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Using the Brannock Device
Use the Brannock Device to measure your patients' feet. Patients should
wear socks while measurements are being taken. We offer a customized Dr. Comfort Brannock Device which includes both men's
and women's sizing.
Take 3 separate measurements.
A)
Heel-to-Toe Length: Press the toes flat against the base of the Brannock Device and look straight down over the longest toe (not necessarily the first toe) to read toe length. Make
sure the patientís socks are snug against the toes (without
drawing the toes back) to get an accurate measurement.
B) Heel-to-Ball
Length (Arch): Place your thumb on the ball joint of the foot. Slide the pointer forward so the inside curve
of the pointer fits the ball joint of the foot and the two high ribs come in contact with your thumb. When the pointer is
properly located, the lower middle rib will be against the center of the ball joint on the side of the foot.This yields the
arch measurement.
C) Width: Slide the width bar to the edge of the foot. On the sliding width bar, locate the length. To determine length use the midpoint between the heel-to-toe length and the heel-to-ball
length. Find the width measurement that lines up to the shoe length on the width bar. If the shoe size falls between the widths,
choose the wider width. If the foot is extremely fleshy or has a high instep, it may be necessary to fit an extra width wider.
3) Reverse the Brannock Device end to end and measure the other foot. It is common for people to have feet of different
sizes. Always fit shoes to the larger foot.
4) Have your patient try on the Dr. Comfort sample shoe or shoes which is nearest the size you have determined to be
correct. Make sure you pull the tongue up before lacing to assure proper fit.
5) Determine if fit is correct.
A) Check to see that the ball of the foot is at the widest part of the shoe. If ball is forward (toward toes), shoe is to short.If ball is back (towards ankle), shoe is
too long. The area from the ball of the foot to the toes should NEVER be tight.
B) Check toe location. There should be 1/4-
to 3/8-inch room at the toe for proper fit. Shoe can feel snug around the instep as leather will shape and form, but the shoe
should not feel excessively tight at instep. If it does, patient may need a half size longer or one size wider.
C) Note: As a general rule, longer is usually
better. Never fit short.
6)
Help patient select
an appropriate style and color. Indicate a first and second choice on order form.
7) Order shoes and any additional inserts.
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