Custom Orthotics

How Custom Orthotics Work

For custom orthotics to work properly, we must first understand the underlying issues causing pain in the foot. This takes a full examination, which might include questions about what your feet go through at work, what activities you enjoy doing, and overall medical history. We might even ask you to bring a pair of well-worn shoes in with you. We can tell a lot about the way you walk by examining the treads!

Once the problem is determined, a cast or model of each foot is made and orthotics are prescribed to provide very precise amounts of cushioning and corrective measures in specific areas. We use “prescribed” quite literally here. Custom orthotics are designed for only one pair of feet, and no two pairs are exactly the same.

Orthotics can be divided into two general categories, based upon their purpose:

• Accommodative orthotics are designed to provide cushioning and support, either to help relieve pain or to guard specific areas against damage. They naturally tend to be made of softer yet firm materials.
• Functional orthotics are designed more to control abnormal motions of the foot, such as overpronation (the foot rolling too far inward while stepping). By assisting in maintaining normal motion, these orthotics can relieve much of the excess stress being placed on certain areas such as the Achilles tendon or plantar fascia. Functional orthotics tend to be made of relatively rigid materials such as plastic.

Some custom orthotics may combine elements from both types, depending on the situation.