Orthotic Fabrications

What is an orthotic shoe insert?

An orthotic shoe insert is sometimes simply called an orthotic, but may also be called an arch support or even an orthotic devise. An orthotic fits into your shoe - preferably a lace-up’ style - after it is molded and shaped by your physical therapist. Various materials may be molded directly to your foot. Materials that can be directly molded to your feet in the clinician’s office certainly have many advantages, including:

• Minimal costs
• Ease of adjustment
• Ability to walk out of the office with a finished product
• Adaptable to your shoe-wear
• Possible “stepping stone” to a more technical, lab-molded device when necessary

Have you tried an orthotic shoe insert?

An orthotic shoe insert can reduce the stresses and strains of standing and walking so that your leg or foot ailment has a better chance to heal and eventually stop hurting. Not all shoe inserts (or shoes for that matter) are created equal, however. Since foot types and foot problems vary substantially between individuals, selecting an orthotic shoe insert that is most appropriate for your specific needs is the key.

How do I know if I need an orthotic shoe insert?

• You may benefit from using orthotic shoe inserts if you have the following:
• flat feet or high arches
• knees that turn inward
• heel/arch pain, ankle pain
• shin pain (shin splints)
• knee or hip pain not associated with an injury
• bunions
• thick calluses on your feet

People of all ages and activity levels may benefit. Runners and people who must stand for long hours during the day are especially good candidates for orthotics.

You may already be seeing a physical therapist for your leg/foot injury or condition. The physical therapist often combines their knowledge of posture, gait, and joint mechanics to prescribe appropriate exercise as well as orthotic intervention, This combination seems to be the key to long term pain management of various musculoskeletal conditions affecting the leg and foot.

What do orthotic shoe inserts cost?

A pair of custom molded orthotics can be quite reasonable, especially if you and your physical therapist feel you may benefit from what is called an Aquatemp. This device is made by molding to your feet a material called Aquaplast, a 1/8 inch thick piece of material which, after it is heated, can be molded directly to your foot. This device is presently priced at $45.00 per pair which is comparable to the price of various non-custom orthotics found in pharmacies and shoe stores. Non-custom orthotics may be helpful for some individuals, but most physical therapists would agree that a similarly priced custom device has a greater chance of relieving pain associated with your unique foot structure.

When necessary, a more technical, lab-molded device can be ordered. This is often done by your physician or podiatrist, but can also be none by your physical therapist should the need arise.

How do I purchase orthotics?

The first step is to ask your therapist questions about whether I personally would benefit from wearing orthotics. If you are a current patient and are being treated for a leg or foot problem, your therapist may already have spoken with you about them.

If you both agree that orthotics may help your condition, you and your therapist will then decide upon a time to perform the molding of the orthotics or cast molding of your feet, whichever is needed You will pay for the orthotics when they are made for you or, if casts are sent to a lab, when the product is returned from the lab.

If you are not a current patient, you may schedule a physical therapy evaluation so that we may evaluate your feet and proceed with orthotic fabrication if appropriate. Please call our office to set up an appointment for an initial evaluation.