Custom Foot Orthotics are devices that can be made to fit inside your shoes which help control biomechanical abnormalities. They do this by gently by gently bringing your foot and ankle into the most ideal anatomic alignment. By doing this they can reduce stress and strain on your body thereby effectively decreasing the pain and suffering brought on by a wide variety of conditions. Read on for some frequently asked questions about custom foot orthotics!
How do you make Custom Foot Orthotics?
Custom Foot Orthotics are designed for each individual after a thorough biomechanical examination and gait analysis. After that we take precise measurements of your feet and ankles. At our clinic we often use a 3D digital laser scan with your foot held in a corrected position. We also offer casting via plaster of paris. Regardless of how your measurements are taken all orthotics are hand-crafted. There are 3d printed orthotics available, though in our experience they tend not to be of high quality just yet. Perhaps one day the technology will get there, but for now we ensure all our orthotics are hand crafted from start to finish.
Will they fit in my current shoes?
Yes! There are a variety of types of orthotics that can fit into different style shoes. While the most supportive devices typically work best in running or walking shoes we can fit a device into most any/all shoes you may have. People often ask if they have to go up a shoe size to wear orthotics and generally you do not. If the shoe has a removable insole the orthotic replaces that. For dress shoes we can often make a device that is small and thin enough to still work in your current shoes. Dr. Randhawa is known for wearing her custom foot orthotics in a wide variety of dress shoes - from ballet flats to high heels! We understand that shoes are important, and we will work with you to find something that works for you
Not at all! Many people benefit from custom foot orthotics but not all. Not every condition or problem related to your foot can be solved with a custom foot orthotic. This is why a full evaluation and diagnosis by a podiatrist is necessary prior to obtaining custom foot orthotics. Many people can be helped by simply wearing supportive shoes, or wearing good quality over the counter arch supports
Does everybody need Custom Foot Orthotics
Custom foot orthotics can help a wide variety of foot and ankle related issues including:
Pain…heel pain, plantar fasciitis, arch pain, generally achy sore tired feet, pain to the ball of your foot, metatarsalgia, and sometimes even pain to your knees, hips and back. Custom foot orthotics will offload high pressure areas and support your feet in working the way they are meant to work thus decreasing the pain we get in our bodies.
Deformities….bunions, hammertoe’s, bone spurs, calluses, flat feet, high arch feet. While an orthtoic cannot often reduce or make a deformity go away, they can slow down the progression of many deformities and thus help decrease pain and suffering associated with them
Injuries….chronic ankle sprains, arthritic conditions, bursitis, tendonitis, trauma, fractures. We can often speed up recovery from an injury by using a custom foot orthotic. Wearing custom foot orthotics can sometimes also decrease the chance of re-injury in the future.
Arthritic conditions….individuals with osteo, rheumatoid or other types of arthritic conditions often need a softer more gentle accommodative orthotic which can provide shock absorption while also controlling gait abnormalities.
Diabetes…individuals with diabetes can be at high risk for foot complications which can sometimes lead to amputations. This often is a result of diabetic neuropathy where individuals lose sensation in their feet. Here custom foot orthotics can help reduce excess stress and pressure that may otherwise lead to ulcerations. A specific type of orthotic called a diabetic tridensity device is often used in these situations
Gait abnormalities…many people pronate excessively, some supinate excessively and some simply have altered walking/running patterns secondary to underlying neuromuscular conditions. Custom foot orthotics can help reduce these abnormalities and thus decrease the chance of falls and injuries
Children…some children have a tendency to in-toe or out-toe or have other types of developmental issues including growing pains or frequent tripping/falling. Custom foot orthotics can often be part of the solution both short and long term, depending on the situation
This is by no means an exhaustive list of conditions that custom foot orthotics can help. If you are wondering if custom foot orthotics are for you we would encourage you to make an appointment with our doctor for an evaluation and frank discussion about the potential benefits
What conditions do they help?
The cost of custom foot orthotics varies depending on a variety of factors. Coverage is available through most extended health providers and employee benefit plans. Unfortunately we cannot bill your insurance provider directly, so you will need to check coverage with them.
Coverage is also available for some individuals who have:
Status and coverage through First Nations Health Authority - for those who qualify medically custom foot orthotics are covered every 2 yeras.
Individuals with provincial disability - call the Ministry of Social Development at 1-866-866-0800 to see if you qualify. We will need to fill out an Orthoses Request and Justification Form together and send it to the ministry to obtain approval. We do have this form in our office. There is often coverage available for both custom foot orthotics and off the shelf orthopedic shoes for those who qualify from the Ministry. Orthotics coverage is typically every 3 years though off the shelf shoe coverage can be every year.
Other coverages may be possible. Talk to your employer, benefits plan, social worker or whomever else helps you manage your health related finances.