Custom Orthotics
Custom Orthotics are custom made insoles which are designed to treat a specific foot condition. They are used to treat many conditions such as: heel pain, forefoot pain, bunions, big toe pain, hammer toes, Morton's neuroma, metatarsalgia, diabetic feet, leg length differences, ankle pain, shin pain, knee pain, lower back pain, plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinitis, pes planus (flat feet), pes cavus (high arch feet), rheumatoid arthritis, corns/calluses and pediatric conditions, to name a few.
The Process
What Makes a Good Orthotic?
We get this question a lot. This is not a quick answer as there are several factors that go into making custom orthotics - all of which affect the outcome. Not all orthotics are the same - far from it.
What King of Custom Orthotics Do You Make?
The materials used and the overall design is customized to meet the individual's need, based on foot type and condition treated. There are generally two types of custom orthotics:
Insurance Information
Custom orthotics are covered under many extended insurance plans. Extended insurance plans will ask for certain documents to support your claim including a prescription and casting method. The Foot Fixers will provide all necessary documents.
There is no sales tax on custom orthotics as they are a medical product. They are also tax reiumbursable.
The Process
- Initial Assessment - At this appointment the chiropodist will perform a history, biomechanical assessment and gait analysis. The information gathered is used to come up with a diagnosis and treatment plan. Your chiropodist will go over all suggested treatments, and if custom orthotics are part of the treatment plan. Your footwear will also be assessed and footwear recommendations will be made.
- Casting - If custom orthotics will help treat the condition, a mold of the feet is taken. The Foot Fixers uses a plaster cast mold. This is a tried and true method of acquiring an extremely accurate image of the feet in their ideal "neutral" postition.
- Manufacturing - The plaster casts are then sent the lab for manufacturing. A positive image of the feet are made from the plaster casts. Once these positive molds are made, the selected materials are heated and vacuum pressed over the molds. Then the orthotics are tuned to spec, which results in truely custom orthotics. The orthotic shape changes based on the type of footwear it is mated with, for example ski boots, skates, work boots running shoes, dress shoes or sandals.
- Fitting Appointment - At this appointment, the orthotic fit is confirmed against the feet, and fit into the shoes. The break-in process will be explained and the orthotics are dispensed.
- Follow-up - It is important to ensure that the condition being managed is improving. Sometimes additional complementary treatments are needed. Sometimes custom orthotics need to be adjusted, which is done for free with The Foot Fixers.
What Makes a Good Orthotic?
We get this question a lot. This is not a quick answer as there are several factors that go into making custom orthotics - all of which affect the outcome. Not all orthotics are the same - far from it.
- Training - Chiropodists and Podiatrists are the only professionals who specialize in diagnosing and treating the feet. They specialize in custom foot orthotics and a great deal of their schooling is spent on this area. Jake Cahoon also completed his education as a Canadian Certified Pedorthist which gave him years of hands on experience making custom orthotics.
- Casting Technique - There are many ways to cast for orthotics including a plaster cast, 3D laser scan, foam box mold, pressure plate data, and pinpad molding. The gold standard is a 3D non-weightbearing subtalar neutral cast (that's a mouthful). The only casting techniques that ahieve this are a plaster cast and 3D laser scan. We use a plaster cast at The Foot Fixers.
- Manufacturing Lab - The labs who make custom orthotics have various techniques and standards. We use a PFOLA certified lab which is highly regarded in Canada.
- Shoes - The shoes that are mated with the custom orthotics have a direct influence on their overall effectiveness. The right shoes will be recommended by your chiropodist.
- Policies - The Foot Fixers stands behind our custom orthotics. We use gold standards in making them and adjustments are made for free if needed.
What King of Custom Orthotics Do You Make?
The materials used and the overall design is customized to meet the individual's need, based on foot type and condition treated. There are generally two types of custom orthotics:
- Functional Orthotics - These custom orthotics are designed to control or change biomechanics. If a foot is flat and needs to be supported, we would use a functional orthotic to do this. What makes this type orthotic able to control foot mechanics is a firm "shell" material. Functional orthotics shells are made of heat moldable polypropylene, carbon or graphite material. Because these materials are custom molded, they are comfortable, and soft inserts can be added for certain conditions, for example heel pain.
- Accommodative Orthotics - These custom orthotics are designed to offload high pressure areas, to distribute weight evenly through the feet and to improve proprioception. They are best for conditions that require a lot of cushion, like diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis. They are made of softer materials like various EVA foams and cork.
Insurance Information
Custom orthotics are covered under many extended insurance plans. Extended insurance plans will ask for certain documents to support your claim including a prescription and casting method. The Foot Fixers will provide all necessary documents.
There is no sales tax on custom orthotics as they are a medical product. They are also tax reiumbursable.
