Foot & ankle
Understanding the Benefits of Custom Orthoses for Foot Health
How custom orthoses differ from off-the-shelf inserts, what a podiatry assessment involves, and the conditions where prescribed devices can help.
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April 24, 2024
Written by
Joint Vision
For anyone dealing with foot pain, discomfort or a structural foot problem, the path to relief can involve several different treatments. Custom orthoses are one option. They are more than shoe inserts: they are prescribed devices designed around the structure and function of your own feet.
What are custom orthoses?
Custom orthoses are devices designed to support and influence the mechanics of your feet. Unlike over-the-counter inserts, they are made following a detailed assessment that takes into account your alignment, your gait and the specific symptoms or structural features present.
How they can help
Managing pain
Orthoses can help distribute pressure more evenly across the foot, reducing load on a particular area. They are used in the management of conditions including plantar heel pain, arthritis and bursitis.
Supporting movement
By influencing foot position and load, orthoses can support more efficient walking patterns for people with issues such as flat foot, high arches or leg length difference.
Reducing load elsewhere
Foot position affects the whole lower limb. Better load distribution can reduce strain carried through the knee, hip and back.
Fitting your activity
Whether you play sport, stand for long periods at work, or are managing a specific condition, an orthosis can be prescribed for the demands you place on your feet.
How custom orthoses are made
At Joint Vision in Wollongong, the process begins with a podiatry assessment, which typically includes:
- Biomechanical examination, assessing the movement of the feet and ankles.
- Gait analysis, observing your walking pattern to identify where symptoms are arising.
- 3D foot scanning, to create a precise model of your feet.
Podiatry at Joint Vision
Our podiatrists assess and treat a range of foot and ankle conditions, and work alongside orthopaedic surgeons, physiotherapists and the wider team so that foot care fits with your overall treatment. Orthoses can be designed and adjusted on site, which makes fitting and refinement straightforward.
You can read more about podiatry, foot and ankle care, or book an allied health appointment.
Health decisions should always be made in consultation with a qualified health professional who knows your circumstances.
Information on this website is general and may not apply to your circumstances. It does not replace individual clinical advice. If you have a health concern, use the relevant care pathway or speak with a qualified health professional. Seek urgent help for severe or rapidly worsening symptoms or a possible emergency.
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