Foot Orthotics

  • Overview

The word “Orthotic” originates from a Romanized Greek word that translates “to straighten” or “to align.” Orthotics are devices that are used to change structural and functional parts of the neuromuscular and/or skeletal system.
[1]

Trusted Source

International Organization for Standardization

Respected International Organization

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Custom foot orthotics are a type of orthotic device specifically designed for feet.

Foot orthoses (commonly referred to as “orthotics”) are devices placed into shoes in order to support the foot by redistributing forces placed on the joints of the foot during standing, walking or running.    There are two varieties of shoe inserts: the inferior pre-fabricated “off-the-shelf” and the superior being custom molded foot inserts.

Everyone, from elite athletes to children to elderly, can enjoy the benefits (reduced pain) of custom molded foot orthotics to accommodate biomechanical deformities like high-arched feet, toe pain and bunions
[2]

Trusted Source

Journal of Foot and Ankle Research

Peer-reviewed journal

Multi-disciplinary journal

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or other conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, plantar fasciitis and juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).
[3]

Trusted Source

Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews

Peer-reviewed journal

Leading journal in the field

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Additionally, their literature supporting the impact “orthotics” can have on the foot, knee, hip, and low back.
  • What are Foot Orthotics for?

The foot has 3 arches: medial, lateral and transverse.    The arches form a triangle with the points being the base of the big toe, the base of the little toe, and the heel of the foot.    The heel to the big toe makes the medial arch, the heel to the pinky toe makes the lateral arch, and the big toe to the little toe makes the transverse arch.    These arches function as shock-absorbers and help us transition and adapt as we walk.
[4]

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Mayo Clinic Proceedings

Peer-reviewed journal

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The arches are similar to a spring, first they absorb the load of the body as the foot flattens on the ground, then the arches recoil to help lift the foot off the ground.
[4]

Trusted Source

Mayo Clinic Proceedings

Peer-reviewed journal

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When the arches are not properly supported in conditions like flat footedness or having high arches, they cause pain and can lead to poor biomechanics of the foot.

Custom foot orthotics support the arches properly so it helps correct poor gait patterns and prevents deformities from worsening.

Custom foot orthotics are a great option for:

  • Foot pain

  • Bunions (Hallux Valgus)
    [5]

    Trusted Source

    Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews

    Peer-reviewed journal

    Leading journal in the field

    Go to source
  • Hammer Toe

  • High arches (Pes cavus)
    [6]

    Trusted Source

    American Podiatric Medical Association

    Respected United States Organization

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  • Flat footed (Pes Planus)
    [6]

    Trusted Source

    American Podiatric Medical Association

    Respected United States Organization

    Go to source
  • Club foot (talipes equinovarus)

  • Metatarsalgia

  • Morton’s Toe and Morton’s Neuroma

  • Plantar Fasciitis
    [6]

    Trusted Source

    American Podiatric Medical Association

    Respected United States Organization

    Go to source
  • Patients who are on their feet for extended periods

Many people don’t know that custom foot orthotics can also help with lower back pain.    A 2017 study showed that wearing custom shoe orthotics improved lower back pain compared to no treatment.
[7]

Trusted Source

Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Peer-reviewed journal

Internationally recognized journal

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Patients also seek custom shoe inserts for:

  • Hip pain

  • Knee pain

  • Shin Splints
    [6]

    Trusted Source

    American Podiatric Medical Association

    Respected United States Organization

    Go to source
  • Ankle pain

  • Arthritis

  • Degenerative joint diseases

Child Receiving Orthotics

Foot Orthotics In Scottsdale

Call for an Appointment

480-585-5577

or Request an Appointment Online

Call for an Appointment

480-585-5577

or Request an Appointment Online

  • Prefabricated vs Custom Foot Orthotics

Patients often ask whether they should get custom orthotics or buy over the counter (OTC) orthotics. While it is a personal choice, there are good reasons for custom made orthotics.

Fit.

Buying premade orthotics are available at a variety of stores, they are quick, convenient way to adjust the fit of your shoes.    Premade orthotics (off-the-shelf) are mass-produced for an “average” foot and do not correct specific problems.    Custom orthotics take about 2 weeks to get but they are 100% custom made to order specific to your feet.

Price.

Off-the-shelf orthotics are usually cheaper since they are mass produced. Since Custom orthotics are made to order, they do cost more.

Quality.

Over the counter orthotics are mass produced and the materials—well, they are lacking.    Prefabricated orthotics are usually made from rubber or silicon. Custom foot orthotics use premium materials like leather, cork, carbon fiber, polypropylene or rigid plastics.

Durability.

Since over the counter orthotics are often made from cheap materials, they won’t last as long as custom orthotics.    Prefabricated insoles for your shoes wear down quicker too and you’ll have to buy a pair each time you buy new shoes while Custom orthotics will usually last for years; so, while custom foot orthotics cost more upfront, they last a lot longer.

  • Break-in period

There is a “break-in” period with custom shoe inserts.    To ease this break-in period, a great guide is to start wearing your orthotics 3 hours per day for the first couple of days, then gradually increase usage by 1 hour every day.

Some mild discomfort in the beginning is common, as the muscles in your lower leg adjust, the discomfort will improve.    Full break-in time could last up to 45 days.

  • Are custom Foot Orthotics worth it? Do custom foot orthotics work?

A Research study shows patients love their custom foot insoles.    A survey was randomly sent out to over 100 people asking about their custom insoles from Foot Levelers, there was 100% response rate and all indicated that they were satisfied with their custom foot orthotics for their symptoms.
[8]

Trusted Source

The Journal of Chiropractic Education

Peer-reviewed journal

Internationally recognized journal

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Another study showed that the addition of chiropractic care led to higher improvements in function.
[7]

Trusted Source

Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Peer-reviewed journal

Internationally recognized journal

Go to source

In order to back up the information in our articles, Arizona Chiropractic & Holistic Health Center exclusively cites high-quality sources such as peer-reviewed research. We strive to provide accurate, dependable, and trustworthy content based on the best evidence avaliable.

  1. International Organization for Standardization. (2020, September). ISO 8549–1:2020 Prosthetics and orthotics — Vocabulary — Part 1: General terms for external limb prostheses and external orthoses. ISO. https://www.iso.org/standard/79495.html
  2. Welsh, B. J., Redmond, A. C., Chockalingam, N., & Keenan, A. M. (2010). A case-series study to explore the efficacy of foot orthoses in treating first metatarsophalangeal joint pain. Journal of Foot and Ankle Research, 3(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/1757-1146-3-17
  3. Hawke, F., Burns, J., Radford, J. A., & du Toit, V. (2008). Custom-made foot orthoses for the treatment of foot pain. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Published. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.cd006801.pub2
  4. CHAN, C. W., & RUDINS, A. (1994). Foot Biomechanics During Walking and Running. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 69(5), 448–461. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0025-6196(12)61642-5
  5. Hawke, F., Burns, J., Radford, J. A., & du Toit, V. (2008). Custom-made foot orthoses for the treatment of foot pain. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Published. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.cd006801.pub2
  6. American Podiatric Medical Association. (2017, January 26). Prescription Custom Orthotics and Shoe Inserts | Foot Health | Patients | APMA. https://www.apma.org/orthotics
  7. Cambron, J. A., Dexheimer, J. M., Duarte, M., & Freels, S. (2017). Shoe Orthotics for the Treatment of Chronic Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 98(9), 1752–1762. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr.2017.03.028
  8. Duarte, M. A. (2004). Orthotic Insole Use and Patient Satisfaction in an Outpatient Chiropractic Clinic. The Journal of Chiropractic Education, 18, 50. https://www.footlevelers.com/images/pdfs/clinical-research/Orthotic-Insole-Use-and-Patient-Satisfaction-JCE-2004.pdf