Orthotics FAQs

A custom orthotic is a specially made device to go within your shoe to improve the function of your foot and ankle. The orthotic is designed to alter the current mechanics and alignment to relieve excess stress and strain on the lower leg and foot. The orthotic is ‘custom-made’ as the shape of the orthotic is made to the precise measurements of your foot with the use of a 3D scanner and exact correction added for exactly what each of your feet needs.

Mostly, we use either semi-custom or full-custom ‘functional’ orthotics. The semi-custom orthotics are tailored to your feet and are great for growing kids or adults who need only a mild amount of correction or support. Full-custom orthotics are made to the exact measurements of your feet using the 3D scanner and are great for people who require a larger amount of control to their feet or have a specific area that needs offloading. Both are made from a semi-rigid 3D-printed material shell.

Mainly used in a hospital setting, soft ‘accommodative’ custom orthotics can be used to deflect pressure and spread load away from high-pressure areas or wounds.

You will need a shoe that has a removable insole and, ideally, can be fastened or adjusted to the size of your foot (e.g. laces). Without the removable insole, the orthotic may take up too much space within the shoe. Some orthotics can be specifically designed to fit semi-enclosed sandals and slip-on shoes or boots. Orthotics are not limited to use in just one pair of shoes and are designed to be transferred between shoes. However, if you want to transfer between runners and a more pointed pair of shoes, they may not fit in the narrower ones. Please bring in all the shoes you want to wear them with, and we will do our best to accommodate.

The more you are in them, the more they will help you; wearing them more at the beginning when your pain is improving is recommended. You should wear your orthotics as much as possible and should always wear them during activities that cause pain in the first place, i.e., work or sports. That said, you do not necessarily have to wear them 100% of the time.

Your orthotics should never cause you pain, although they may feel uncomfortable to begin with. During the initial two weeks of wearing the orthotics there will be a small transition period where your feet aren’t used to them and they are not yet comfortable, this is why we encourage wearing them in gradually. After this, you should not really notice them in your shoes.

Usually, it takes five years for a semi-rigid orthotic, but maybe only one to two years if it is made of a softer EVA. This does, however, depend on a few factors, such as how much the orthotic is used, what material it is made of and how much force or stress the person is putting through the orthotic. Children may outgrow the orthotics after approximately twelve-eighteen months. It is best to have your orthotics checked yearly to ensure they are still fitting correctly and are still providing adequate correction.