Customised Shoe Insoles (Foot Orthotics)

Custom orthotics are non-invasive prescription medical devices specially designed to address foot injuries and disorders by providing pain relief and support.

Before prescription, a podiatrist will conduct a comprehensive assessment of your musculoskeletal needs, natural biomechanics, and lifestyle choices to determine if custom orthotics are a suitable solution for you.

If you suffer from lower limb injuries, are experiencing severe pain, or are required to stand for long hours, you might need a pair of custom orthotics to provide your feet with the proper structural support and prevent any further injury.

Some examples of conditions that might require correction through the use of orthotics:

• Flat feet/high arched feet
• Plantar fasciitis
• Heel spurs
• Morton’s neuroma
• Arthritis
• Metatarsalgia
• Diabetes
• Hammer toes
• Bursitis
• Paediatric Conditions
• Back pain

As the foundation of your body, malaligned feet can cause serious issues in many other areas. Through the realignment of how your feet are placed, orthotics can offer considerable help with pain and inflammation in the knees, hips, and lower back. Consult your podiatrist for a proper assessment to find out if you’re a viable candidate.

They are one of the best non-invasive forms of intervention to help with many foot, knee, hip, and back issues. In addition to helping you avoid surgery, such devices help create an even distribution of pressure, provide support and balance, and an appropriate level of shock absorption. This can help lessen the load of your movements and even realign the knees and hips to improve gait patterns in the long term.

Simple shoe inserts made out of gel or foam may provide cushioning and added comfort but aren’t designed to correct foot problems.

Custom-made orthotics are moulded to your unique arch and foot shape while incorporating corrections to offer increased support, pain relief and prevent reoccurrence of your condition. While this may be expensive, cheaper alternatives like off-the-counter insoles or even semi-custom insoles require frequent replacement, fit imperfectly, and may aggravate your situation further. When you invest in a bespoke pair of orthotics, you’re also getting an assessment and evaluation from a foot care specialist. The custom-made orthotics are made from high-quality materials that will last for several years with the proper care.

Orthotics rarely feel comfortable at first but wearing them should not be a painful experience. Be sure to break in your orthotics properly to ensure that you’re getting maximum results from your pair.

By following your podiatrist’s advice and personalised plan for you, any discomfort should be minimised. Over time, your foot structure will adjust to the desired form and there should not be any discomfort.

You will not require special shoes to use your customised orthotics, but appropriate shoes should offer these key supportive features:

• A removable footbed (which should be replaced by the orthotic insole)
• A wide stable base of support
• Be firm in the middle and not twist easily
• The material should not be too soft
• A deep toe box

It is recommended to have one pair of properly-fitted supportive shoes that you can wear constantly with your tailored orthotics, regardless of occasion. Some patients purchase several orthotics and have them tailored for specific uses and footwear.