Over the Counter or Custom...what do I do?

Many patients and customers ask what exactly is the difference between an “over the counter orthotic” otherwise referred to as a “foot insert”, “foot correction device” or “foot cushion” versus custom foot orthotics besides the vast difference in price.

Over the counter (OTC) orthotics are items that are prefabricated and do not require a prescription. If you are having initial foot pain and shoes that are correct for your foot type have not assisted with your foot issue, OTC orthotics may be of help.

From therapeutic shoe stores, running shoe stores to super centers, chances are you will see a vast selection of over the counter options. Are OTC’s effective? Yes, they can be as long as you have the right type of orthotic to work in concert with the right shoes for your feet.

While you can attempt to purchase over the counter orthotics on your own, it is highly recommended you work directly with a professional such as a Podiatrist or Certified Pedorthist to determine the level and type of orthotic for your feet. Once the OTC orthotic is in the shoe and on the feet, a gait evaluation completed by a professional is important to ensure the orthotics addressing your foot issue. In some cases, accommodations can be added to an OTC by a professional to further tweak the amount of correction.

If after a period of time you are still experiencing foot issues, custom orthotics maybe a consideration. A custom orthotic sometimes called a total contact insert is a custom made over a model of the foot. The orthosis achieves total contact with the plantar (bottom) surface of the patient’s foot.

A properly custom designed orthosis can:
Relieve areas of excessive plantar pressure by evenly distributing pressure over the entire plantar surface.
Reduce shock through the use of shock-absorbing materials.
Reduce shear since the total contact minimizes horizontal foot movement.
Accommodate deformities with the use of soft, moldable materials in the shell.
Stabilize and support deformities and limit joint motion.

First, meet with your local Podiatrist for a complete foot exam. If a decision is reached between your Podiatrist and yourself for you to receive custom orthotics, an actual cast or a high level foot scan is completed for custom orthotics. A foot scan is beyond what you will see in a retail environment as the Podiatrist or Pedorthist utilizes specialized software programs to adjust the amount of correction or offloading pressure areas of the foot. In most cases, the scan or custom casts are sent out to a laboratory for processing. The normal turn around time is anywhere from 2-6 weeks depending on the lab volume, amount of correction or special materials requested for your custom orthotics.

At Healthy Steps, we utilize both traditional casting and electronic scanning methods. Stop in and visit with our staff to learn more about our in store solutions for your feet!