Custom Foot Orthotics

Custom Foot Orthotics

An orthotic is a corrective medical device that is prescribed and created uniquely for your feet, to help reduce pain, repair damage, and optimise your foot function, to decrease your risk of injury.

If you have a problem or injury where your foot posture or function may have contributed to or caused its development, we may use custom orthotics as part of your treatment and prevention plan.

If you’re unfamiliar with orthotics, they are prescribed in much the same way that prescription glasses are – we start with a comprehensive assessment to understand the extent of the problem, identify any deficits and imbalances, and prescribe orthotics with the right features to help get you back to moving comfortably, feeling good, and doing the things you love. Due to the complex nature of many injuries, orthotics are typically one part of the treatment plan.

Also much like glasses, there are cheap pre-made variations available from the supermarket that are labelled ‘orthotics’ or ‘shoe inserts’. Be careful, these usually serve little purpose other than to add some cushioning beneath your feet when you walk. While they may improve your comfort, their one-size-fits-all model means that they are unlikely to do anything to correct the problems you have or help prevent future injury.

When prescribed correctly, orthotics have the power to help with:

  • Muscle, tissue and bone repair, like in plantar fasciitis heel pain
  • Optimising your gait (foot function during walking)
  • Relieving pressure from injured or painful areas, like a Morton’s neuroma
  • Relieving pain from diseases and conditions like arthritis
  • Improving stability, balance and coordination
  • Correcting problems like leg length differences

At HK Podiatry, our orthotics are created following:

  • A 3D scan of your foot, including capturing the contours and features with 0.5mm precision
  • Video gait analysis to analyse how your feet and legs are functioning (together and separately) while you walk
  • Muscle strength testing
  • Foot posture analysis
  • Testing the range of motion at your joints
  • Injury-specific testing
  • Hypermobility testing for kids

This information is then used by your podiatrist to create a custom prescription for your feet, and is sent to one of Australia’s leading orthotic laboratories to create your orthotics. Back at the clinic, we hand-finish each pair, ensuring it fits perfectly into your shoes and functions exactly as we have designed it to!

If any changes need to be made to the orthotics, we can complete this on site. Often, as your injury improves or your treatment progresses, we may need to make small changes to help you get the best results.

Health fund rebates for orthotics.

Many of our patients want multiple pairs of orthotics made specifically for different pairs of shoes, to stop them having to move their orthotics from shoe to shoe every time. While we offer a discount for the second pair purchased on the day (as you’ll have already paid for the assessment), you can also claim a rebate on a pair of orthotics every year from your private health fund if you have podiatry cover and are eligible. Please note, if you’re unsure of your level of cover or eligibility, you must confirm this with your health fund prior to your appointment.

Ready to take the next step towards feeling great on your feet?

Book your appointment online or contact us today.

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