Understanding Custom-Made Orthotics
Custom-made orthotics are specialized devices tailored to align your foot and ankle in the most efficient anatomical position. These medical aids, designed with biomechanical principles, are customized to address your unique foot imbalances.
- They realign joints and diminish stress.
- Enhance movement, fostering an active lifestyle.
- Regulate muscle and tendon imbalances.
- Adapt to physical deformities.
- Distribute body weight uniformly and alleviate pressure points.
- Crafted using a 3D scan of your foot for precision.
- Compatible with any footwear featuring a removable insole, as long as the shoes properly fit your feet.
Do You Require an Appointment for Orthotics?
Indeed, securing an appointment is necessary to ensure the availability of our orthotic specialists for your consultation. We arrange each appointment for approximately 15 mins to half an hour. Kindly be aware that we request a notice period of 24 hours for rescheduling appointments.
Preparing for Your Orthotic Appointment: Essential Steps
- Please arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment time. So we have sufficient time for registration and completion of the necessary paperwork.
- Bring your prescription or referral, including a diagnosis, from your Physician. For a standard template of the prescription/referral, you can click the provided link.
- It’s important to bring all the footwear you regularly use, including work shoes, sneakers, casual shoes, winter boots, sandals, and others.
- Reminder: Should you need to reschedule, we kindly ask for a notice period of 24 hours.”
Overview of Your Initial Orthotic Appointment:
- Discussion of Condition/Symptoms: We start by understanding your specific condition and the symptoms you are experiencing.
- Gait Analysis: An evaluation of your walking pattern to identify any abnormalities or areas of improvement.
- Footwear Evaluation: We assess your shoes to determine their impact on your foot health and alignment.
- Casting Technique involves a non-weight bearing 3D volumetric cast of your feet using an infrared structured light scanner. You can view the image of your feet on a monitor during the scanning process.
- Selection of Orthotic Type: Based on the assessment, your foot health professional will choose the appropriate materials and type of orthotic that best addresses your symptoms. The options include:
- Accommodative
- Functional
- Rigid
- Soft
- Diabetic
- Etc. Scheduling of Pick-Up Appointment:
At the end of your initial appointment, we will book a follow-up appointment for you to pick up your custom orthotics, usually set for 7 to 10 days later.”
Fabrication and Process of Orthotics at Our Clinic:
- Utilizing 3D Imaging: The process begins with a 3D image scan of your feet, the blueprint for modelling your custom orthotics.
- Incorporating Custom Features: Based on your specific needs, we integrate various elements in the design, such as metatarsal pads or bars, accommodations for plantar fasciitis, heel spur pads, and more.
- Digital Modeling and Production: After completing the digital modelling, we send the design to our lab partners, which accurately produces your custom orthotic using this advanced technology.
- Applying the Top Cover: We carefully glue a top cover onto the fabricated orthotic for comfort and durability.
- Final Trimming for Perfect Fit: Our experts trim the orthotics to ensure they fit seamlessly into your footwear.
Process for Picking Up Your Orthotics:
- Fitting Orthotics into Your Footwear: When you arrive to pick up your orthotics, we will place them in your previously evaluated footwear. Our careful assessment ensures compatibility between the features of your shoes and your specific needs, as well as the new orthotics.
- Guidance and Fitting: Our staff will explain how the orthotics should feel in your shoes and will check to ensure they fit correctly. We aim to ensure you are comfortable and confident with your new orthotics.
- Break-In Process: We will explain the break-in process for your new orthotics. Taking this step is important to ensure comfort and effectiveness. Patients are encouraged to contact us during this period for any necessary adjustments.
- Customization to Patient’s Needs: The composition and density of the materials used for your orthotics are selected based on your specific requirements. This customization process allows us to provide the maximum support and comfort tailored to your needs.
Compatibility of Custom made Orthotics with Different Shoes:
We design orthotics to fit into any shoe with a removable footbed. However, it’s important to note that the footwear’s proper fit and function significantly influence the orthotic’s effectiveness. Shoes that adequately accommodate the orthotic will ensure maximum benefit and comfort.
Breaking In Your Orthotics:
Orthotics typically require a break-in period of about two weeks. Here’s how to approach it:
- Gradual Introduction: Begin by wearing your orthotics for short periods each day. The key is to start slowly and gradually increase the wear time.
- Listen to Your Feet: Removing them for the rest of the day is advisable if you start to feel discomfort or pain while wearing the orthotics.
- Adjustment Period: During the first two weeks, the amount of time you can comfortably wear the orthotics may vary. This variation is a normal part of the adjustment process.
- Achieving Comfort: After two weeks of consistent use, your orthotics should feel comfortable.
Lifespan of Orthotics:
The durability of orthotics varies based on several factors:
- Wear and Tear: Over time, orthotics tend to compress and wear out, which is a natural part of their use.
- Impact of Weight and Activity Level: Your body weight and physical activity level can significantly influence how long your orthotics last. Higher weight and activity levels may accelerate the wear.
- Recognition of Wear: Typically, you will notice the need for replacement when your original symptoms reappear, indicating that the orthotics are no longer providing the necessary support.
General Replacement Timeline:
- Replace orthotics on average every 1 to 2 years. This timeframe ensures that they continue to provide the intended support and comfort.
- Special Consideration for Children and Adolescents: Growing children and adolescents may need to replace orthotics more frequently to accommodate their feet’ continuous growth and changes.
Pricing of Custom-Made Orthotics:
- Cost for a Single Pair: We price our custom-made orthotics at $450.00 per pair, reflecting the use of high-quality material.
- Discount for Additional Pairs: If you order a second pair of orthotics, each additional pair is available at a reduced price of $400. The adjusted price saves $50 per pair compared to the original price.
- Quality and Craftsmanship: We take pride in making our orthotics from the best materials available in the industry.
Insurance Coverage for Orthotics:
- Approved Insurance Providers: We are approved providers for many insurance plans.
- Typically Covered Services: Most medical insurance plans cover a range of services, including:
- Custom Made Orthotics
- Footwear Modifications
- Compression Stockings
- Podiatry Services
- Varied Coverage for Orthopedic Footwear: Some medical insurance plans may also cover orthopaedic footwear, but this varies.
- Plan-Specific Coverage: It’s important to note that each insurance plan is unique, and coverage for specific products and services will differ from one plan to another.
- Checking Your Coverage: To ensure clarity on what your plan covers, we recommend contacting your insurance company directly to inquire about the specifics of your coverage.
- Prescription Referral Requirement: If your insurance plan requires a prescription or referral from your physician for coverage, please obtain this before your appointment.