel and 1st MTP joint are frequently excessive. Equiflex is shaped to match the unique anatomy of this foot type and allow natural shock absorbing to occur.
This will encourage a more even distribution of pressure and forces within the foot and leg.
Equiflex is only available as a full-length model due to the unique shaping that is required i.e. a recess under the 1st metatarsal head and a support for the lateral forefoot. A choice of different densities is available with a large number of individual posting options that should be selected for each foot.
The Equiflex Orthotics are part of the 3 Point Pivot System.
We recommend this product is fitted by a qualified healthcare professional.