Doctor Shadows an ORTHOTIST: Day in the Life

Join me as a I shadow Wendy, a resident orthotist for the day! You'll see the workshop, learn about foot orthotics, scoliosis braces, AFOs (ankle foot orthoses), HKAFO (hip knee ankle foot orthoses) and even corrective helmets for babies!
PLUS I actually get an assessment of my feet and have orthotics casted on film!
HUGE THANK YOU to Wendy, the entire prosthetics and orthotics department for collaborating on this video!! I had such an incredible day and now I know what goes into creating custom orthotics!
Correction: Emma is a university student, working in an assistive role, not a registered technician as labeled in the video.
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🙋‍♀️ Let’s stay connected!
Instagram: Violin.MD
Facebook: @realviolinmd
Twitter: Violin_MD
Mail: PO Box 1, 119 Spadina Ave, Toronto ON, Canada, M5T2T2
See you in the next video!
~ Siobhan (Violin MD) ~
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📸 Image Credits:
Scoliosis: Blausen.com staff (2014). "Medical gallery of Blausen Medical 2014". WikiJournal of Medicine 1 (2). DOI:10.15347/wjm/2014.010. ISSN 2002-4436
Scoliosis: By Weiss HR - Weiss HR. Scoliosis 2007, 2:19. PMID: 18163917. doi:10.1186/1748-7161-2-19., CC BY 2.0
Scoliosis x-ray: Case courtesy of Dr Aditya Shetty, "radiopaedia.or..."
Normal x-ray: Case courtesy of Assoc Prof Frank Gaillard, "radiopaedia.or..."
Ultrasound spina bifida by Wolfgang Moroder “commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Spina_bifida_lombare_sagittale.theora.ogv?embedplayer=yes" width="638" height="480"

[@akschauer]

Can you do a short follow-up when you get your foot orthotics? I would love to hear your thoughts on how they affect your walking and if your ankles feel better after having them for a while. You do so much walking around the hospital, my guess is that you'll notice a difference just in everyday life. I loved watching the process of how they are made.

[@ViolinMD]

Great suggestion - thanks!

[@lf206]

Yes please! I’d love to see your finished orthotics after seeing how they’re made.🙂 Also, I’m sure you got this totally covered, and it feels a little silly to ask this of a rheumatologist- but: there’s no way your joint pain hiking is anything more than structural + activity, right? No chance of anything like a tick borne illness causing joint issues... ok probably not. Sorry, I live with chronic symptoms from Lyme diagnosed too late, so it’s kinda my soapbox.

[@lf206]

Not asking you to share your health info of course, just wanted to mention. Love your videos as always!

[@j.johnston760]

Unfortunately this was a bust for me as orthotics and orthotic devices are very uninteresting to me when it comes for my passion for medicine.

[@ChichiNaka]

I wish I had half the joy Siobhan clearly has every day

[@dearlyintrovert]

At first I thought this said “Shadowing an Orthodontist” and I was like, “Well this is different…” 😂

[@RedRoseSeptember22]

Same lol.

[@paulranalli3367]

I'd argue shadowing an orthotist is more different, we're such a small field, especially here in Australia

[@NoName-pe5sx]

Me too lol

[@introvertedbandnerd3289]

Yeah, I was slightly confused at first, lol

[@wondergirl2642]

Same and I was like why is she holding a boot thing?

[@TheWelshonesVideos]

I was born with Cerebral Palsy, have been wearing AFO’s since I could walk. Thank you for showing the process. I went to a specialist laboratory to correct my gait (gait lab). Thank you for sharing the process.

[@gabrielbeltran6134]

I have it too. I ended up going to physical therapy for 10 years. I started walking at 8

[@KaylaPearlCPNinja]

I also have been wearing AFOs since I was able to walk as well. I have spastic hemiplegia cerebral palsy. I see an orthotist for mine as the AFOs I needed had to be articulated because of having foot drop. I started walking at the age of 4.

[@ViolinMD]

Thank you for sharing - i'm so glad you found the process interesting, especially having such personal experience with AFOs!

[@meganedwards1039]

I also have CP, I wore AFOs from the age of 2 and 1/2 or 3 quit wearing them all together at 16. I remember when I couldn't even choose a color. Most of my AFOs were white.

[@LivingwithHydrocephalus]

I have CP as well, I wore one until I was about 12, then my dr did surgery so I wouldn’t have to wear it and now they are trying to get me back in one! NO THANK U!!!!!!

[@kurtcraig3421]

that was so interesting. it shows the wider veriety of job skills needed.

[@panini4200]

Thank you for bringing more light to the field! I'm a resident orthotist prosthetist at the moment and just took my first written boards. It's a very fun job!

[@m1t2a1]

Where did you take the course?

[@Adam1984_]

As someone with Spina Bifida and Scoliosis, who has worn several of the types of braces shown in this video, it was really cool to see you talk about them!

[@StephlovesJesusandCountryMusic]

Same! I have both. I am currently waiting on my new set of leg braces but taking longer then expected to manufacture

[@koolkatcrafts2296]

Same! As someone who has had scoliosis for nine years, it was so interesting to see how my back braces were made

[@karindwarswaard1507]

I also have spina bifida and scoliosis.

[@keric3673]

I have Spina Bifida too (but not scoliosis) my eyes popped open when she specifically mentioned SB

[@GirlOnWheelsNat]

I also have both! Was also born with an uneven pelvis

[@DoctorAzmain]

This is SO COOL! When I’ve seen orthotists at work on my orthopaedics rotation in med school, the craft and skill behind it amaze me! Thank you for making these life-changing devices for patients! 😊

[@emagoon6859]

I enjoy this series so much!!!! So interesting to learn about different medical professionals with your trademark respect and curiosity, Siobhan!

[@cristinadiaz9756]

My daughter gets her new set of AFO’s this week. She’s worn them since 3 months old. From smo’s to AFO’s and she loves her new pattern. Unicorns ice cream and donuts 🥰. I love seeing the process.

[@ViolinMD]

awww that sounds like the cutest pattern!! adorable!! 🥰

[@jonathonjennings2592]

Really wait a minute doesn't she have CJS

[@venessachristian9973]

@@ViolinMD could you shadow a social worker or physcatrist

[@missywoford1809]

Those sound so cute and pretty! What a great choice!

[@missheniki]

So fascinating! My sister wore a scoliosis brace for 3 years, but ended up having corrective surgery. It was so tough on her; 23 hours per day of wear in grades 7-9. I wish it had worked for her as the surgery is no joke. I'm glad that there are professionals like Wendy and her colleagues out there making life better for so many people! Thanks for sharing this, Siobhan. I would love to see more about the allied health professionals -- dentists in hospital, MAiD workers, midwives, RDs. It's really very interesting.

[@analogueoverdigital929]

As an ortho and prosthetic tech, i loved this video. My job doesn't pay super well, but helping people, many of whom are vets, is super rewarding and outweighs everything else. Xoxox. ❤❤

[@jakkbatt4711]

I'm an apprentice and I honestly love this career, making things by hand, helping people, no stress or bs, and generally attracts great ppl

[@pandagirl4167]

My toddler is getting a pair next week that go just above his ankle for more support. This is actually a bit comforting knowing how it's made. Thanks for the video!!

[@ViolinMD]

I'm so glad to hear that - best of luck with the upcoming fitting!

[@keric3673]

I hope the fitting went well! I wore AFOs to right below my knees from toddler to 11 years old because of Spina Bifida.

[@sarahfoster9178]

I’m a resident orthotist in the States right now. Thank you for using your platform to educate about this field! It’s super cool to see!

[@less4650]

I’m doing my pre reqs for orthotic technician, any advice for me? Thank you!

[@txtingirl1]

I wore an AFO for most of my childhood (tibial dysplasia from neurofibromatosis) and I got really close with my orthotist over the years! I loved getting to pick a new pattern or picture (although there were definitely fewer choices 15 years ago...) and remember being taken back into the workshop area to see how it was done. Super cool video!

[@RandyMullis1]

How is it that I've never thought about people who specialize in orthotics?! So interesting! Thank you, Siobahn!

[@ViolinMD]

So true, i think it's an overlooked specialty with so much value to add!

[@SolemnnSolace]

My stepdad was a wheelchair specialist in Belgium. During a come along in the company he worked at, I always found it super fascinating how they made so many different orthotics and how it could change someone's life. 6 years later, and I officially have my bachelor degree in orthopedics. Now I am the one changing people's lives with orthotics and prosthetics.

[@less4650]

@@SolemnnSolace congrats! I hope to be there one day!

[@poppyseed2110]

I have always wonder how these are actually fitted to the patients. I have been helping my students to wear these, It’s cool to see how different afo are made! Love these “shadowing” series! Keep up the great work!

[@jaybig360]

My daughter and I been watching since you had 15 thousand followers I’m extremely proud and happy of what you have done. You still inspire my daughter thank you be safe 😊🙏🏽

[@Ednagirl1999]

I'm in my last year of studying before becoming an orthotist and I think you have covered it pretty well! I'm definitely going to show this video if someone asks what I do!😊

[@amsterstars0406]

My daughter has Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita. She wears AFOs, has a cranial helmet, and will be getting elbow/hand bracing soon. I enjoyed seeing the process, cause she will be living in bracing. I hope orthotists know how much people like us love and appreciate them. ♡♡♡

[@hannachadlee7082]

When I was 15 I had two stress fractures in my lumbar spine and I had to wear a back brace for a year. After watching through this video I was blown away at how much goes into creating one of these braces/orthotics! Very interesting!

[@olingecko]

This was so cool! As an engineer, I've seen some of those fabrication processes, but not for medical devices. I would love for you to do a part 2 where you shadow a prosthetist.

[@SolemnnSolace]

As a orthotist and a prothésist myself, I can say that they are not that different. You still take a plaster mold and just do a lamination after the plaster correction. The hardest part of prosthetics is choosing the right parts and linking them up correctly!

[@analogueoverdigital929]

​@SolemnnSolace exactly. Lock system or straps... we use the bulldog lock types for most.. AKs are the toughest and usually get the strap type. BKs can choose either or...

[@mandiangumd]

I love this shadowing series! It really shines light on very underrepresented careers that all have a huge affect on patient care. Keep up the good work doctor😊

[@hannadant138]

I was born with Spina Bifida and have always wondered how this whole process worked since I have warn AFO's my whole life. This was very interesting to watch

[@kelleyberk5472]

As a current orthotics and prosthetics resident, I LOVE THIS!!! My masters thesis is on interdisciplinary healthcare teams and this just proves how important the collaboration and education of other professions is!!! THANK YOU FOR THIS ❤️❤️

[@jakkbatt4711]

So true I've noticed orthotics and prosthetics are very team oriented

[@anoukferwerda9699]

I had an AFO where I could still move my ankles. It helped me a lot, psychically but also mentally. It’s really nice to see the process

[@jaxmd35]

I love videos like this, the medical field is so vast I love seeing all the different specialties I didn’t even know existed

[@starforge5663]

I’m going to be honest here, I never really thought or knew much about braces until now, also I love it that when Siobhan said that patients could choose which patters they wanted in their own braces!! That is a delightful surprise!! I also really liked it when Siobhan got to make a brace herself, that was awesome!!! (Just to be clear, I’m not talking about when she got casted for a brace), as one final mention I thought is was extremely cool 😎 to see that for the metal supports for a brace that they use static electricity ⚡️ to essentially ZAP! ⚡️the color into it!! That part made my jaw drop!!! Anyway to anyone who just to happens to read this to the end, thank you for reading and have a absolutely wonderful day or night, depending on when you read this comment!! 😎

[@MsStina84]

I've had anything from jeans pattern to neon green

[@keric3673]

I wore AFOs as a kid and choosing the pattern made the appointment not as dreadful.

[@NandhiniSureshRao]

watching her doing jobs just making me to be a doctor in future.........dont stop making videos really love this!!!!!!!!

[@aviator1017]

Thank you for being there to help people during this hard time with covid and I don’t know how you also have the time to record but are amazing.

[@mahnoor6357]

I wasn't as interested in ortho before but after seeing this , it looks really interesting. Thank you for making these videos it really helps!

[@maru_chan90]

That was (as always) so interesting and well explained! The new hairstyle looks great too ;)

[@ViolinMD]

Thanks Maru!

[@sherrydawson6253]

Wow this was awesome! I had no idea what all went into makeing one.

[@liehere]

She was such a natural on camera 🤗!! My son had a helmet, they were so precise when making it 💚

[@LifeofMorag]

This was absolutely fascinating. An area of medicine I knew nothing about at all. I really enjoy your 'day with...' series. As a patient under a number of different specialties, I think it's great to see doctors interested in improving the interconnectivity of medicine

[@artisticanna5275]

This truly is an art form 💜

[@Teefs]

Thank you for sharing this. I have adhesive arachnoiditis, severe left foot drop and incomplete paralysis. I wear an AFO on my left foot to help with walking. It has changed my life. I am beyond grateful for everyone who does this work, willing to improve the lives of people like me and so many others. ❤️

[@MARINA-ze1fe]

I have scoliosis and ive had 2 back braces. It's so cool to see how theyre actually made!

[@ashikihsan1946]

Thank you very much Dr. Siobhan. This is an important video of you meeting with an Orthotist about how to make legs for the disabled patients and babies who have walking difficulties. Siobhan I also have a walking difficulty when I have motor neurone disease and I can't walk properly with footwears or shoes specially walking outside. The helmets for children are so amazing Siobhan

[@Pink_Aqua]

Fantastic video! Also, you cut your hair!! It looks sooo good!

[@ViolinMD]

Thanks Sarah! Feels like such a change and I love it!

[@mckinleyw.3262]

As someone who used afos this is so cool to see how they make the hinge part. I gave had at least 10 afos. Wore them for 14 years of my life and they usually lasted 1 year ish.

[@majafartek5480]

I had worn 5 scoliosis braces. That was about 10 years ago and it's amazing how the technology has advanced in the mean time! Thank you for spreading awareness, Siobhan, I always love how educational and real are your videos. :)

[@rohdreamer]

This is so interesting!!! Thanks for bringing us too😄😍

[@LaurenIHalford]

Loving this series! It's so interesting and you are such a wonderful storyteller.

[@BeckaEmma1980]

Wendy is my son's orthodist!! She is going to be casting him next week!!!

[@SnoopyRN]

From age 1 or so until 38, I wore a KAFO brace. My right leg was shorter than left by 2”. I was also born without a tibia. At 38, I had my leg amputated below know and now wear a prosthetic with Snoopy design as seen in my profile pic.

[@michaelrosati164]

I have scoliosis and I had my surgery about 1 year ago, it was so cool to see the brace they were. Talking about but because they said how much they wanted me to wear it we went with surgery.

[@TheMindfulNess]

This is so awesome! I love that you're showing the world the rest of the healthcare team! If you ever have the time/ability/interest, shadowing a Social Worker would be neat too!

[@ViolinMD]

Absolutely - in the process of organizing something with social work as we speak!

[@TechGirl84]

This video was so cool! I’ve dealt with orthotics quite a bit over the course of my life. I was born with Spina Bifida, so it was so cool to hear one of the cases was a boy with Spina Bifida. 😊 Also, this was a timely video, because October is Spina Bifida Awareness Month. 😊

[@Johnsonkaylee]

So cool to see the behind the scenes of this. I’ve been on the receiving end of afo’s and kafo’s due to spina bifida as well. October is actually spina bifida awareness month! Great video.

[@Johnsonkaylee]

I also have had to wear a back brace for scoliosis before. Didn’t have it too bad though

[@KaylaPearlCPNinja]

I wear an articulated AFO on my left leg for foot drop caused by having spastic hemiplegia cerebral palsy. It’s really cool that we get a behind the scenes look at how our different types of braces are made.

[@sailboatrn7372]

So cool!! Know about orthotics/prosthetics but never knew how they were made!! Thanks for showing this!!! Excellent!!

[@zacharyleduc7255]

Keep going with this series! It’s so great!! :)

[@meridoughten9425]

LOVED this video!! What a fastinating specialty!

[@5littlearrows168]

Thank you for sharing your experiences as a doctor! It's so cool to watch!! :)

[@missywoford1809]

I LOVE that you can get all sorts of colors and patterns! Awesome for kids, and kids at heart. As an almost 40 year old "kid", I would definitely join the actual kiddos in choosing something bright and fun!

[@DavidJNorris]

I wanted to be a orthotist when I left school. But my school Guidance Counsellor didn't know what college course to take to become one. Unfortunately this was was when the internet was becoming popular and there wasn't a lot of information on the web. And watching this my mind still hasn't changed. It's a great job.

[@jakkbatt4711]

You can study independently, and if you're good with your hands like enjoy art and crafting they're more likely to look your way, the book I got is human locomotion

[@natalieimbeau7287]

I have Spina Bifida and have been wearing AFO's almost my whole life (I am 25 now). So cool to see a behind-the-scenes look at how they are made and the process of what happens before they get to me! Thanks for making this video, Siobhan!

[@Lucy_Lou126]

This is so cool! I wear a TLSO for my spine (I have moderate scoliosis and spondylolythesis that causes some pain and also caused the curve) It’s really cool to see how it was made (although I wasn’t casted- I had a scan done!)! Orthotists are really important-I’m so grateful for the work mine has done to keep my spine straight and to keep me from being in pain like I was before, although I can’t wait to get rid of my brace… 😂 Thanks for showing us how it all works!

[@updown4455]

I NEVER miss any of your vids. Very cool and informative. Thank you !!

[@Lizzy43645]

This was AMAZING!!!! Thanks Siobhan!!!

[@marianpizeno8511]

This was a really cool video to watch! These videos you create will inspire so many to go into fields like these! Thank you for shining some light on things like this!

[@maddieandelismom]

As a mom to a cerebral palsy child, it was awesome watching the behind the scenes of the AFOs and such. He’s had tons over the years and it was so awesome to watch!

[@BRACE_The_Ace]

I have moderate Cerebral Palsy & have worn AFO's for as long as I can remember as a kid. The casting is always my favorite part because of the worm water. Takes a few days to break the new ones in.

[@enchantedRightHook]

Yay I know some of these handsome mugs, great content & I appreciate seeing what she has told me throughout her education and training l, being able to connect a little. Loved this

[@scherre]

I loved this insight into a less well known part of healthcare! I considered Orthotics and Prosthetics as a career option at one point but I ended up taking a different path in life. I became interested in it throughout the process of getting measured and fitted for the Milwaukee Brace that I wore as a teenager. I have kyphosis due to Scheuermann's Disease. Even though it was definitely not fun the brace made a big difference and while I do still have some problems with my back, I have never needed surgery which is probably partly because of the brace. When I got mine (about 25 years ago) it was a much thicker looking plastic material and there were definitely no fun patterns to choose from! So it's interesting to see how new material technologies have changed the options for orthotic users. The brace shown here looks like it would be a lot lighter and cooler to wear which hopefully makes it easier on the kids who need them. Thanks for this video :)

[@dianaradevski6729]

As an Orthotist myself I LOVE this video! No one really knows what we do so this was a great insight! :)

[@sofiasousapires]

I love this series shadowing a different profession! So cool that you got evaluated and got a custom orthotic!

[@margaretmccarthy9761]

Great video Siobhan. Really interesting and informative. Thank you.

[@tracycriswell3037]

My daughter was diagnosed after her 13th birthday with scoliosis. She went through 3 braces due to growth. We found out that her grandfather had it too, but never mentioned it to my husband, his only child. Then three months prior to her 15th birthday she ended up with a spinal fusion (2 titanium rods and 22 screws). Due to this surgery, she is dealing with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS). She is now a senior in high school with POTS, migraine headaches, vertigo, autoimmune disorder, floating joints (knee and hips), etc.

[@juvialockser2587]

Love this series! Can I add another profession (audiologist) to your list? Thank You for the videos❤️

[@jodihyde-parker9220]

Wow! That was really interesting. Thank you Siobhan!

[@jacquelynlane7905]

This is so neat to watch! I love all of the personalized decorative options. Thanks so much for sharing!

[@Athandatu]

Woah! Fascinating! I had no idea so much was involved.

[@tyrawoodruff9835]

Your voice is just so soothing!

[@europhile2658]

I had never even heard of this department before, very educational

[@sharonmills1013]

I love that you have these opportunities as part of your residency to see what all the other professionals do-great experience!

[@thatcringyplaneguy]

This is so cool I myself have foot orthotics so this is so awesome

[@thatcringyplaneguy]

And I also have scoliosis too so very interesting

[@logan.rayn15]

This is so amazing! My friend has orthotics and it is so cool to see how these are made.!

[@karenleroy499]

This was great! It is nice to learn how these are made.

[@jamiemiesler322]

This may be my favorite video you’ve done. Maybe because I work in the dental field & we do a lot of same(ish) types of impressions etc but on a much smaller scale. Very interesting. Thank you!

[@normabonaiuto1512]

I absolutely love watching you! I worked in orthopedic surgery for 38 years and we used many of the orthotics/braces that you showed. Great education for the general public.

[@leandrasmith825]

Your video came up on my recommended videos. Now I am binge watching them all as I get over Covid and rest. I am subscribed! I love you, thank you for sharing your life. You and Mark make the world a better place xx

[@sashamintz3181]

this video was awesome! also, i hadnt noticed siobhan’s haircut yet i love it!!

[@gocubs46304]

at this point I would recognize you over any celebrity. love the vids.

[@brstrangleman1]

I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your videos, especially considering how busy I’m sure you are. I’m absolutely addicted 😊 I always learn something new and fascinating

[@brookemacdonald4069]

I have had Custom foot orthotics for years due to an accessory navicular bone I have in both feet and need surgery to fix my feet but can’t get on the wait list. It’s cool to see these people work and all their knowledge!

[@redpandacookies6538]

Please do ‘shadowing an occupational therapist’ as a budding occupational therapist, this would be really helpful Loved the video 😀

[@cooper6735]

yes please

[@theinstabookworm6428]

I have spina bifida and wore AFOs for years but never got to see how they were made past the casting stage. So cool!

[@ceeq3997]

whoa i had absolutely no idea this even existed! i really thought orthotics were just stuffing some insoles in people's shoes. didn't realize how complex and creative the whole process is. super cool!! thank you! 😍🤩😍

[@ulligruber1344]

Great series. Thanks to Wendy and the whole Orthotics team. You can tell they love their job and they like helping people in need. 😊👍

[@stephy1517]

This was such a cool video! Thanks for sharing!

[@danielle9074]

I have cerebral palsy and used AFOs when I was a little kid.. It was awesome to see how they are made. Thanks!

[@danianderin]

I have Spina Bifida and have worn AFOs since I was a kid. Ive now switched to wearing KAFOs with a straight locking hinge. This was really interesting to watch!

[@amandav9338]

You should make a video of you shadowing a Recreation Therapist! Would be a cool way to shed light on a field that is often forgotten about!

[@Nobodysbby]

So cool to get to see this wow!

[@ax.olotls]

I have Spina Bifida and I used to wear HKAFOs when I was little and as I got older, I eventually moved down to only needing AFOs. I used to hate my HKAFOs because the ones I had used to lock at random times and I fell constantly. I was so happy when I finally was strong enough to not need them anymore

[@denkamenev3558]

I'm loving this series of shadowing different workers in the health field! I would even love to see more clinic-based health professionals like an optometrist or dentist!

[@nicolastevenson189]

So interesting. My sister has ED and as she was younger she had to get a lower body cast to reline her lips and feet and she used to get specials shoes made. Always loved to know how they are made. Now she’s 37 she still has all of the items Made from when she was a baby. ED isn’t known very well in Scotland. My sisters feet walk in the way and her joints are super flexible. She can still bend her fingers right back! as she’s getting older her joints are slowly getting harder. thanks for this video loved every moment of it x take care and stay safe love from Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@stephanieoregan]

Wow! I had no idea there was soooo much behind the scenes!

[@builtontherockhomestead9390]

Years ago my back ligaments got stretched out or something. I was just in pain and sent to an orthotist. He determined all I needed was a corset. He had a huge catalog of corsets and together we picked one out. Synthetic fabrics tend to give me rashes so I wanted an all cotton corset. He ordered it and once it arrived I returned. He had it so tight on me I couldn't breath, so I loosened it. Took months but eventually I no longer needed to wear it. Still have it in storage. Wearing that thing made me understand how hard it was for women who wore corsets as normal wear. I really couldn't get much oxygen in my lungs the first day I wore it.