Custom Foot Orthotics Brisbane

We are the leading orthotics provider in Brisbane. Our podiatrists excel in custom orthotics, using years of knowledge and experience to prescribe foot orthotics that help relieve the pain of various foot and leg conditions, problems and injuries.

What Are Custom Foot Orthotics?

Often referred to as insoles and footbeds, custom foot orthotics are specialised shoe inserts prescribed to help treat a range of foot and leg problems. Orthotics are usually a key part of an injury management plan. Think of the role of orthotics for your feet like prescription glasses for your eyes, except that you don’t have to wear them forever. Depending on the severity and nature of your injury or condition, orthotics are used as short, medium or long-term treatment options.

How Do Custom Foot Orthotics Work?

The simplest answer is that custom foot orthotics work in whichever way your podiatrist prescribes and designs them. Orthotics will alter the way your foot sits and move, which may look like:

• Alleviating pressure away from a painful joint
  
• Reducing the strain on a tendon or ligament
  
• Changing the way that your feet move during gait (their biomechanics)
  
• Giving the structures through your arch more support
  
• Giving your foot and ankle greater stability
  
• Supporting tired muscles, joints and ligaments in your legs and feet whenever you are standing, to increase your daily comfort and reduce end-of-day fatigue
  
• Enhancing your performance, in sports or daily life
  
• Improving your balance
  
• Aiding in the resolution of acute and chronic injuries
  
• Preventing or healing diabetic ulcers by offloading high-pressure areas or ulcers
  
• Encouraging optimal foot propulsion through your walking and running activities
  
• Addressing any leg length differences you may have
  
• Providing shock absorbing and cushioning abilities that your feet may no longer have
  

Do I Need To Wear Custom Orthotics All The Time?

Using the glasses analogy again, your orthotics work when you're wearing them. If you’re not wearing them, they won’t be helping you at that moment. Once your injury has settled down and you are pain-free, it is usually fine to wear the orthotics for 80% of the time (or less), particularly if you’re going to be on your feet for prolonged periods like during work, sport, or running errands. 

Factors that are individual to you, like the nature of your injury, ultimately determine your long-term relationship with your orthotics. Certain alternative shoe options with in-built arch support, like Birkenstock sandals or Archies, compliment orthotic therapy for that 20% of the time that you're not in your orthotics.

How Are Orthotics Made?

To make custom foot orthotics, our podiatrists start by capturing a 3D digital cast of your foot, which is highly accurate and precise (no more messy plaster casting!). We then perform a comprehensive assessment and get all the information we need - from the muscle strength in your feet and legs to any restrictions in the joints of your feet, to aspects of your foot posture. We capture your gait on our video gait analysis software and also complete an in-shoe pressure assessment. This gives us a complete picture of exactly what is going on with your feet and legs in the context of your pain or injury.

Your podiatrist will then take all of this information to prescribe and design your orthotic using a computerised modelling program. We have control over everything, including selecting the best materials and design modifications that will help you get the best results from your orthotics. This design is sent to our orthotic laboratory, where your custom-made orthotic is either 3D printed using nylon or milled out of EVA.

We always try to do our best for the environment, which is why we love that our 3D-printed orthotics are manufactured using a plant-based material (PA11) that eliminates 99% of the plastic waste generated by traditional orthotic manufacturing processes.

Once your orthotics are completed and returned to us, you come in for a fitting consultation to ensure the device fits your feet and shoes well. Any fine-tuning adjustments to ensure they are comfortable will be completed here, though we can also make changes over time as you wear them more. Given that the orthotics are made for your feet, they should be comfortable. If they aren't comfortable after a gradual wearing-in process, your podiatrist can fix this.

Our podiatrists are in control of modelling your orthotic device every step of the way so we ensure you get the best possible outcomes. We back every foot orthotic as we stand behind our clinical skills and will continue to work with you if you have any concerns regarding your orthotics.

How Do I Know If I Need Orthotics? 

The only way to truly know is through an appointment with your podiatrist. Orthotics can be incredibly valuable and helpful as part of a treatment plan for many conditions and circumstances, but they are not needed by everyone. Here’s a list of common conditions that often benefit from the use of orthotics:

If you are experiencing any kind of foot or lower limb pain or discomfort, give our support team a call, and book in for a consultation with one of our Brisbane podiatrists.

FAQs

Visit one of our Brisbane Podiatry clinics

If you would like to talk to one of our team, visit us at one of two Brisbane based locations, CBD & Newmarket.

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