Looking for Custom Fitted Orthotics

03 Dec Looking for Custom Fitted Orthotics

5 Reasons to Choose Custom Orthotics

Walk into any drugstore or discount store and you’ll see a wide array of ready-to-wear orthotics designed to fit every size and every foot need. Do these orthotics work, or are you better off finding some that are custom made for your foot and your condition?

You might think that custom orthotics are only necessary for serious foot and leg complications. In fact, they can help even if you have minor but troublesome issues like an ingrown nail, a fungal nail or heel pain. Following are some reasons to choose orthotics made by a foot care professional over the off-the-rack orthotics you can find at your local store.

1. They Fit Better.

Instead of trying to cram a one-size-fits-all piece of rubber into your shoe, hoping it will fit properly, you can have an orthotic that’s been made for your foot and your foot alone.

If you’ve ever tried to fit one of those inserts into your shoe, you might have been frustrated. With custom orthotics, you never have to worry. A podiatrist measures your foot with 3D imaging that captures the exact shape, size and dimensions of your foot. Top-quality materials complete your custom orthotic.

Better yet, if you need to have it resized at any time, you can do that simply by contacting your podiatrist.

2. They’re Made from Quality Materials.

Unlike flimsy, over-the-counter insoles, custom orthotics are made from durable, high-quality materials. They are designed to last for the life of your shoe.

Over-the-counter orthotics are thin. They’re not to made last years. By contrast, custom orthotics feature several layers of support and cushioning.

This allows the custom orthotic to provide differing levels of support at once. If you have a mixed set of symptoms or conditions, one custom orthotic can help you correct all of them.

3. They Make Real Healing Possible.

Off-the-counter orthotics can certainly help cushion your feet and provide some arch support. They can help you feel better if you have certain foot conditions.

For real healing, however, you need custom orthotics that cushion your feet, lift and separate your toes, and change your foot’s position when you’re walking or running. This ability to affect real changes in your foot is what allows custom orthotics to help heal conditions including:

• Plantar fasciitis.
• Metatarsalgia.
• Bone spurs.
• Ankle sprains and fractures.

4. Insurance Might Cover them.

If you’re worried about the price of custom orthotics, that’s understandable. It might surprise you to know that some insurance companies cover orthotics when they are prescribed by a podiatrist.

This is especially true if the orthotic is prescribed for a specific medical condition such as diabetes. Coverage policies vary by insurer. The best way to find out if you’re covered for orthotics is to call your insurance company.

You can use your health savings account and flexible savings account to pay for them.

5. They Aren’t Just for People with Foot Problems.

Custom orthotics aren’t just for people with serious foot, leg or ankle problems. They can also help people in the following everyday situations.

• People who stand on their feet at work all day.
• Athletes who need specific types of foot support to increase performance.
• Arthritis sufferers who can’t tolerate the pressure of shoes.
• People who need arch support. Most of us discover that our arches flatten as we age.
• Anyone who wants to feel more comfortable in their shoes.

Foot Care for Everyone

At Shuman Podiatry & Sports Medicine, we believe that everyone deserves feet that feel great, walk well and never hurt.

If you’re suffering from an annoying problem like a fungal nail or an ingrown nail, or if you have more serious concerns like foot pain or heel pain, call our office today.

Schedule an Orthotics Fitting Appointment