Released: 07 April 2008

Salts Healthcare Ltd has taken a bold step in re-branding its Orthotics Division under the new name Salts Techstep and has, at the same time, introduced a trendy new range of orthotic school footwear specially designed with this most vital time for a child’s foot growth in mind.

Not only are the conventional and corrective boots in the school footwear range durable - which is great news for parents - they are also designed with style for fashion conscious, young wearers. Constructed in soft black leather, the boots, available in two styles in various widths, are light and flexible. As they are custom made to perfectly fit the child’s feet they can be adapted to suit specific requirements and allow for the foot to develop naturally and in comfort. All sizes are stocked and delivery is usually within three working days.

Another product within the range is the bespoke ankle foot orthoses, produced using the highest quality material in a wide variety of vibrant colours and finishes.

Senior Product Manager, Adrian Priest said: “Salts has a long and successful association with orthotics products and has always been highly regarded amongst long serving orthotists. To them, the Salts’ name is synonymous with quality, innovation, value for money, care and service - and that is what’s established us as the market leader in the manufacture and supply of custom-made surgical footwear.

“However, many more recently qualified orthotists and podiatrists didn’t immediately link Salts Healthcare with orthoses. We felt that the name Salts Techstep better conveyed the high tech nature of the business today and our customers agreed.”

He added: “They also agreed that our new range of school footwear is a welcome addition to the Techstep range. Although it was only launched in April, we’ve already had a fantastic response to it. Children don’t want to stand out from the crowd as being ‘different’ so these boots are ideal for those who wear functional foot orthoses and accommodative foot orthoses - orthopaedic appliances used to support, align, prevent, or correct deformities such as flatfoot - but who want to wear modern footwear, just like their friends.

The orthotic school footwear is now available alongside Salts’ range of footwear and accessories, including its Shuform range of slippers, Salts’ Stepahead range of custom-made digitally engineered, and off the shelf insoles, and shoes and boots; a range of fashionable orthotic and support shoes from Schein (which Salts exclusively distributes within the UK). The children’s range of Schein orthotic and support shoes boasts fun and funky styles in an array of bright colours. An outstanding product within this range is the ‘CP-ICP’ support boot which, is intended for patients with cerebral and spinal motion disorders for whom treatment with arch supports is not sufficient. The great thing about this model is that the high support it provides, reaching far over the ankle, can substitute an extra orthoses, such as a splint, making life easier for the patient (of course, with all specialist orthotics, seek clinical advice).