Custom Orthotics
What’s Custom, What’s Not
Not All Orthotics Are Created Equal
Many different kinds of in-shoe inserts are referred to as “orthotics”. Arch supports and insoles sold in drug, sports and shoe stores are increasingly referred to as “orthotics”.
There are also the orthotics that foot health care specialists and related professionals prescribe for their patients.
Know Your Options
For most people, telling the difference between various types of orthotics and making an informed decision is a challenge. The following is some information that may help inform your decision making…
Why We Don’t Rely on Pressure Mapping Computers for Orthotic Assessments
At The Foot Health Centre, your orthotic care is guided by nearly 30 years of clinical expertise — not computers. While pressure mapping devices can offer visual demonstrations of pressure points, they have significant limitations and are often used as sales tools in non-regulated settings.
As regulated foot specialists, we are trained to assess areas of high and low pressure ourselves — through hands-on, comprehensive biomechanical evaluation — without relying on technology that cannot capture the full picture of your foot function.
Your care deserves more than computer images — it deserves experience, skill, and sound clinical judgment.
→ Learn more about the limitations of pressure mapping and how we assess your feet
Experience the Difference at The Foot Health Centre
The Three Common Types of Foot Orthotics
Off-The-Shelf
A generic retail product, commonly found in various sport & health stores
Customized
A pre-manufactured orthotic, that is modified.
Custom
A medical device designed specifically to match your feet.
OFF THE SHELF
Off-the-shelf inserts are commonly found in retail, drug, sports and shoe stores as well as some specialty shops. Some foot health care professionals recommend them for minor foot problems and they are generally inexpensive. The better quality off-the-shelf inserts can provide a good measure of support and cushioning.
CUSTOMIZED
Customized inserts are also available and can be difficult to tell apart from true custom foot orthotics. They are commonly a product of walking on a mat that captures and displays pressure information and are typically made by changing or adding pieces to a pre-made insole. Unfortunately, they are opften referred to as “custom” and also sold at similar prices to a custom orthotic. One way to tell the difference between custom and customized is whether a three dimensional non-weight bearing plaster cast or digital scan is taken of the foot. If not, then your orthotics are not custom.
CUSTOM
Custom foot orthotics are a medical device made from non-weightbearing casts or scans of your feet. They are often used to address injury causing motions including excessive pronation (collapsing-in) and supination (rolling-out) and to make standing, walking and running more efficient. Some custom foot orthotics are designed to lesson the pressure on the bottom of the foot in order to ease pain from corns and calluses.
True custom foot orthotics are made by starting with a detailed exam from a qualified foot health care professional (chiropodists/podiatrists are the only provincially regulated profession for orthotics). Following the exam, the practitioner will take impressions of your feet (three dimensional plaster or scan) and complete a detailed orthotic prescription and work order. Your casts/scans are then sent to a qualified lab where your orthotics are made by technicians with specific training and qualifications. Some clinics also fabricate custom orthotics in an in-house lab.
Step Into Better Foot Health
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(289) 252-0330
609 William Street, Unit 2A
Cobourg, ON K9A 3A6