Footorthosis and Special Footwear (10 cr)

Objective

The student can describe factors affecting the functioning and movement of the lower limbs and the functional restrictions they cause, using a medical framework. The student has a command of biomechanical examination and can apply it to the design and manufacturing process of foot orthoses and special footwear. They gain the ability to consider the client’s functional capacity and individual needs in the design and implementation of an orthotic solution. The student knows the basic functional and structural elements of foot orthoses and special footwear. In the process of manufacturing an orthotic solution, they are able to utilise and apply their competence in materials, machinery and equipment and to strengthen their manual skills.

The student knows how to use traditional and new methods of manufacturing foot orthoses and special footwear. Under supervision, the student gains experience in user-oriented evaluation of orthotics and in the manufacturing and fitting of products, and guides and teaches the client to use them. The student compares the relation between the client’s initial functional capacity and the end product using a professional perspective. The student understands the cost structure of orthotic solutions.

Content

• User-oriented needs assessment and planning of an orthotic solution
• Biomechanical examination and evaluation
• Impairment of functional capacity due to illness, injury or a development delay
• Advising and guiding clients
• Various foot orthoses and their impact on functional capacity
• Special footwear and its impact on functional capacity
• Manufacturing of a foot orthosis – manual skills
• Alterations to special footwear and their planning and implementation
• Materials and components and factors affecting their selection
• Cost structure of an orthotic solution
• Digital modelling and manufacturing processes
• Fitting of orthotic solutions and teaching the clients how to use them

The course deals with the principles of sustainability, which are applied in the selection of materials, taking into consideration their recyclability, durability and ethical production, as well as in the utilisation of innovations and technology, while promoting social responsibility in health care.

Location and time

Myllypuro Campus 18.08.- 22.12.2025

Materials

Jalat ja terveys; Liukkonen, Irmeli ; Saarikoski, Riitta ; Ahonen, Jarmo, Duodecim 2011
Atlas of orthosis and assistive devices

Lecture material

Other material to be reported separately

Teaching methods

Lecture
Practical exercises
Customer contacts
Written assignments
on-line studies
Exam

Employer connections

HyMy-village
Workshop on Campus.
Klaveness ja Respecta

Exam schedules

As schedule shows.
Content of the exam (will be shown during the course):
- The content of the theory teaching and the shared/assigned written material.
- Things taught during practical exercises.

Student workload

10 credit x 27h=270h

Further information

The teacher's assignments and MATERIALS are works of authorship under the Copyright Act (404/61), to which the teacher holds the copyright. The assignments AND MATERIALS may not be used for any purpose other than your own studies. Their public distribution is only allowed with the permission of the teacher.

Evaluation scale

0-5

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE BASE
- Student can search for knowledge resourcefully utilizing sources of the field and uses the knowledge base of the field
- Student is familiar with the knowledge base and core components of the profession

PROFESSIONAL SKILLS AND ACTIONS
- Student has adequate professional skills to work in the profession
- Student can work in a client-oriented way
- Student solves professional tasks and problems

ETHICS, COOPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT
- Student works safely and in accordance with the ethical principles of the field
- Student displays competence benefiting groups or projects
- Student is able to evaluate personal strengths and weaknesses and development needs

Assessment criteria, good (3)

PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE BASE
- Student searches for knowledge and justifies the use of sources
- Student uses the professional knowledge base consistently
- Student justifies actions by means of evidencebased knowledge

PROFESSIONAL SKILLS AND ACTIONS
- Student applies professional skills to different situations
- Student can act responsibly and in a clientoriented way
- Student can work in various tasks in diverse operating environments

ETHICS, COOPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT
- Student justifies professional activities according to the ethical principles of the field and evaluates the safety of these activities
- Student can work in work groups and projects in a goal-oriented way
- Student develops oneself

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE BASE
- Student applies the professional knowledge base fluently and in a versatile way
- Student evaluates and uses evidence-based knowledge

PROFESSIONAL SKILLS AND ACTIONS
- Student applies professional skills in different situations and can evaluate the results of these actions
- Student can act responsibly and in a clientoriented way
- Student applies alternative solutions to professional decision-making

ETHICS, COOPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT
- Student evaluates professional activities and safety according to the ethical principles of the field
- Student can work in different groups and projects with persons with diverse cultural backgrounds
- Student develops the work community and oneself

Assessment criteria, approved/failed

PASS: Same as satisfactory (see above)

Failed

PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE BASE
- Student does not know or know how to use the concepts of the profession adequately
- Student uses the professional knowledge base one-sidedly

PROFESSIONAL SKILLS AND ACTIONS
- Student does not have the required professional knowledge or skills, and the level of professional competence proves inadequate
- Student does not reach the level of client

ETHICS, COOPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT
- Student does not consider safety or ethical principles of the field sufficiently
- Student does not show adequate readiness to develop oneself or to participate

Assessment methods and criteria

Exam 50%
Learning diary / written documents 30%
Fabricated product 20%

Qualifications

Basic Medical Studies in the Rehabilitation Sector, Basics of Functional Ability Evaluation and Internship 1 must be marked as completed.

Further information

Evaluation: Intermediate level

Objective

The student can describe factors affecting the functioning and movement of the lower limbs and the functional restrictions they cause, using a medical framework. The student has a command of biomechanical examination and can apply it to the design and manufacturing process of foot orthoses and special footwear. They gain the ability to consider the client’s functional capacity and individual needs in the design and implementation of an orthotic solution. The student knows the basic functional and structural elements of foot orthoses and special footwear. In the process of manufacturing an orthotic solution, they are able to utilise and apply their competence in materials, machinery and equipment and to strengthen their manual skills.

The student knows how to use traditional and new methods of manufacturing foot orthoses and special footwear. Under supervision, the student gains experience in user-oriented evaluation of orthotics and in the manufacturing and fitting of products, and guides and teaches the client to use them. The student compares the relation between the client’s initial functional capacity and the end product using a professional perspective. The student understands the cost structure of orthotic solutions.

Content

• User-oriented needs assessment and planning of an orthotic solution
• Biomechanical examination and evaluation
• Impairment of functional capacity due to illness, injury or a development delay
• Advising and guiding clients
• Various foot orthoses and their impact on functional capacity
• Special footwear and its impact on functional capacity
• Manufacturing of a foot orthosis – manual skills
• Alterations to special footwear and their planning and implementation
• Materials and components and factors affecting their selection
• Cost structure of an orthotic solution
• Digital modelling and manufacturing processes
• Fitting of orthotic solutions and teaching the clients how to use them

The course deals with the principles of sustainability, which are applied in the selection of materials, taking into consideration their recyclability, durability and ethical production, as well as in the utilisation of innovations and technology, while promoting social responsibility in health care.

Further information

Evaluation: Intermediate level

Qualifications

Basic Medical Studies in the Rehabilitation Sector, Basics of Functional Ability Evaluation and Internship 1 must be marked as completed.