What clinical information is essential to gather during an initial assessment for orthotic fitting?

Gathering patient history, current symptoms, and physical examination findings is crucial during an initial assessment for orthotic fitting because this comprehensive information allows the orthotic fitter to understand the patient's condition fully. Patient history provides insight into previous treatments, underlying conditions, and the patient's lifestyle, which can all influence the choice of orthotic device. Current symptoms help in understanding the specific issues the patient is experiencing, such as pain location or mobility limitations.

Physical examination findings are equally important as they provide objective data regarding range of motion, strength, and any structural abnormalities that might need to be addressed with an orthotic. This triad of information helps ensure that the orthotic device fits appropriately, provides the necessary support, and is tailored to the patient’s unique needs.

While feedback from previous orthotic fits can be valuable in some cases, it is not essential for the initial assessment. Relying solely on patient history or symptoms without a physical examination would leave critical gaps in understanding the patient's condition and would increase the risk of inappropriate orthotic fitting.