Who we are
Orthotics is a specialist medical discipline in which external orthoses or braces/supports are designed and fitted to an individual to provide one or more of the following:
- Correction or prevention of a physical deformity
- Stabilisation of a joint or joints
- Reduction of pain
- Improvement in mobility or performance
- Reduction in the risk of injury
- Protection
Orthoses are used to treat many common medical conditions. They come in many shapes and sizes and may be mass produced items or made specifically for an individual.
The orthotist is responsible for the assessment and fitting of the braces and these include collars, spinal braces, knee braces, insoles and footwear.
The service is available for both adults and children who are registered with a St Helens or Knowsley GP.
Initial access is either via your GP or a St Helens & Knowsely Teaching Hospital consultant. Once you have been assessed & treated by the Orthotics service, you will be discharged but you can re-refer yourself to the service if you have any problems or require a replacement. Simply click on the 'self-refer to our service' button on the right side this page and fill in our simple online referral form.
We work closely with the specialist diabetes and rheumatology outpatient departments at St Helens hospital.
Satellite clinics are also held in the community working alongside the physiotherapists treating paediatrics.
British Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists BAPO - www.bapo.com