Orthotics

What are orthotics?

An orthotic is not just an arch support that can be purchased from a pharmacy or sneaker outlet, but rather a sophisticated corrective prosthetics, which are customized for the patients foot structure and functional needs.
Orthotics are medical devices prescribed to help relieve foot and ankle discomfort. They are a conservative treatment approach to allow patients to go about normal activity by helping to control ones’ walking, and prevent future injury.

Some Common Conditions that are Treated with Orthotics

Flat Feet- pronation disorders
High Arches
Runners and Sports Injuries
Heel Pain and Plantar Fasciitis
Arthritis Bunions, Hammertoes, Neuromas
Post Operative control
Fatigue and chronic ache
Pre and Post
orthotic rebalancing

How do they work?

Goals of an orthotic are to improve standing, walking, or running making one’s activity more comfortable, and efficient. They are customized from 2 perspectives
A cast impression is made specifically from your feet in an uncompensated position to obtain the most correct function.
Balancing the orthotic with a variation of posts, wedges or padding as Dr. Saunders prescribes with knowledge of biomechanics and kinesiology, and from your clinical examination.
The orthotic will realign and rebalance the foot with the leg/body to a more “normal” position. These subtle changes will allow your body’s muscles, tendons, bones, and joints to work together synergistically to be more efficient.

Can I wear my regular shoes?

There are many different styles of an orthotic dependent on the activity and function required. They are customized with many different materials and polymers to affect thickness and flexibility. Together you and the physician can decide what is best for you. For example, some people only want to wear dress shoes, sandals, or 2” heels; others need the orthotic for marathons, ice skates, cleats etc…
Diabetes and other medical conditions do have necessary requirements to account for. Many parameters are considered to meet your needs, but the prescription ultimately helps decide the final style.

Can children or teens wear orthotics?

These are important years that can prevent a lifetime of pain and discomfort. The foot molds and conforms as the child begins to walk. The foot adapts to stresses during growth, even if this is an abnormal stress leading to pain syndromes. Mal-alignment and poor function can be controlled and limited with an orthotic. It is often recommended that children with foot deformity be placed in orthotics as soon as they start walking.
Please Note As - the child develops the orthotic will vary as the foot changes shape. Most children can avoid surgery with orthotic usage.

Helpful Hints

Orthotics require an adjustment time period, please follow the doctor guidelines for usage.
Do not purchase new shoes until you have the orthotics to bring with you.
Remove the shoe inserts to provide more room for your orthotic and foot.
Monitor your foot for irritations  / rubbing.
Keep orthotics away from pets because they become expensive toys.
Some health insurance companies provide orthotics as a covered benefit for their clients. Our staff is trained to assist in precertification.
Orthotics are hand made and customized. Please allow 3-4 weeks for fabrication.
Orthotics transfer from shoe to shoe, but some people prefer additional pairs for convenience and different shoes. The labs provide significant discounts for this situation.
In general the more you wear the orthotic the better it helps you, but it is acceptable to skip short periods for special occasions.
If you desire your cast molds, please request them when you receive the orthotics. The molds are stored for several years at the lab.