Orthotics

We provide equipment to help patients recover from and avoid injury or live with lifelong conditions.

This includes:

Insoles
Braces
Splints
Calipers
Footwear
Spinal jackets
Helmets

These are known as orthoses. They are for any body part and worn externally.

They can help patients through:

Improved independence
Improved mobility
Pressure relief
Pain relief

Your GP, consultant, physiotherapist or podiatrist can refer you to our service. Once referred, you will get an appointment at one of our hospital sites.

You will get a text and letter. This will tell you the date, time and place of your appointment. Please tell us as soon as possible if you can’t come. Contact details are further down on this page.

Orthotics clinics take place in the outpatient department of our hospitals. Please register with the outpatient reception team on arrival.

You will see an orthotist. They will carry out an assessment and agree a treatment plan with you. This may include taking measurements to prescribe an orthotic appliance, insoles or footwear.

Appointments usually last 20 minutes. We may offer a longer appointment if needed.

You may have a follow-up appointment to fit and give you your appliance. At this appointment, the orthotist will check suitability, fit and comfort.

Some orthoses, like stockings and spinal supports, carry a prescription charge. You will need to pay this, unless you get free prescriptions. We will discuss this with you at your appointment.

Within 2 years of your referral, you can ask to see an orthotist. Please contact us using the details below.

If your appliance is damaged or breaks in the first 2 years, please contact us using the details below. We may be able to repair or replace it.

Product group	Maximum provision
Footwear	2 pairs of boots or shoes at any time. Second pair supplied after trial period completed. Replacement only when beyond repair.
Insoles	2 pairs at any time
Knee-Ankle-Foot Orthosis (KAFO) / Ankle Foot Orthosis (AFO)	1 pair / item at any time. Unless there is clinical need to have two. The orthotist will decide this.
Temporary devices (wrist splints, stock AFOs etc)	1
Fabric supports	2 pairs at any time. Second pair supplied after trial period completed.
Hosiery	2 pairs / items at any time. Second pair / item supplied after trial period completed.
Footwear repairs	As needed. If repairs seem too frequent, we will consider changes.
Footwear adaptations (such as raises, rockers, sockets for callipers)	4 per year.