Pedorthic Services
Looking for the right shoe and orthotic combination to alleviate your foot pain?
Starting with a full gait analysis and clinical assessment, our Canadian Certified Pedorthists & trained staff will design the appropriate orthotic to suit your foot type, injury and lifestyle as well as educating you on choosing the best footwear. Our onsite lab enables us to modify your orthotics while you wait.
Services we offer
Pedorthic AssessmentThe assessment of lower limb bony alignment, movement pattern, and general function of the foot and its interaction with the rest of the body. This also includes a history taking, bony palpation, range of motion testing, gait analysis and a footwear consultation. | Custom-Made FootwearFootwear that is custom designed, mainly to address the structural foot deformaties and special mechanic deficiencies. The primary focus is on specialty orthopedic footwear. This includes accommodating bony, structural deformities of the feet and lower leg due to confenital deformities and diseases such as severe arthritis, diabetes, and diabetic Charcot feet. |
Gait AnalysisThe observation of an individual while walking to identify unusual patterns or function resulting from abnormal lower limb or foot structure identified during the examination. Each phase of the gait cycle is analyzed for abnormal movement patterns and functions. | Shoe Repair/ModificationRepairs includes (and are not limited to): resoling, restitching, leather repairs, zipper/velcro replacement. Modifications are changes or adaptations made to footwear to improve the function and to accommodate specific pathologies such as leg length discrepancy, ankle arthodesis (fusion), severe arthritis, neurological conditions and diabetic complications. It can also be cosmetic such as leather dying, or changing the closure from laces to velcro. |
Custom Foot Orthoses (Orthotics)A custom foot orthotic is a device that is designed specifically for each individual and can be discretely inserted into a shoe for support. Custom foot orthotics serve to align the body, prevent and/or accommodate foot abnormalities, and assist with the overall function of the foot. Used in conjunction with appropriate footwear, a foot orthotic can be effective in helping to treat a variety of foot/lower limb problems including (and not limited to): heel pain, arch pain, forefoot pain, shin splints, knee pain and hip pain. Foot orthotics can also help address foot & lower limb pain and complications related to health conditions such as: arthritis, diabetes, congenital diabetes and neurological complications. | Compression TherapyMedical compression therapy consists of applying a type of elastic device, mainly on the limbs to exert a controlled pressure on them. By compressing the limbs or body regions, the medical compression device squeezes the vein walls together, improving overall circulation and supporting blood flow back to the heart. |
Visit Our FootHealth Centres
Our FootHealth Centres are located in both Winnipeg, MB and Calgary, AB.
Winnipeg, MB
Calgary, AB
Unit 173 - 5005 Dalhousie Drive NW
Calgary, AB, Canada
Driving Directions
Mon-Fri 9:30am - 5pm
(by appointment only)
Meet our Team
Our team of professionals provide a refined experience in Pedorthic services, lower limb care, and footwear repair and modifications. We strive to meet and exceed your expectations, treating a wide variety of lifestyle mobility issues.
WINNIPEG
Brian Scharfstein
Owner/President of Canadian Footwear, Certified Pedorthist (Canada)
Brian Scharfstein is a Canadian Pedorthist specializing in care of the diabetic foot. He is the principal owner of Canadian Footwear and the Foot Health Centre in Winnipeg and Calgary. He has served as a board member and a volunteer of the Canadian Diabetes Association in Manitoba. Brian’s passion for footwear and footcare dates to his childhood as he grew up in the family footwear business. Brian subsequently pursued his education at Northwestern University in Chicago in the prosthetics and orthotics department to further his training as an orthopedic shoe technician at Ball State University (Muncie, Indiana) and undertook further training with Dennis Janisse at the Milwaukee General Hospital. Brian has been able to take his skill and create the Foot Health Centre, a centre of excellence for the management of lower extremity problems in persons with all types of orthopedic, rheumatologic, and diabetic complications. Brian is an active member of the Health Sciences Centre Diabetic Foot and Complicated Wound Clinic where he is an integral part of the healthcare team. Through this affiliation with the Health Sciences Centre, Brian is actively involved in the management of patients with diabetic foot complications, and in the teaching of trainees in medicine, occupational and physiotherapy, as well as, podiatry and Pedorthics.
WINNIPEG
Marianne Viau
Certified Pedorthist (Canada)
Marianne has worked at the Foot Health Centre and Canadian Footwear since 1993 and attained her C Ped designation in 1999 and her C Ped (C) designation in 2003. Marianne has a special interest in the diabetic foot and vascular complications. She has consulted and provided pedorthic services in Winnipeg for Health Sciences Centre, Misericordia Hospital and Mount Carmel Clinic. Marianne has presented on several occasions sharing her knowledge with allied health professionals and at public forums. She enjoys teaching, whether it be allied health professionals or educating her own patients. Her favorite part of being a Pedorthist is being able to improve her patient’s quality of life. In her spare time, she enjoys camping, fishing, hiking and outdoor exploring with her family.
CALGARY
Amanda Bushby
HBKin, Dip Ped, Certified Pedorthist (Canada)
Amanda has been working as a Canadian Certified Pedorthist for the past 15 years. She graduated from Lakehead University in 2004 and received her Honours Bachelor of Kinesiology degree. She then completed her Diploma in Pedorthics at the University of Western Ontario in 2005. Amanda was introduced to the field of pedorthics through a career symposium during her last year of Kinesiology. Amanda obtained her Canadian Pedorthics Certification in 2005. Amanda has served on the Pedorthic Association of Canada's Insurance and Government Relations Committee and the College of Pedorthics of Canada's Ethics Committee. She also served as a private consultant to the insurance industry. Amanda strives to educate and promote the field of Pedorthics in Canada to the public, medical professionals, and insurance industry.Amanda had previously worked at Canadian Footwear & the Foot Health Centre in Winnipeg for the past 12 years practicing as a Canadian Certified Pedorthist. Amanda recently relocated to St. Catharine's and opened her practice OrthoFocus in 2017. Amanda recently rejoined Canadian Footwear/Foot Health Centre March 2020. In her spare time, Amanda enjoys watching the Blue Jays, watching curling, exercising, reading, and walking her beagle.
WINNIPEG
Laurie Dunning
Certified Footwear & Compression Hoisery Fitting Specialist
Laurie joined the Foot Health Centre team in 1996 pursuing a career as a Fitting Specialist. In May of 2000, she obtained her certification as Fitting Specialist of Compression Hosiery from Sigvaris. Laurie completed the Extra Depth University Basic Fabrication course "The Extra Depth Approach to Pedorthic Management of the Foot" in June 1998. She successfully achieved her New Balance "Procare" specialist certification in 2006. Laurie works under the direction of the Foot Health Centre's Certified Pedorthists. Specializing in complex fittings for people with diabetes and arthritis, Laurie spends much of her time filling prescriptions. If you would like to make an appointment for either compression hosiery or a shoe fit with Laurie please call 204-944-7460.
WINNIPEG
Mark San Juan
Footwear Repair & Modification Specialist
Mark joined our Canadian Footwear retail location in 2009. He began to pursue a career as a Footwear Modification Specialist in 2013. His specialties include shoe repair and modifications, providing internal support to shoes and insoles, and modifying/repairing custom made orthotics. Mark has the expertise to resole your footwear, convert your lace-up shoes to Velcro fasteners, and almost anything else you need. On top of all that Mark is also a professional Street Dancer known as Daddy GoodFunk.
WINNIPEG
Sydney MacFarlane
BSc. Exercise Science
Sydney is currently completing her certification as a Certified Pedorthist here at Canadian Footwear/FootHealth Centre. Graduating from the University of Winnipeg with a BSc. Exercise Science in 2018, she is also a fitness instructor and trainer, dancer and dance teacher. She began dancing at the age of six with Tap, and continued to train in other genres like Jazz, Contemporary, Ballet, Acrobatics, Modern, African and many other styles. She began performing with Sarasvàti Productions with Hope McIntyre from 2015-2018 for their Cabaret of Monologues and their community shows as a contemporary dancer. She also began training with Nafro under Casmiro Nhussi in Contemporary and African dance. Sydney continues to connect her knowledge of exercise physiology and dance with her training and treatments for clients.
FAQs
We have gathered the answers to many of the top asked questions regarding our Foothealth Centre and services we provide. If you have other questions, feel free to reach out to our team through our Contact Us page!
Canadian Certified Pedorthists – C. Ped (C) – are foot orthotic and orthopedic footwear experts. They are one of the few healthcare professionals trained in the assessment of lower limb anatomy and muscle and joint function. With specialized education and training in foot orthotics and footwear, Canadian Certified Pedorthists help to alleviate pain, abnormalities and debilitating conditions of the lower limbs and feet.
Canadian Certified Pedorthists help patients with a wide range of foot and lower limb problems including: Arthritis, Diabetes, Plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, Bunions and bunionettes, Shin splints, Claw toes or hammer toes, Limb length discrepancies, Sports injuries, Metatarsalgia, and other foot injuries due to accidents.
The assessment of lower limb bony alignment, movement pattern, general function of the foot, and the interaction of the foot with the rest of the body. Pedorthic Assessment includes a history taking, bony palpation, range of motion testing, gait analysis, and footwear consultation.
A custom foot orthotic is a device that is designed specifically for each individual and can be discretely inserted into the shoe for support. Custom foot orthotics serve to align the body, prevent and/or accommodate foot abnormalities, and assist with the overall function of the foot.
Used in conjunction with appropriate footwear, a foot orthotic can be effective in helping to treat a variety of foot and lower limb problems including (and not limited to):
- Heel pain
- Arch pain
- Forefoot pain
- Shin splints
- Knee pain
- Hip pain
Foot orthotics can also help address foot and lower limb pain and complications related to health conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, congenital deformities and neurological complications.
If required, all ages can benefit from a foot orthotic. From discomfort in the foot to severe problems such as diabetic foot ulcers, a foot orthotic can help a wide range of patients. A detailed assessment from one of our Canadian Certified Pedorthists can confirm if a foot orthotic will assist a patient with a particular foot, leg, or even back problem.
The observation of an individual while walking to identify unusual patterns or function resulting from abnormal lower limb or foot structure identified during the examination. Each phase of the gait cycle is analyzed for abnormal movement pattens and functions.
Over the counter insoles are a good option and starting place if you can’t afford or are not sure about custom orthotics. OTC insoles will offer good arch support for most people, however it does depend on your foot type. The style of OTC insole will depend on the footwear you are in. We carry a diverse range of OTC insoles and our expert fitters would be happy to help you.
The lifespan of a foot orthotic varies from patient to patient. The materials used to make the foot orthotic, the patient’s foot structure, levels of activity, age and physical condition all impact the orthotic’s lifespan. The lifespan of a foot orthotic should not be measured by when the the cover material wears out but by how long the orthotic meets the foot’s changing needs for support, correction and pressure redistribution. If your symptoms begin to return it is a good idea to have your orthotic reassessed to determine if modifications or a new device are necessary.
A shoe acts as a foundation for the foot and provides a stable base for the foot orthotic. Wearing appropriate footwear is imperative, as the footwear itself is an important treatment method. A foot orthotic can be rendered less effective if it is placed in inferior footwear as the shoe may work against the features of the orthotic. The foot orthotic is only as good as the shoe it goes into.