What is an orthotic?
An orthotic is a device that sits inside your shoe which is designed to support and assist the foot and lower leg muscles to work more effectively. They commonly are made of a plastic like material called polypropylene or a soft material called EVA. Orthotics are often referred to as innersoles or arch supports.
I have foot pain, does that mean I need an orthotic?
No, not necessarily. We will assess your foot pain including a thorough history of your complaint and a biomechanical assessment. If we feel orthotics may benefit you then they will be part of your overall treatment plan which may also include a home exercise program, footwear modifications, etc.
Orthotics can help reduce pain in the following conditions:
- Heel pain (plantar fasciitis)
- Knee pain
- Shin splints
- Bunions
- Tendinopathies
- Severs
- Corns and calluses
- Arthritis
- Lower back pain
- Ankle pain
Prescription orthotics are just one of several effective methods of managing heel pain.
What type of orthotics might I need?
Every foot is unique and that is why generic orthotics are a waste of your time and money. Generic orthotics are made to fit everyone, but we see feet of all shapes and sizes and often hear that people have purchased orthotics from the supermarket with no benefit to them. Which type of orthotic is right for you will depend on the following:
- Are we trying to change the way your muscles and joints work?
- Are we trying to offload a painful area on your foot?
- What shoes will they be put in?
- What activities are you doing in them?
- Your budget
We offer many different types of orthotics including:
- Prefabricated
- Semi-custom
- Fully custom
- Pressure offloading
