En Pointe Orthotics
Customized Ballet support Inserts Singapore For En Pointe Dancers

En Pointe Orthotics (EPO’s) are fitted by accredited En Pointe Orthotic fitters only.

The best time to have your EPO’s made are when you are ready for some new pointe shoes. This will ensure that the pointe shoes correctly suit your individual foot shape and to accommodate an En Pointe Orthotic.  You will be able to have EPOs made into your current pointe shoes but please discuss this with your fitter prior to your fitting appointment.

A personalised En Pointe Orthotic consultation and fitting will take approximately 45-60 minutes. This is just an estimate as the complexity of the fitting will determine the appointment length. Your En Pointe Orthotics are available to take home immediately after your En Pointe Orthotic fitting. It is suggested that you leave the En Pointe Orthotics for 24 hours before dancing in them.

In Singapore, Louise is the only registered EPO Fitter, so if you live in Singapore, am passing through Singapore or want to have a fitting in Singapore, connect with me and we can arrange an appointment.

For more information:

• For addition information including cost and payment.
• To make an appointment for an EPO fitting
• To discuss if you are having the EPO’s made in your current pointe shoes or new pointe shoes.

En Pointe Orthotics are a custom made EPO silicone insert that fits over the toes then inside the box of a pointe shoe providing unsurpassed support, alignment and comfort. The specially formulated EPO material is flexible enough to absorb energy yet firm enough to provide support and alignment whilst maximising balance, control and comfort.

In more detail, En Point Orthotics  aligns the toes whilst en pointe and distributes the body’s weight more evenly across them.

“Pointe work is as rigorous as it is beautiful and the many small structures of the foot are simply not well matched anatomically to the punishing demands of dancing en pointe”

– The answer:  En Pointe Orthotics.

Medical Endorsement Dr Aneel Nihal – Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgeon

MBBS ,FRCS (Glas), FRCS (Ed), FRCSEd (Tr & Ortho), FRACS (Ortho), CIME (ABIME)

1. Individuals In-Clinic En Pointe Orthotics + Fitting SGD 350 per pair. 
   
2. Individuals On-Site En Pointe Orthotics + Fitting SGD 400 per pair
   
3. Group On-Site En Pointe Orthotics + Fitting SGD 350 per pair (min 3 pairs)

By appointment only. For appointments, please contact us.

Our feet and toes endure enormous amounts of stress and significant weight-bearing while dancing en pointe. As a result of this stress, there are certain foot conditions that may develop at any time. En Pointe Orthotics aims to prevent these foot problems rather than accepting them as part of a dancers life.

En pointe dancing is the culprit in many cases of bunions, hammertoes, sesamoiditis, bursitis, trigger toe, and stress fractures. (Reference :Dr. Kelsey Armstrong)

The rigors of pointe work are well known to contribute to a multitude of foot and toe problems which may include:

BUNIONS OR HALLUX VALGUS

Bunions (sometimes referred to as Hallux abducto valgus) are enlargements of the inner portion of the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint at the base of your big toe.

The foot bunion is the result of changes that occur in the framework of the bones at the front of your foot. Instead of pointing straight ahead, your big toe begins to lean into your second toe, throwing the bones out of alignment.

En Pointe Orthotics support the toes improving the alignment as well as protecting the bunion area from added pressure. A Partial En Pointe Orthotic can also be an alternative in this case and we can explore this.

BLISTERS

Despite wearing shoes designed for this form of dance, dancing en pointe still may cause friction between the toes and the shoes themselves which can cause chaffing and blistering.

With the perfect fit of the custom-made EPO, there are dancer’s claim that they no longer get blisters in their toes when wearing EPO’s.

CALLUSES AND CORNS

With the joy of pointe work usually comes the not-so-pleasant experience of having unsightly calluses. Ongoing rubbing and pressure on the toes may cause these calluses to form. 

This may seem a protective measure for the rigors of pointe work however this may also lead to painful corns, infection, fissures, irritation under and around the calluses, discomfort and sometimes pain.

It has been suggested to maintain the calluses before you get to the pain.  En Pointe Orthotics philosophy is in prevention, so no need to “Maintain before Pain”

FUNGAL AND BACTERIAL INFECTIONS

We have not had any reports of either fungal or bacterial infections of the toes in dancers wearing EPO’s despite it being a common occurrence among dancers. 

The En Pointe Orthothics material does not harbor bacteria and can be easily washed.

However, we recommend en pointe dancers (and all dancers) to have good foot hygience (wash, have at least 2 well-used pairs etc)

HAMMERTOES

Hammer refers to a toe that bends in the middle and curls downward.

It can and will make dancing en pointe painful (even walking and turning and moving about can be affected). 

EPO’s help aligns and support the toes, preventing or improving pre-existing hammertoes.

STRESS FRACTURES

Clients that claim to have suffered from stress fractures due to pointe work have said that they no longer suffered these fractures since wearing en pointe orthotics.

(Most likely, the reason for this is because EPO orthotics helps to even and spread out the force applications during dance moves and especially with en pointe techniques)

TRIGGER TOE

Trigger toe is an injury that most commonly affects ballet dancers, due to the physical demands of dancing en pointe

Trigger toe symptoms are usually mild at first with only mild discomfort however progressively and eventually the dancer may find it difficult or impossible to dance en pointe, and will experience especially sharp pain when lowering the foot from the pointe position to a flat position. 

If trigger toe is not diagnosed and treated properly (and in some cases even if it is), it can mean the end of a dancer’s career.

As the condition is rare ongoing research into the benefits of EPO’s are continuing. 

TOE NAIL DAMAGE

If you are a ballet dancer en pointe, issues involving the toes are probably nothing new. Considering that your entire body weight is balanced on your toes while dancing, it’s no wonder that your feet and toes look like they’ve taken a beating.

Dancing on your toes day after day puts tremendous stress on them, and that stress is sometimes evident by the appearance of the toenails. Because of the pressure placed on the toenails while en pointe, some dancers develop bruising of the nails.

Bruised toenails can cause intense pain (not to mention an unsightly appearance) for dancers. When the bruising is caused by dancing en pointe, it is usually the result of repeated pressure to your nail. Pressure strong enough to cause bleeding.

Tiny blood clots form under the nail, causing pain to the dancer as the toenail is lifted away from the nail bed. In extreme cases, a portion or the whole nail can eventually be lost.

If your feet are weak, you may also be compensating by knuckling your toes which also causes too much pressure on your nails. You may benefit from physiotherapy.

En Pointe Orthotics are made to fit like a glove to the exact contours of your toes, down to your toe prints, grooves and crevices.  This precision custom pointe pouch has been shown to eliminate any damage to toe nails in all reports from dancers in EPO’s when worn correctly and nails kept trimmed.

In all trials and client feedback, clients have reported that they have not sustained any occurrences of bruising, fungal infection, ingrown, or loss of toenails since wearing EPO’s

How long will my En Pointe Orthotics last?

The life span of En Pointe Orthotics differs and depends based on variables with each individual dancer. En Pointe Orthotics are made from a highly durable EPO material. The degree/rate of wear and tear will depend on the hours of pointe work per week, the individual dancer’s technique and how the orthotics are cared for.

How much will a pair of En Pointe Orthotics cost?

The cost for a pair of En Pointe Orthotics is determined by the En Pointe Orthotic Fitter, taking into consideration the complexity of the fitting.

Here in En Pointe Care, the total fee per pair including fitting fee is SGD 399.

Where can I get a pair of En Pointe Orthotics?

We provide the customized fitting and En Pointe Orthotics in Singapore.

So if you're in Singapore, live in South East Asia and/or passing through Singapore, and want a pair, contact us and we can arrange an appointment.

Can I wear En Pointe Orthotics in my current pointe shoes?

There may not be enough room in your current pointe shoes.

We highly recommended that your En Pointe Orthotics are fitted in a new pair of pointe shoes to ensure the correct fit for your feet which will provide the best possible support.

How long does an En Pointe Orthotic fitting take?

A personalized En Pointe Orthotics consultation and fitting will take approximately 60 - 75 minutes. This is just an estimate. The complexity of the fitting will determine the appointment length. Please contact us for more information.

When will my orthotics be ready to take home?

When the appointment is completed you will be able to take your personalized En Pointe Orthotics with you. We do however suggest you wait 24 hours before dancing in them (this is to allowed 100% complete curing of the EPO material).

Can I wear my En Pointe Orthotics in any style of pointe shoe?

Your En Point Orthotics will be/have been moulded using a specific style of pointe shoe most suited to your foot and as such provide the perfect fit in that style only, however they may be transferable between pointe shoes that are of similar box and vamp shape.

Please note that the size and width of the pointe shoe must be fitted correctly to allow for maximum support and alignment from your En Pointe Orthotics.

Do I need to have to have En Pointe Orthotics made every time I go up a size in pointe shoes?

As long as your En Pointe Orthotics are fitting your toes comfortably you can transfer them to the next size up pointe shoe. You will need to take your En Pointe Orthotics to every pointe shoe fitting to ensure the correct fit of your next pointe shoes.

How do I care for my En Pointe Orthotics?

• Please keep your En Pointe Orthotics clean and dry when not in use.
• We recommend that you “air” your orthotics until they are dry.
  
• Please change the desiccant in your En Pointe Orthotics box regularly.
  
• Handle with care when positioning and removing your En Pointe Orthotics. Cleaning your EPOs are quick and easy with instructions on the inside base of your EPO box.
  
• EPOs can also be cleaned in your dishwasher. The EPO material used is an inert non-toxic material and as such does not cause any skin problems.  We have had NO reports of any fungal or bacterial infections due to the wearing og EPOs.  There is very little to no foot odour of used EPOs.

Can another dancer try on and wear my En Pointe Orthotics?

This is not recommended as every pair is customized to the specific feet.

As everyone’s feet are different, your personalized En Pointe Orthotics should not be worn by another individual. Your En Pointe Orthotics are custom made and designed to accommodate the shape and style of your foot only.

Do I need to wear additional accessories with my En Pointe Orthotics?

Your En Pointe Orthotics are expertly fitted to ensure maximum support, control and alignment, therefore additional accessories are not required and should not be required at all, unless you outgrow/wear out your EPO.

How long will it take me to get use to wearing my En Pointe Orthotics?

If you are new to pointe work, En Point Orthotics will maximise support and comfort immediately. If you are an experienced ballet dancer it may take a few dance/wears until you are completely comfortable with the supportive feel.

When is the best time to be fitted for En Pointe Orthotics?

As a senior physio and an accreditted En Pointe Orthothics fitter, we believe that the best time to be fitted for your En Pointe Orthotics is NOW. The reason for this is because pointe work will take a toll on your soft tissues of your toes, foot and ankle, and our job is to preserve your soft tissue so that you can dance and do en pointe without pain and for years, if not decades =)

Wearing En Pointe Orthotics from the beginning stages of your pointe work is preferred however, all dancers, whatever level, will benefit by maximising strength and control whilst limiting chances of impending injury or deformity.

Do the En Pointe Orthotics allow for natural movement?

Yes.

En Pointe Orthotics are crafted from a flexible EPO material allowing the foot to freely roll up and through demi pointe. The En Pointe Orthotics material is flexible enough to absorb energy yet firm enough to provide support and alignment.

• Cash
  
• Cheques to be made payable to "Nalco Group Pte Ltd" (as we are part of them)
• Bank transfer
  
• Paypal payments can be arranged with an additional 5% due to PayPal fees (if you'd like to pay via credit card/PayPal, let us know in advance so we can raise the payment request)

Please let us know in advance by contacting us, thank you!