Custom Foot Orthotics vs Store-Bought: What You Need to Know
Have you ever been prescribed or sold a pair of orthotics but weren’t sure why you needed them or how they were supposed to help?
At Complete Podiatry, we often see clients for a review or second opinion about the orthotics they’re already wearing.
Sometimes they’re working well, but other times we find they’re not doing much to help.
The difference often comes down to who prescribed them and how the orthotics were made.
Not All Orthoses Are The Same
The word orthotics gets used for a wide range of devices, from soft foam insoles in your local pharmacy to fully customised, podiatrist-prescribed medical devices.
You can buy “orthotics”:
- At shoe shops
- From stands at local fairs and markets
- From overseas franchise stores
- Even on cruise ships
But just because something is called an orthotic doesn’t mean it’s right for your foot or your problem.
Think of it like cars: both a small, basic hatchback and a luxury sedan are “cars,” but they perform very differently.
The same applies to orthotics.
Let me ask you two questions:
- Would you let anyone but a dentist fill a cavity in a tooth on a cruise ship?
- Would you buy false teeth from a local fair?
- Would you let someone who was not a doctor operate on you?
No? OK....
Just like you wouldn’t do the things above because it is unsafe, you shouldn't buy an orthotic from an unqualifies health practitioner let alone a business.
We use a 3D laser to capture the models of your feet
Why the Right Orthotic Matters
Foot orthotics work by changing the way forces move through your feet and legs.
Every time your foot hits the ground, the ground pushes back with an equal and opposite force.
This is called a “ground reaction force.”
If a bone, ligament, tendon, or muscle in your foot or leg is injured, those forces can overload the area, causing pain and slowing healing.
A correctly prescribed orthotic can reduce these damaging forces, giving your body the chance to heal and allowing you to move more comfortably.
Low Dose vs High Dose Orthotics
We like to think of orthotics in terms of dose:
Low Dose Orthotics
Generic, one-size-fits-most insoles that aren’t shaped to your foot or tailored to your condition.
These may help some people, but often they don’t provide enough support or pressure relief for specific medical needs.
High Dose Orthotics
These orthotics are fully customised medical devices prescribed by a podiatrist.
These are based on a detailed assessment of your foot, gait, activity levels, footwear, and health history and are designed to deliver exactly the right amount of support and force correction for you.
For example, taking too small a dose of medication might not work for your condition, but the right dose, tailored to your needs, can make all the difference.
Orthotics are no different.
Why See a Podiatrist for Orthotics
Podiatrists are the only health professionals trained to:
- Diagnose the exact cause of your foot or leg pain
- Identify the forces contributing to the problem
- Design a device that targets those forces
- Integrate orthotics into a complete treatment plan
Your treatment plan at Complete Podiatry will often include:
- Pain management strategies
- Hands-on treatment to help with healing
- An offloading strategy (such as orthotics)
- A strengthening program to help prevent future problems
This is why orthotics are part of the plan, not the whole plan.
Custom Orthotics: How We Make Yours
At Complete Podiatry, your custom orthotics start with a 3D laser scan of your feet.
From there, we design them digitally with prescription variables tailored to your needs.
They’re made from high-quality EVA foam in a density suited to your comfort and activity level, and hand-finished in our clinic to ensure the perfect fit for your shoes and lifestyle.
Because we make them from EVA, we can easily adjust them in the clinic if your needs change over time.
The Bottom Line
Low-dose, generic orthotics might be fine for some people, but if you have ongoing pain, an injury, or a medical condition, a high-dose, custom-made orthotic prescribed by a podiatrist is far more likely to get you back to the activities you love without pain.
Don’t settle for “just an orthotic.”
Get the right orthotic, designed for you.
Ready to feel the difference?
Book your appointment with our Adelaide Hills podiatrists today and see how custom orthotics can help you move more comfortably again. Call us on 8330 0004 or send Book Online now.
Anthony Robinson
Director of Complete Podiatry