Custom Orthotics Specialist

What are custom orthotics?

Custom orthotics are special heel or shoe inserts used to decrease stress on your feet. They also distribute your body weight more evenly.

You can’t buy custom orthotics at the grocery store or pharmacy. Cortese Foot & Ankle Clinic uses a scanner or molds on-site to design custom orthotics that support the unique curvature of your feet.

What types of problems can benefit from custom orthotics?

Some issues that may benefit from treatment with custom orthotics include:

• Foot abnormalities
• Poor foot and ankle function
• Ankle instability
• Sports-related injuries
• Back pain
• Diabetes
• Flat feet
• High arches

You might also benefit from custom orthotics if you have bunions, Morton’s neuroma, heel pain, diabetic ulcers, or plantar fasciitis.

Am I a good candidate for custom orthotics?

Only a qualified podiatrist, like those at Cortese Foot & Ankle Clinic, can determine if you’re a good candidate for custom orthotics. At your initial consultation, your provider reviews your medical history, asks about your symptoms and lifestyle, and conducts a thorough physical exam.

During the exam, your provider physically observes your feet, toes, and ankles. They gently press on the heels and balls of your feet, looking for abnormalities or areas that are especially painful.

If your provider suspects that arthritis or an injury is causing your pain, they might also order X-rays or a bone scan to get a closer look at the hard and soft tissues in your feet.

If you’ve tried conservative treatments like rest, ice, compression, and elevation (the RICE protocol), or over-the-counter pain medications, and your symptoms still persist, you’ll probably benefit from custom orthotics.

What is the process for getting custom orthotics?

Cortese Foot & Ankle Clinic designs custom orthotics using two techniques:

Digital scanner

The digital scanner takes pictures of your feet and uploads the images to a software program. Afterward, your provider sends your scans to a laboratory that manufactures your custom orthotics. Digitally scanned orthotics aren’t as sturdy as custom molds. As a result, they usually only last for 2-3 months.

Custom molds

For custom-molded orthotics, your provider makes plaster impressions of both feet. Afterward, they send your plaster molds to a laboratory that manufactures your custom heel or shoe inserts. Molded orthotics are incredibly durable and usually last for up to two years.

Don’t let foot, back, or leg pain prevent you from living an active life. Schedule a custom orthotics appointment at Cortese Foot & Ankle Clinic today, call the office or book a consultation online.