1st Step Is The First Step in Orthotic Treatment

1st Step is a premium off-the-shelf product designed to meet practitioners' varying patient requirements. We call 1st Step an off-the-shelf orthotic system because the versatility of the 1st Step product enables practitioners to easily treat the most common foot-related problems. 1st Step is a premium orthotic that provides unmatched flexibility, control and shock attenuation. Often, practitioners use 1st Step as their primary product for initial patient treatment. From pediatric to geriatric, the 1st Step orthotic system enables practitioners to modify the product to address patients' individual biomechanical and pathological problems. This allows for an evaluation phase to determine if other more aggressive orthotic treatment is required. In many instances, the 1st Step product is sufficient to fulfill the patient's needs. Nearly 10 years of clinical applications have shown that 1st Step orthotics conform to 80% of the general population's foot architecture, resulting in excellent patient compliance.

1st Step Is an Excellent Orthotic System for Achieving Dynamic Alignment™

The concept behind 1st Step's design is not only to support the medial longitudinal arch, but also to control the entire foot and its changing functions throughout the gait cycle. Dynamic Alignment™ refers to the proper alignment of the body's lower kinetic chain, allowing for optimal dynamic function. The normal interdependence of the foot, ankle, knee and hip during gait allows for transverse plane rotations within optimal ranges. If the joints of the lower extremity are not in proper alignment with one another, excessive internal and external rotations will occur and predispose patients to lower extremity pathologies. Approximately 70% of the population have been identified as "Pronators." All too often, medical practitioners overlook the simple solutions to reducing a patient's excessive rotational deformities - the utilization of foot orthotics to achieve Dynamic Alignment™.

Flex-to-Firm Support

1st Step is specifically designed to provide maximum control. The product's unique flex-to-firm support incorporates both design and material theories that allow for normal foot function while decelerating excessive and undesirable motions, maintaining Dynamic Alignment™.

Heel Cup

Provides excellent fat pad containment and stability to the calcaneous, helping to maintain the lower kinetic chain in its most functional position or in Dynamic Alignment™.

Superior Shock Absorption

All 1st Step products incorporate Poron®*, for unmatched shock attenuation. Independent lab testing has proven that during compression tests for both bottoming out in the unworn condition and again after severe compression simulating excessive wear, Poron® maintains 98% of its shock attenuation. Poron® does not bottom out. It provides continuous shock absorption, protecting your patients over the life of the product.

Custom Modification

1st Step also offers a unique feature. The orthotic can be easily modified to provide increased rearfoot, midfoot and forefoot control. The clinician's evaluation determines the proper modification required to treat the patient. 1st Step provides prefabricated posting materials (forefoot, rearfoot, met pads, heel lifts, etc.) which can be easily attached to the product to achieve the modifications the clinician desires.

* Poron® is a registered trademark of Rogers Corporation