Custom Made Orthotics:
Custom-made orthotics are medical devices that support and gently reposition the heel, arch, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and bones in the feet, enabling these structures to work together as nature intended, to make each step you take pain-free.
Unlike shoe inserts bought over the counter, custom-made orthotics are built from molds of your feet to meet your unique needs. They’re typically made with comfortable thermoplastic materials, which are guaranteed to last for years, and can be designed to fit in dress shoes, athletic shoes, boots, and skates.
What is the difference between Pre-Fabriacated and Custom Made Orthotics?
There are basically two types of foot orthotics: pre-fabricated devices and custom made.
Pre-fabricated orthotic products are mass-produced and easily available in your local pharmacies, supermarkets, shoe and athletic stores, as retail items or by prescription. Anyone can purchase mass-produced, over-the-counter foot orthotics, just as anyone can purchase a non-prescription pain reliever, and the buyer decides when, where, how and how long to use the product.
Custom-fabricated devices, are created for a specific individual, and most frequently address health issues, so are prescribed by a healthcare provider to help deal with one or more specific condition. Custom made orthotics or foot-and-ankle orthotics are intended to fit a particular foot, for a particular purpose. Custom made foot orthotics are created especially for one person and made from a 3D cast of a person’s foot.
What does a custom made orthotic look like?
Appearance depends on the job the orthotic is intended to perform. It can be short or long, thin or thick, made of one material or made of several materials combined. It can be rigid, semi-rigid or flexible, and it can come in a variety of colors.
How long do orthotics last?
Orthotic materials are chosen based on the individual’s level of activity, age, physical condition and foot structure. Because those factors will change, so will the person’s orthotic needs. Durability of materials is a consideration in orthosis fabrication, because the orthotic must remain strong enough to do its intended job. However, the lifespan of an orthosis should be measured not by when it wears out but by how long it adequately meets the foot’s changing needs. Appropriateness is far more important. Selecting materials which have both the required strength and the necessary sensitivity to the patient, demands knowledge and experience.
Casting Techniques
In determining the type of casting method to use the pedortist must evaluate the condition to be treated and know the preferred casting method for the condition.
Methods of Casting include:
- Plaster Bandage / Slipper Cast
- Foam Box / Biofoam
- Wax
- Direct Mold
- Computerized