FCC Footwear & Orthotics 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of an accommodative orthotic in foot care?
- To correct structural foot deformities
- To redistribute plantar pressure and provide cushioning (Correct answer)
- To increase athletic performance
- To reduce ankle swelling
Correct answer: To redistribute plantar pressure and provide cushioning
Accommodative orthotics are designed to redistribute plantar pressure, reduce friction, and provide cushioning to protect vulnerable areas of the foot.
Question 2: Which shoe feature is most important when selecting footwear for a patient with diabetic peripheral neuropathy?
- Stylish appearance with elevated heels
- Tight fit to prevent slipping inside the shoe
- Seamless interior and extra depth to prevent pressure points (Correct answer)
- Pointed toe box for a streamlined fit
Correct answer: Seamless interior and extra depth to prevent pressure points
Patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy cannot feel pressure or friction, so seamless interiors and extra depth are critical to prevent pressure sores and ulcers.
Question 3: What distinguishes a functional orthotic from an accommodative orthotic?
- Functional orthotics are always soft; accommodative orthotics are always rigid
- Functional orthotics correct biomechanical abnormalities; accommodative orthotics provide cushioning and protection (Correct answer)
- Functional orthotics are always custom-made; accommodative orthotics are always prefabricated
- There is no clinically significant difference between the two types
Correct answer: Functional orthotics correct biomechanical abnormalities; accommodative orthotics provide cushioning and protection
Functional orthotics are designed to control abnormal foot motion and biomechanics, while accommodative orthotics focus on cushioning and redistributing pressure.
Question 4: Which material property is most desirable in an orthotic worn by a patient with metatarsalgia?
- Maximum rigidity to prevent any foot motion
- High density to increase the weight of the device
- Shock-absorbing and pressure-dispersing properties (Correct answer)
- A waterproof coating as the primary feature
Correct answer: Shock-absorbing and pressure-dispersing properties
Metatarsalgia involves pain in the ball of the foot, so shock-absorbing and pressure-dispersing materials help reduce stress on the metatarsal heads.
Question 5: What characteristic is recommended for the heel counter of therapeutic footwear?
- Soft and flexible to allow movement in all directions
- Firm and well-fitting to provide rearfoot stability (Correct answer)
- Absent to allow maximum freedom of the heel
- Constructed only from synthetic materials
Correct answer: Firm and well-fitting to provide rearfoot stability
A firm, well-fitting heel counter controls rearfoot motion and provides stability, which is essential in therapeutic footwear.
Question 6: When should a foot care nurse refer a patient for custom orthotics rather than recommending prefabricated insoles?
- When the patient requests a specific color or style preference
- When the patient has complex structural deformities requiring precise biomechanical correction (Correct answer)
- When prefabricated insoles are temporarily out of stock
- When the patient is under 30 years of age
Correct answer: When the patient has complex structural deformities requiring precise biomechanical correction
Custom orthotics are indicated when patients have complex structural issues or conditions that require precise, individualized biomechanical correction that prefabricated insoles cannot provide.
Question 7: What is a rocker-bottom shoe modification designed to accomplish?
- Improve traction on wet or slippery surfaces
- Reduce forefoot pressure by limiting toe extension during the push-off phase of gait (Correct answer)
- Increase heel height for postural alignment
- Provide additional width in the toe box area
Correct answer: Reduce forefoot pressure by limiting toe extension during the push-off phase of gait
A rocker-bottom sole reduces the need for toe extension during the push-off phase of gait, decreasing pressure on the forefoot and metatarsal heads.
FCC Footwear & Orthotics 1
What is the primary purpose of an accommodative orthotic in foot care?