Feet First Orthopedics is a locally owned Cape Breton company based in Sydney, Nova Scotia.
As a Pedorthic company we focus on custom made foot orthotic devices and treatment of plantar fasciitis.
We pride ourselves on being Cape Bretoners and take that hard working, professional, yet easy going approach to how we operate our business.
We exist to serve our community and clients and do so through highly-skilled, experienced, patient-centered approach. We are here to help restore function and lifestyle to you via treatment approaches and products focusing on your Feet First.
Hi, I’m Frank MacCalder.
Canadian Certified Pedorthist and Owner of Feet First Orthopedics.
I have 20 years of experience in the field of Pedorthics and have worked in all aspects of our industry. This experience and extensive knowledge allows me to provide you with customized solutions to your foot pain.
Our professionally regulated, certified staff provide you with custom foot orthotics and footwear to help provide you with relief and comfort. Our in house fabrication allows for quick turnaround times and true customization of your orthotic devices.
What makes us different?
There are a lot of options available from numerous health care providers. This is a good thing. It provides different approaches to solutions to many health problems. However, the amount of providers and different (sometimes similar) professions is confusing when you are looking for a solution for you.
Here’s what we feel makes Feet First unique.
Expertise. At Feet First Orthopedics we have chosen to focus on our area of expertise. Simply put, we specialize in foot function. Canadian Certified Pedorthists – C. Ped (C) – are foot, foot orthotic devices and footwear experts. They are one of the few healthcare professionals trained in the assessment of lower limb anatomy and muscle and joint function.
With specialized education and training in foot orthotics and footwear, Canadian Certified Pedorthists help to alleviate pain, abnormalities and debilitating conditions of the lower limbs and feet.
Experience. Frank has 20+ years experience in the field of Pedorthics. He has been fortunate enough to have worked in all aspects of the industry: clinic business ownership in the private sector, 12 years and counting in the public sector hospital setting, fabrication foot orthotics, retail footwear and new interest in the ancient craft of bespoke and custom shoemaking.
This experience provides a unique understanding of the industry. With this unique backgorund and exposure to vast variation in foot related issues, Feet First is able to provide uniquely effective results to those we serve.
Custom Fabrication. There have been a lot of changes in the custom orthotic industry over the past few decades. Private insurance companies and Government affiliated groups such as Worker’s Compensation Board and Veterans’ Affair Canada are looking for qualified providers who are certified and regulated to provide the custom foot orthotics.
In addition, providers have chosen more commonly to have their products fabricated by out-sourced, large central fabrication companies. This offers a convenience, and cost effectiveness to the Pedorthist and the products can be effective. I’ve done this at different times in my career, but have always returned to making my own custom devices.
Our experience is that the personal touch and attention to detail can make all the difference in providing a custom fit. Our results have proven to provide a noticeable difference in feel, comfort, symptom relief and effectiveness of our custom devices.
For the past 10+ years we have fabricated all of our custom foot orthotics at our in house facility. At Feet First we believe in providing high quality products that are truly custom designed and custom made to suit your specific needs. We also believe in honoring the craftsmanship of hand making your custom orthotics.
Healthy Dose of Technology. One of the most significant changes to our industry in the past couple of decades is the shift away from hand made, hands on treatment to more technology based options. There are definite benefits to technology and much needed innovation to our field, but some of the hands-on importance of our clinical assessment work and craftsmanship of fabricating devices that makes Pedorthic training unique has been lost.
At Feet First Orthopedics we inject some technology into our fabrication methods,when appropriate. Although the majority of our custom foot orthotics are still hand made using time proven hands on methods, sometimes using advanced technology is suitable. When appropriate, based on your custom design needs or immediate turn around time requirements computerized CAD/CAM milling technology may be used to fabricate your custom foot orthotics from a digitized, and modified version of your negative foot impression (done in clinic). This offers seamless design and incorporation of many additions and adjustments to the orthotic while saving time.
Feet First Orthopedics also uses web based Patient Management Software for our scheduling, charting and communication with clients and referral sources. This allows increased security for your private medical information, the ability to collect and store more information like pictures and video to your chart and to communicate more efficiently with follow up and appointment reminders via emails or texts.
Flexibility. You may have noticed that appointments are typically only available during evening hours. This is mainly due to Frank’s schedule availability. Due to his commitments to his role in the hospital system, Frank operates Feet First Orthopedics during evenings and weekends. This works well as most clients prefer evening appointments so they do not have to miss work to attend.
Our Story
Frank has a unique career in Pedorthics. He started his Pedorthic career in 2000 in Halifax as a Pedorthic Apprentice prior to graduating from Dalhousie University. He worked in a custom foot orthotic fabrication company, making foot orthotics for many clinics and professionals in Atlantic Canada, including Cape Breton. That led to receiving his Certified Pedorthic Technician certification as a provider of custom made foot orthotics and shoe modifications.
That led to working at a busy private Pedorthic clinic and shoe store in Halifax. This provided apprenticeship opportunities under other Pedorthists and Frank obtained Canadian Certified Pedorthist certification in 2001.
In 2005, while still in Halifax, Frank founded Feet First Orthopedics and started his adventure into the world of business ownership feet first – pun intended.
In 2008, after the birth of their first child Frank and his bride moved back home to Cape breton to pursue raising their family on our beautiful island. That brought Feet First Orthopedics to Cape Breton, and allowed Frank to offer something to the communities that provided so much to him in his lifetime.
Since 2008, Frank has worked in the public sector health care system in Sydney Mines. Working in the hospital setting has provided perspective and more medically challenging clients which is a privilege not common to Pedorthists.
As Pedorthist we are required to upgrade our skills and education and Frank has had a lot of training and education in many areas of PEdorthics and business.
Frank’s most recent interest in expanding his knowledge and abilities in custom making footwear. In the fall of 2019 he visited Sweden for a shoemaking apprenticeship with Master Shoemaker Janne Melkersson. That has been a career and bucket list highlight that has ignited the spark to continue to pursue the ancient craft of shoemaking. True custom hand made shoes is a fading art that is enjoying a bit of global resurgence, and with further development something we hope to offer to our patients in the coming years.
Frank enjoys the challenge of business ownership and serving those in need. Balancing a busy private practice and full time employment in the hospital system, with my commitments to those most important to me – my family – is a challenge. Finding that work life balance is a priority and something my entire family benefits from, but is only achieved by the support of my life long partner (well nearly, we have been together since grade 9), my bride Allison and support of my 3 children.
Frank is a family man who is proud to call myself a Cape Bretoner. Frank by name frank by nature, he appreciates honesty and holds his character to a high standard. The MacCalder clan has pride in their Scottish and deep Cape Breton roots, Frank shares that pride and appreciation of old ways. I’m an introvert who talks for a living, but gets true fulfillment from helping others. An outdoorsman by heart, he feels strongly that we need to reconnect with nature, enjoy and appreciate the beauty and blessing she provides. Oh and he is a big fan of Star Wars.
If you think we can assist you in any way or have any questions please feel free to contact us.
Contact us now.