Children's Orthotics

Our certified orthotists are members of Orthotics Prosthetics Canada. Certification assures that all of our orthotists have a high degree of knowledge and experience, which is supplemented with continuing education.

They evaluate, design, fabricate, fit and deliver a supportive brace or orthotic device. Our skilled clinicians specialize in treating complex paediatric cases, following best clinical practices for the casting and fitting of children.

They also provide comprehensive follow-up care once the orthosis has been delivered. All these services help optimize your child’s functional outcome.

Orthotic technicians partner with orthotists to produce, fabricate and repair orthoses (braces and supports) that are used to support, correct or realign limbs, the spine or the head. These technicians carry out the fabrication of orthotic devices with specialized hand tools, machines and software.

Foot orthotics can improve alignment, reduce pain, or accommodate for problems such as bunions (painful swelling on first joint of big toe).

Custom-made foot orthoses

Foot orthoses custom-made in-house.

Pre-made quick fit

Off-the-shelf foot orthoses for treatment of many common foot ailments.

External shoe lifts

Off-the-shelf shoe lifts designed to modify and adjust leg length.

Internal shoe lifts

Off-the-shelf shoe lifts designed to modify and adjust leg length.

90/90 Wheaton 

AFO (Ankle and foot orthoses)/KAFO (Knee, ankle and foot orthoses) for the treatment of metatarsus adductus/varus, clubfoot or tibial torsion. Pre-made and custom-made sections.

Foam hip abduction splints/Wheaton Hip Abduction

Custom-made hip splints for hip deformities.

Toe extension

Custom-made toe extension for AFOs or KAFOs.

Pavlik harness

Off-the-shelf hip harness for hip disorders.

The boots and bar orthosis is also called a foot abduction orthosis or a Denis Browne splint. The brace holds your child's feet turned outwards and in the corrected position. The bar can be static or dynamic and the boots are off the shelf boots to help maintain correction of clubfoot. 

Learn more about clubfoot

Read more about treatment for clubfoot on AboutKidsHealth

Off-the-shelf or custom-made knee orthoses are used to control motion around the knee joint due to instability (ligament damage) or arthritic pain at the knee joint.

Generation 2 FX stabilizer

Off-the-shelf knee support.

Patella Stabilizers: EPX Stabilizer, Tiny Titan Knee Sleeves

Off-the-shelf knee support.

Adjustable plantar fascitis resting splint coreflex

Nighttime resting splints.

Ankle foot orthoses (various) 

For ankle ligament instabilities.

Custom ankle foot brace (various) 

Custom ankle foot brace from prescription.

Hand splints are prescribed for pain control and protection. A splint is sometimes used to provide rest, support and pain relief to a sore joint.

Hand splints

A variety of hand and wrist support splints available.

Freedom hand splint

Wrist support designed to allow free finger movement while immobilizing the wrist.

Coolflex hand splint

Light, cool and comfortable hand splint.

Custom bi-valved WHFO

Custom-made wrist-hand-finger-orthosis.

Custom EO

Custom-made elbow orthosis.

Custom EO with joints

Custom-made elbow orthosis with joints.

Custom resting WHFO

Custom-made wrist-hand-finger-orthosis.

Custom WHO

Custom-made wrist-hand orthosis.

Otto Bock Rehband hand splint

Off-the-shelf, soft, breathable and flexible hand splint for the treatment of rheumathoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.

• Specific fees vary depending on the type and extent of services required.
• A minimum of 50% of the payment for this device is expected at the time of the casting, which takes place during your visit for the initial assessment.
• The remaining 50% of the cost is expected when you receive the helmet.
• The Children’s Orthotics Clinic is unable to bill your insurance company directly.
• We accept Visa, MasterCard, certified cheques, money orders, cash and debit.

All proceeds from orthotic treatment at the Children’s Orthotics Clinic support patient care and research at SickKids.

Please review our Financial Policy to understand the expectations and responsibilities regarding payments for orthoses

View Financial Policy (PDF)

Appointments must be cancelled at least 24 hours before your scheduled appointment. A $25 fee may be charged for appointments cancelled less than 24 hours in advance or not cancelled at all.

To cancel your appointment:

• Call 416-813-7073 or email admin.orthotics@sickkids.ca

• Provide us with the date and time you called, your name, the date of your appointment and your contact information.

Late arrivals

If you arrive to your appointment more than 15 minutes past the scheduled time, the appointment may need to be rescheduled. Thank you for understanding and cooperation.

Orthoses covered by the Assistive Devices Program (ADP)

Our orthotists are authorized vendors of the Ontario Assistive Devices Program, who can help your family navigate ADP policies and procedures for funding.

Selected paediatric orthotics are covered in part by the Ministry of Health through the ADP. ADP pays for 75 per cent of orthoses covered by the program. Patients are responsible for paying the remaining 25 per cent. For a list of devices covered by ADP, please see the Ministry of Health website.

What if I am eligible for ADP coverage?

• Request an ADP application form from a doctor if you are eligible to receive ADP coverage. Any physician can prescribe ADP-funded orthoses.
• Bring your signed ADP application form to your referring physician who will fill in the following: date, diagnosis, what they are prescribing and signature. Any medical physician can prescribe ADP funded orthoses.
• Bring the completed form to the Children’s Orthotics Clinic
• If you do not have an ADP form, you can obtain one from our clinic and take it to your doctor to be filled out.

Extended health insurance

Some extended health insurance plans may cover a portion of the 25 per cent not covered by ADP. Call your health plan provider for information. The clinic requires full payment up front and your insurance company will reimburse you directly if you are eligible.

Charitable organizations

Some charitable organizations may cover a portion of the 25 per cent not covered by ADP if you do not have extended health insurance. It is the responsibility of the family to apply for assistance with charitable organizations.

Social assistance

If you are receiving social assistance benefits under Ontario Works (OW), Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) or Assistance to Children with Severe Disabilities (ACSD), ADP may cover the total cost. If your child is a patient at SickKids, speak to your clinic nurse or social worker for more information. For patients not affiliated with SickKids, please speak to your health care professional. Proof of social assistance is required in the form of a monthly stub.

The following charitable organizations may be able to assist you with some or all of the cost of your orthosis. You are responsible to apply for assistance from charitable organizations.

• A Child’s Voice Foundation: assistance for children and their families with special needs as a result of a medical condition.
• Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities: this is a monthly allowance for disabled children. It is intended to help compensate for expenses beyond those of raising an able-bodied child.
• Easter Seal Society: financial assistance with funding not covered by the Ministry of Health's Assistive Devices Program (ADP), insurance and other resources. Priority is given to mobility and communication devices.
• Elks and Royal Purple Fund for Children: assistance for special needs children when funds are not available from any other source. Assistance has been granted for a number of purposes. Western Canadian residences are encouraged to apply.
• Jennifer Ashleigh Children’s Charity: assistance for children who are chronically or seriously ill.
• PC Children’s Charity: direct financial assistance in the purchase of expensive mobility equipment, environmental modifications, physical therapy and more.

• AFO: Ankle-Foot Orthosis
• CO: Cervical Orthosis
• CTLSO: Cervical-Thoracic-Lumbo-Sacral Orthosis
• EO: Elbow Orthosis
• EWHO: Elbow-Wrist-Hand Orthosis
• FO: Foot Orthosis
• HKAFO: Hip-Knee-Ankle-Foot Orthosis
• HO: Hand Orthosis
• KAFO: Knee-Ankle-Foot Orthosis
• KO: Knee Orthosis
• LO: Lumbar Orthosis
• LSO: Lumbar-Sacral Orthosis
• SEWHO: Shoulder-Elbow-Write-Hand Orthosis
• SIO: Sacroiliac Orthosis
• TLSO: Thoracic-Lumbo-Sacral Orthosis
• WHFO: Wrist-Hand-Finger Orthosis
• WHO: Wrist-Hand Orthosis
• WO: Wrist Orthosis