Looking to refer a patient? Please fax a referral to (902) 442.5625.
Arthritis & Injury Care Centre’s lab is fully equipped to provide private services such as building, reforming and modifying custom orthotics and footwear, and to make many adjustments on-site as patients wait.
Current wait time to see Pedorthists Andy Hoar and Russell Cattoor is maximum 1 week.
Welcome to the Advanced Orthotic & Pedorthist Lab in Halifax, Nova Scotia
The Advanced Orthotic and Pedorthist Lab is now open and providing private access to services such as in house modifications for footwear, custom orthotics, and other foot appliances for all Nova Scotians at our clinic location in downtown Halifax. We offer a collaborative care model to ensure our clients’ individual needs are met, and include specialists such as Pedorthists, Podiatrists, Bracing Specialists, Physiotherapists, Massage Therapists, and Physicians into a patient’s treatment plan.
Visit the Advanced Orthotic & Pedorthist Lab Today!Advanced Orthotic & Pedorthist Lab Team
Andy Hoar
Certified Pedorthist
Andy Hoar is a sixth generation custom shoe maker and is now offering his services from the Arthritis & Injury Care Centre. His family has been providing custom made footwear and foot appliances in Halifax since 1842. After graduating from George Brown College in Toronto in 1983 with a diploma in Orthotic and Prosthetic Technology. Andy then went on to complete his training as a Prosthetic Technician in 1985.
He then began his internship under his father in Pedorthics culminating in his receiving his certification as a Pedorthist in 1988 through the American Board for Certification (New York). Andy then received his Canadian Certification as a Pedorthist in 2006.
As the senior Pedorthist at the NS Rehabilitation Centre Andy spent many years assisting in the training of Physicians as well as many other clinicians affiliated with Dalhousie University (Physio, OT, Orthotists, Prosthetists). In 2001 Andy joined the Multidisciplinary Leg Ulcer Clinic at the Halifax Infirmary specializing in neuropathic foot conditions. Working with Infectious Disease, Orthopedic, Vascular and Plastic surgeons.
As a faculty member of the Canadian Wound Care Association Andy spent 5 years as an instructor for The Institute of Wound Management and Prevention lecturing on wound prevention and treatment of neuropathic feet.
Andy Co-Authored the Best Practice Recommendations for the Prevention and Treatment of Diabetic Foot Ulcers: Update (2010) Wound Care Canada; Volume 8 (4): 6-40
Russell Cattoor
Certified Pedorthist & Orthopedic Bracing Specialist | Senior Product Specialist
Russell Cattoor joined the Arthritis & Injury Care Centre team in 2012 as a Certified Orthopedic Bracing Specialist with a Bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology (BSc.Kin) from Dalhousie University.
Since joining the Arthritis & Injury Care Centre Russell has gained his Canadian Pedorthic Credentials and is now the companies lead Pedorthist in Nova Scotia. Russell has also become an expert in Orthopaedic Bracing, specializing in acute and chronic injuries, athletic injuries, and pre- and post-operative protocols.
Russell is a driven and passionate individual with proven experience developing rehabilitation, strength, and performance programs. He possesses a unique educational background across high performance strength and conditioning, care and prevention of injuries, psychology, functional anatomy, and exercise physiology.
Russell’s other interests include surfing, rowing, hiking, and life guarding. When not at the clinic, you can find him with a smile on his face, and with his big St. Bernard dog, somewhere in or around the ocean.
Testimonial
No one chooses the circumstances that require a custom brace; an injury that necessitates one is never pleasant. The process of being fitted for one can be. Russell helped my daughter find the brace that is right for her, that allows her to return to all the activities that make her who she is and he did it with a professionalism that immediatlty engendered trust and a kindness that let us both know she was in great hands. I was thrilled with the support we received.
- M.K. – Satisfied Customer
Dr. Samir Ouizi
(Hons) Pod; Certified Podiatrist & Certified Canadian Wound Care Specialist
Dr. Samir Ouizi is from Brussels, Belgium. Originally from Casablanca, Morocco. He obtained his degree in Podiatric Medicine at Institution Superieure De Podiatrie, Hopital Universitaire de Bruggman in Brussels. In 2006, he obtained his International Inter-professional Wound Care Certificate from Toronto; Ontario.
Dr. Samir Ouizi has close to 25 years of lower limb Podiatry care experience. He appreciates team work and innovation in health care and has expertise in teaching and treating diabetic lower limb wounds, biomechanics, skin care, nail care and nail surgery, always with patient centered and tailored care. He continues to be involved in many scientific international Podiatric research studies. Samir has a keen interest in lower limbs wound and injury prevention, care and rehabilitation.
Samir is pronounced “Sameer” and Ouizi as “Weezy”. In his free time he enjoys hiking and teaching soccer to his kids.
He is fluent in Arabic, English, French with some knowledge of the Holland language.
Dr. Samir Ouizi is accepting new patients at the Arthritis & Injury Care Centre locations in Downtown Halifax, Clayton Park, and Dartmouth.
Treatment Services Offered:
- Comprehensive individual assessment, treatment & management plans for all ages
- Biomechanical Assessment and Gait Analysis
- Orthopedic and Custom Made Footwear recommendations and guidances
- Custom Foot Orthotics & Ankle Foot Orthotic
- Footwear Recommendations
- Foot Joint Mobilization and Manipulation Technique
- Musculoskeletal Conditions: Flat Feet, Heel Pain, Heel Spurs, Plantar Fasciitis, Achilles Tendonitis, Shin Splints, Arch Pain, Metatarsalgia, Morton’s Neuroma, Strains, Sprains, and Stress Fractures.
- Non invasive management of Bony Deformities: Bunions, Hammertoes, Haglund’s Deformity, Club Foot, Metatarsus Adductus, Charcot Foot, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Osteoarthritis, Leg Length Discrepancies, & Drop Foot
- Nail Care: Thick, Hard to Cut, Fungal, and Ingrown Nails
- Skin Conditions: Painful Callous & Corns, Heel Fissures, Cracked Heels, Eczema, Psoriasis, Hyperhidrosis (Sweaty Feet), and Cysts
- Verrucae Pedis (Plantar Warts) Treatment
- Fungal Infections: Athlete’s Foot, Tinea Pedis,& Onychomycosis (Fungal Nails)
- Diabetic Assessment, Routine Nail & Skin Care
- Diabetic Wound Care Management
- Cardiovascular Conditions: Venous Insufficiency, Vericose Veins, Lymphedema, Foot & Ankle Swelling
- Pediatric foot care, insoles and footwear assessment, evaluation and treatment
- Soft Tissue Surgery: Ingrown Nail Surgery, Wart Excision
- Lower limb Injection Therapy: Cortisone Injection, Local Anesthetic.
- Sports Medicine: Reflexology
- Custom-made toe wedges, props, bracing, splints, and padding materials
- Custom made fiberglass lower limb cast for diabetic foot wounds management
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Samir Ouizi, please contact our offices and our team will be happy to help!
Visit our Contact Page
Email: [email protected]
Downtown Halifax
1554 Dresden Row, Suite 3070, Halifax, NS B3J 2K2
Phone: (902) 442-5199
Fax: (902) 442-5625
Clayton Park
278 Lacewood Drive, Halifax, NS B3M 3N8
Phone: (902) 404-8419
Fax: (902) 442-5625
Dartmouth
250 Baker Drive, Suite 124, Dartmouth, NS B2W 6L4
Phone: (902) 404-8352
Fax: (902) 442-5625
Doug Iwasaki
Certified Orthotist
Doug Iwasaki joined the Arthritis & Injury Care Centre Team in 2018 as a Certified Orthotist, having already been practicing as a Certified Orthotist since 2010.
Doug Iwasaki was born and raised in British Columbia and began his career as a Certified Orthotist at a clinic that primarily served British Columbia Children’s Hospital. There Doug saw and treated cases ranging from infant cranial deformities all the way down to foot/ankle conditions. In 2015 Doug and his family made the move to Nova Scotia where Doug worked at the Nova Scotia Rehab Centre. While at the Nova Scotia Rehab Centre Doug worked closely with the entire rehabilitation team treating patients of all ages and conditions.
Doug believes in taking a holistic and patient centered approach to patient care. With a thorough understanding of the condition and patient lifestyle through physical and biomechanics assessment as well as gait analysis, Doug carefully designs and manufactures the most appropriate supports and/or braces for each individual patient.
Prior to moving into the field of healthcare, Doug was a school teacher and taught both locally and internationally before moving back to Canada to go back to school to become a Certified Orthotist. Much of his free time is dedicated to chasing his three boys around the house and trying to keep up with them!
Rihab Ouni
Certified Podiatrist
Rihab Ouni is from Sousse, Tunisia. She obtained her degree in Podiatry at the higher School of Health Sciences and Techniques in Sousse, Tunisia in 2018. In 2019, she received her post-graduate certificate in Diabetic Foot Care at the Faculty of Medicine Ibn Al Jazzar in Sousse, Tunisia. She has three years’ experience as a Podiatrist and diabetic foot specialist in Général Paramédical Company and PROMED centre based in Tunisia. Rihab shares a strong passion for the work she does. She has a special interest in Sports Podiatry and biomechanics.
In addition, she is passionate about Volunteering; she was presented in events with the Red Crescent and Tunisian foot health association. She was trained as a volunteer podiatrist in the Emergency, Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology, and Dermatology and Venereology departments at both the University Hospital Farhat Hached and University Hospital Sahloul in Sousse. She is interested in podiatry innovations and research, she was nominated for best dissertation two times and she won 2nd award of ‘’ mémoire étudiant PodoFair 2020’’ , Enghien, Belgium..
Rihab Ouni is fluent in Arabic, English, and French.
In her free time, she likes to practice meditation, taking online courses or reading about self development. She also enjoys cooking and volunteering.
Services Include:
- Biomechanical, Musculoskeletal and Neurovascular Assessments
- Diabetic Assessment, Nail & Skin Care
- Diabetic Wound Care Management
- Baropodometric Assessment to study static & dynamic plantar pressures
- Comprehensive individual assessment,treatment & management plans for all ages, Diabetic & non-Diabetic patients included
- Skin Conditions: Painful Callous & Corns, Heel Fissures, Cracked Heels, Eczema, Psoriasis, Hyperhidrosis (sweaty feet), and Cysts
- Nail Care: Thick, Hard to Cut, Fungal, and Ingrown Nails
- Pediatric foot care, insoles and footwear assessment, evaluation and treatment
- Soft Tissue Surgery: Ingrown Nail Surgery, Wart Excision
- Custom Foot Orthotics & Ankle Foot Orthotic
- Custom-made toe wedges, props, bracing, splints,and padding materials
To book an appointment with Rihab Ouni, Certified Podiatrist, contact us today!
Advanced Orthotic Products & Pedorthist Services
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Footwear Modifications
Orthopedic footwear is a general term for shoes that are manufactured with certain characteristics and features that support the mechanics and structure of the foot. This usually includes a good rigid midsole and outsole, firm heel counter, removable insole to accommodate custom orthotics, and are available in a variety of widths and shapes to fit various foot types.
Unfortunately, over the years, most private health insurance companies have stopped covering off-the-shelf (OTS) orthopedic footwear where the patient could select a pair of shoes from certain insurance approved “orthopedic” shoe brands. Many insurance plans were abused as orthopedic shoes were over-prescribed and involved in many insurance fraud cases.
Orthopedic shoe modifications can be performed on most footwear, whether they are your work boots, walking shoes, running shoes, dress shoes, and sandals. They may also be combined with your custom-made foot orthotics. You should always consult a Podiatrist or Pedorthist to see whether or not the shoe and shoe-modification is appropriate for your feet.
Learn more about Orthopaedic Footwear -
Custom Orthotics
At the Arthritis & Injury Care Centre, custom orthotics for the foot and/or feet are part of a therapeutic process.
This is the result of an assessment from a Certified Pedorthist or Podiatrist that includes a biomechanical and gait analysis, proper foot joint range of motion testing, soft tissue/muscle testing, as well as a number of additional testing based on your individual injury/condition. After this assessment, a three-dimensional mold of your feet (or foot) will be taken for the custom foot orthotics and the Certified Pedorthist or Podiatrist will discuss and educate you on the best approach for solving your injury/condition.
We take pride in your recovery and progress and will work with you through this entire process. Additional follow up sessions can be made to check on your progress with the orthotics, and any other treatment protocol that may be suggested.
The added benefit of choosing the Arthritis & Injury Care Centre for custom orthotics treatment is our inter-professional approach. Our Certified Pedorthists and Podiatrist work closely alongside Brace Specialists, Physiotherapists, Massage Therapists, and other medical professionals to offer all our patients the best care possible. You can purchase custom orthotics at our Halifax, Dartmouth, and Saint John locations.
Learn more about Custom Orthotics -
Custom Footwear
At the Arthritis & Injury Care Centre, custom footwear are intended to aid in the therapeutic process.
This is the result of an assessment from a Certified Pedorthist or Podiatrist that includes a biomechanical and gait analysis, proper foot joint range of motion testing, soft tissue/muscle testing, as well as a number of additional testing based on your individual injury/condition. After this assessment, a three-dimensional mold of your feet (or foot) will be taken for the custom footwear and the Certified Pedorthist or Podiatrist will discuss and educate you on the best approach for solving your injury/condition.
We take pride in your recovery and progress and will work with you through this entire process. Additional follow up sessions can be made to check on your progress with the footwear, and any other treatment protocol that may be suggested.
The added benefit of choosing the Arthritis & Injury Care Centre for custom footwear is our inter-professional approach. Our Certified Pedorthists and Podiatrist work closely alongside Brace Specialists, Physiotherapists, Massage Therapists, and other medical professionals to offer all our patients the best care possible. You can purchase custom orthotics at our Halifax, Dartmouth, and Saint John locations.
Learn more about Custom Footwear
Frequently Asked Questions
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Do I need a foot orthotic?
Do I need a foot orthotic?
If required, all ages can benefit from a foot orthotic. From discomfort in the foot to severe problems such as diabetic foot ulcers, a foot orthotic can help a wide range of patients.
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Do my shoes fit me?
Do my shoes fit me??
Comfort – Proper fitting footwear should feel comfortable the moment you try it on.
Toe wiggle room – To allow your feet to function properly, there should be a minimum of 1/4″ of space in the shoe beyond the longest toe of your largest foot. Match foot and shoe shape – For a shoe to fit properly, the shape of the shoe must match the shape of your foot.
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Can all shoes be modified?
Can all shoes be modified?
Sometimes shoes may need to be modified to better support and accommodate individual needs. These modifications can be made to everyday footwear as well as athletic footwear. Some modifications are not appropriate for all types of footwear.
Stretching: to improve the fit of a shoe
Bubble patches: to increase the room in the shoe and reduce the pressure on sensitive areas
Sole splits: to increase the width of the sole up to 3/8″
Excavations: to reduce the pressure on sensitive areas
Reinforcements: to strengthen an area and reduce premature wear
Flares and buttresses: to strengthen the shoe, widen the base of support and stop the foot from distorting the shoe
Rocker soles: to relieve pain in the ball of the foot, aggressively offload certain areas of the foot or to improve gait by aiding the heel contact or push off phase of gait
Lifts: to accommodate leg length differences
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Do patients need a medical referral/prescription?
Do patients need a medical referral/prescription?
A medical referral/prescription is not needed to see a Bracing Specialist, Pedorthist, Podiatrist, or Dietitian. However, most insurance companies require a medical referral/prescription in order to reimburse for services and/or products purchased. We will work with patients to collect all insurance information needed.
If a patient needs to see one of our Orthopaedic Consultants then a medical referral would be required by a physician. This allows for them to see the appropriate specialist at the appropriate time, which can also help to reduce wait times.
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Do patients need an appointment?
Do patients need an appointment?
An appointment is not required. An appointment will guarantee that patients are seen at the time scheduled but we understand that circumstances do not always allow for this and we will make sure we accommodate all our customers and patients.
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Does provincial health care (MSI/Medicare) cover the costs at Arthritis & Injury Care Centre?
Does provincial health care (MSI/Medicare) cover the costs at Arthritis & Injury Care Centre?
We are a private company whose services are not covered by MSI or Medicare. Part or complete service and/or product costs are often covered under most insurance plans. At the Arthritis & Injury Care Centre we will help to obtain all coverage information for the patient and will bill directly any companies that allow it. This includes private insurance companies, Worker’s Compensation Board (WCB), Community Services, and more
Appointments with our Orthopaedic Consultants ARE covered by MSI/Medicare.
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How do patients know if private insurance will cover the service and/or products?
How do patients know if private insurance will cover the service and/or products?
As a service to eliminate any confusion, the Arthritis and Injury Care Centre offers to contact the patient’s private insurance company, to find out all specific insurance coverage details on their behalf.
If estimates are required by an insurance company, to determine coverage, an estimate will be sent at no charge.
The Arthritis and Injury Care Centre will bill directly all insurance companies and policies that allow for this service. We will walk patients all the way through this process either way.
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Is there a warranty on purchased products?
Is there a warranty on purchased products?
Yes most products do have a warranty – for more details on all our product warranties please contact us.
Still have questions? Get in touch!
Common Conditions
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Diabetic Foot
Presence of several characteristic diabetic foot pathologies such as infection, diabetic foot ulcer and neuropathic osteoarthropathy is called diabetic foot syndrome. Due to the peripheral nerve dysfunction associated with diabetes (diabetic neuropathy), patients have a reduced ability to feel pain.
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Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is a disorder that results in pain in the heel and bottom of the foot. The pain is usually most severe with the first steps of the day or following a period of rest. Pain is also frequently brought on by bending the foot and toes up towards the shin and may be worsened by a tight Achilles tendon.
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Pes Cavus
Pes Cavus (in medical terminology, also high instep, high arch, talipes cavus, cavoid foot, and supinated foot type) is a human foot type in which the sole of the foot is distinctly hollow when bearing weight. That is, there is a fixed plantar flexion of the foot.
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Traumatic Foot Injury
Traumatic foot injury, sprains are stretches or tears, but these affect the ligaments and are generally caused by a fall or trauma to the ankle or foot. Bone fractures, or breaks, often occur during slips and falls, though they also can be the result of a direct impact to the foot or ankle, such as from an automobile accident.
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Charcot Foot
Charcot foot is a condition causing weakening of the bones in the foot that can occur in people who have significant nerve damage (neuropathy).
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Metatarsalgia
Metatarsalgia is a common overuse injury. The term describes pain and inflammation in the ball of the foot. It is often thought of as a symptom of other conditions, rather than as a specific disease.
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Hammer/Mallet Toe
Hammer, Claw & Mallet Toe. Hammer, Claw and Mallet Toe are similar conditions, all caused by deformity of the toe joints. They usually develop slowly from wearing poor fitting shoes, but can also be due to muscle or nerve damage. Muscle imbalance causes the toes to bend into odd positions which can be extremely painful.
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Partial Foot Amputation
Partial amputations of the foot include toe amputation, mid foot amputation (metatarosphalangeal, transmetatarsal), lisfranc amputation, and chopart amputation.
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Post-polio Syndrome
Post-polio syndrome (PPS) is a condition that affects polio survivors years after recovery from an initial acute attack of the poliomyelitis virus. Most often, polio survivors start to experience gradual new weakening in muscles that were previously affected by the polio infection.
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Pes Planus
Pes Planus (flatfoot) is a condition in which the longitudinal arch in the foot, which runs lengthwise along the sole of the foot, has not developed normally and is lowered or flattened out. One foot or both feet may be affected.
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Leg Length Discrepancy
Leg length discrepancy or anisomelia, is defined as a condition in which the paired lower extremity limbs have a noticeably unequal length.
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Neuropathic Feet
Peripheral neuropathy, a result of damage to your peripheral nerves, often causes weakness, numbness and pain, usually in your hands and feet.
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Pes Equinus
Pes Equinus is a condition in which the upward bending motion of the ankle joint is limited. Someone with equinus lacks the flexibility to bring the top of the foot toward the front of the leg.