010-4557755
Every treatment at Podotherapie Rotterdam begins with a thorough examination of the entire kinetic chain. We don't just look at your feet, but also at your ankles, knees, hips and back. Only once we understand the cause of your complaints do we draw up a treatment plan. Below you will find an overview of all our treatment options.
Podiatric insoles, also known as custom orthotic insoles, are the podiatrist's most important treatment tool. Unlike off-the-shelf insoles that you can buy in shops or at the pharmacy, podiatric insoles are made entirely to measure based on your individual foot position, gait pattern and complaints. Off-the-shelf insoles offer only generic support and are not tailored to your specific situation. They can even worsen complaints if they don't suit your foot type.
The manufacturing process of orthotic insoles at Podotherapie Rotterdam always begins with a comprehensive gait analysis. We observe how you walk, how your feet roll and how your knees and hips move. We then make a plaster cast or 3D scan of your feet to capture the exact contours. Based on these data, our podiatrist builds the insole using various materials that provide precisely the right correction and support. After delivery of the insoles, a follow-up appointment is always scheduled to evaluate whether the insoles are functioning well and to make adjustments if needed.
Custom orthotic insoles from Rotterdam are used for a wide range of complaints: fallen arches, heel spurs, plantar fasciitis, knee complaints, hip complaints, back pain, leg length discrepancy, hallux valgus and sports-related injuries. The insoles correct the foot's position, distribute pressure evenly and ensure that the entire kinetic chain is brought back into balance.
Podiatric insoles are covered by basic health insurance. You do not need a referral from your GP. The coverage applies to a maximum of two pairs of insoles per year, including the examination and follow-up appointments. Additional coverage for special sports insoles or modifications may be available through supplementary insurance.
Would you like custom orthotic insoles in Rotterdam? Book an appointment for a no-obligation examination.
Silicone orthoses are custom-made toe supports that are manufactured directly on the foot. They are used for toe alignment issues such as hallux valgus (a crooked big toe), hammer toes, claw toes and overlapping toes. Silicone orthoses also provide effective relief for callus formation, corns and pressure points between the toes.
With hallux valgus, the big toe deviates towards the other toes, creating a painful bump on the inside of the foot. A silicone orthosis repositions the toe into a better alignment and reduces pressure on the bump. For hammer toes and claw toes, the orthoses protect the top of the toes from friction inside the shoe and prevent corn formation.
The advantage of silicone orthoses is that they are moulded precisely to your foot. The podiatrist applies liquid silicone around the toe and shapes it as it sets. This creates a perfect fit that is comfortable to wear in your shoe. The orthoses are washable, durable and last on average one to two years.
Suffering from a crooked big toe or painful hammer toes? Get in touch for an assessment and treatment with silicone orthoses.
Medical taping is a treatment technique in which elastic tape is applied to the skin in a specific manner to support muscles, joints and tendons. The tape is waterproof and typically stays in place for three to five days. At Podotherapie Rotterdam, medical taping is used as a temporary solution to relieve acute complaints, as well as a complement to other treatments.
The applications are wide-ranging: for heel spurs and plantar fasciitis, the tape relieves the plantar fascia; for a sprained ankle, the tape stabilises the joint; for shin splints, the tape reduces traction on the periosteum; and for Achilles tendon complaints, the tape supports the tendon during movement. Taping can also be used for hallux valgus to temporarily correct toe alignment.
The difference from structural treatments such as orthotic insoles is that medical taping provides a temporary solution. The tape works as long as it is on the skin and must be replaced regularly. We often use taping in the acute phase of a complaint, as a diagnostic tool to test which correction works best, or as a bridge while orthotic insoles are being made.
Do you have acute pain complaints? Book an appointment. We can often apply tape on the same day.
Manual podiatry is a hands-on treatment technique aimed at mobilising stiff joints in the foot, ankle and knee. The foot contains 26 bones and dozens of joints, all of which require specific mobility for healthy gait function. If one or more joints are restricted in their movement, the foot's roll-off changes and compensatory movements develop that lead to complaints.
In manual podiatry, the podiatrist applies targeted, short manipulations to the affected joint to restore normal mobility. This is supplemented with mobilisation techniques and stretching exercises. The treatment is generally not painful; you may feel brief pressure or hear a cracking sound, similar to cracking your knuckles.
Manual podiatry is often combined with orthotic insoles. The insoles maintain the improved joint position, while manual therapy increases mobility. This combination delivers the best results for many patients, particularly for stiff feet, forefoot arthrosis, Morton's neuroma and limited ankle mobility following an injury.
Do you have stiff feet or limited ankle mobility? Schedule an appointment for a manual examination.
Fascia, also known as connective tissue, is a network of thin, tough tissue that envelops and connects muscles, tendons, bones and organs. Healthy fascia are supple and allow muscles and tendons to glide freely past each other. Due to overuse, inactivity, injuries or chronic tension, fascia can become adhered and thickened. This restricts mobility and causes pain.
Fascia therapy at Podotherapie Rotterdam focuses primarily on the connective tissue in the sole of the foot (the plantar fascia), the calves, the Achilles tendon and the lower leg. In cases of heel spurs and plantar fascia complaints, the plantar fascia is often thickened and adhered. Through specific pressure techniques, instrument-assisted techniques and stretching exercises, we release these adhesions and restore the suppleness of the tissue.
The effect of fascia therapy is cumulative: after each treatment, tissue circulation improves and stiffness decreases. Most patients notice a clear improvement after two to four treatments. We often combine fascia therapy with orthotic insoles and medical taping for a comprehensive treatment result.
Suffering from a stiff sole or chronic heel spur complaints? Get in touch and ask about fascia therapy.
Felt techniques are a quick and effective way to temporarily support or offload the foot. The podiatrist applies specially shaped felt directly to the foot or inside the shoe to reduce pressure points, support the arch or relieve painful areas. Felt is softer than an orthotic insole and provides immediate relief for acute complaints.
We often use felt techniques as a diagnostic tool. Before manufacturing orthotic insoles, we test with felt which correction has the best effect. By wearing the felt for several days and evaluating the response, we can calibrate the insoles more precisely. For patients who need quick relief, for example with acute metatarsalgia or pressure points caused by rheumatic foot deformities, felt techniques offer an immediate solution.
The felt is self-adhesive and typically stays on the foot for two to five days. It is not suitable as a permanent solution, but bridges the period until orthotic insoles are ready or provides short-term treatment for temporary complaints.
Do you have acute pressure complaints? Book an appointment. We can provide immediate relief with felt techniques.
Podotherapie Rotterdam is an official partner of SMC Sparta Rotterdam and offers specialised sports podiatry for elite and recreational athletes. Every Monday there is a dedicated sports podiatry consultation at our practice, where you can come for sports-related foot, ankle and lower leg complaints.
Our sports podiatrist Maurice van Houten has years of experience treating athletes across various disciplines: running, football, field hockey, tennis, dance and athletics. Each sport places unique demands on the feet. A runner needs different correction than a footballer or dancer. That is why we make sports insoles that are specifically tailored to your sport, your footwear and your complaints.
The sports podiatric examination includes a comprehensive gait analysis, strength measurements and movement analysis. For runners, we analyse the gait pattern on a treadmill; for footballers, we examine stability during changes of direction and kicking movements. Based on this, we produce thin, lightweight sports insoles that fit optimally in your sports shoes without disturbing ball feel.
In addition to orthotic insoles, we use medical taping, manual podiatry and fascia therapy to treat sports injuries quickly and effectively. Whether it concerns shin splints, heel spurs, Achilles tendon complaints, ankle injuries or forefoot pain, we help you get back on the field, the track or the dance floor.
Would you like an appointment at the sports podiatry consultation? Get in touch or call 010-4557755 for the Monday consultation.
A child's foot is fundamentally different from an adult foot. Until approximately the age of six, the foot is still developing: the bone structure is largely cartilage, the arch has not yet fully formed and the muscles and ligaments are still supple. What would be an abnormality in an adult can be a normal part of development in a child. This is precisely why specialised knowledge of the child's foot is essential.
As a parent, you can watch for the following signs: your child trips noticeably often, complains of tired or painful legs, walks with feet turned inward or outward, has growing pains that don't go away, doesn't want to walk or play sports, or has a noticeable gait pattern. Uneven shoe wear can also be a reason for a podiatric examination.
Our pediatric podiatrist Lilianne van Houten specialises in the diagnosis and treatment of foot complaints in children. With a child-friendly approach, she examines foot position, gait pattern and overall motor development. Treatment usually consists of light corrective insoles that support natural development without over-correcting, supplemented with exercises where needed.
Results in children are often surprisingly quick: 85% of the children we treat are pain-free within a few weeks and walk noticeably better. Early treatment prevents small deviations from developing into structural problems later in life.
Are you concerned about your child's feet? Book an appointment with Lilianne van Houten for a child-friendly examination.
Podiatric insoles last on average two to three years, depending on usage and materials. With intensive sports use, the lifespan may be shorter. We check annually whether the insoles still provide sufficient support and replace them when needed. Replacement is covered by your health insurer in most cases.
Off-the-shelf insoles from shops or pharmacies are generic and offer only general support. Podiatric insoles are made entirely to measure based on a comprehensive gait analysis and plaster cast or 3D scan of your foot. They correct your specific foot position and are tailored to your complaints, body type and activity level. Only podiatric insoles are covered by basic health insurance.
Most treatments are not painful. With manual podiatry, you may feel pressure on stiff joints, but this is generally well tolerated. Fascia therapy may cause some pressure in sensitive areas, but is always adjusted to your pain threshold. Wearing new orthotic insoles may take some getting used to in the first few days, but should never be painful.
No, you do not need a referral to visit us. Podiatry is directly accessible. You can make an appointment yourself via our website or by phone. Your health insurer covers the treatment under basic insurance, even without a referral.
Orthotic insoles are made for a specific type of shoe, but in most cases they can be swapped between shoes of the same type. If you need insoles for different shoe types, for example work shoes and sports shoes, we can fit a second pair. We always recommend bringing your most frequently worn shoes to the appointment.