Before we answer the all-important question of whether you – or anyone – needs orthotics, let us be very clear on what orthotics are:
Custom foot orthotics are a prescription medical device used to achieve a very specific purpose. They are prescribed following a comprehensive assessment by a registered podiatrist, who specialises in foot function. This is comparable to how an optometrist prescribes custom glasses, or even how a dentist completes fillings for your teeth – they do their assessment, understand the problem, assess it in the light of your mouth and determine what the best solution for you will be, using their experience to create that filling.
Custom foot orthotics are not the gel pads you can get from the chemist or supermarket. Those are just gel pads. When someone gives you something out of a packet, having never seen your feet before or having done a comprehensive assessment, instead offering you a one-size-fits-all solution, this is not a custom foot orthotic.
Unlike gel pads that are marketed as ‘insoles’, ‘footbeds’ or ‘orthotics’ that are ‘meant to’ help absolutely everyone, a pair of custom foot orthotics is only designed for the single person they were created for. More than this, they are created out of a genuine need and medical reasoning. They are not for everyone, and not everyone needs them. But the question you’ve asked is:
So, do you need orthotics?
While many well-meaning podiatrists will jump at the opportunity to say yes and sell you some orthotics ASAP, we’re going to be honest with you. You do not need custom foot orthotics, unless:
- You are experiencing foot or leg pain that orthotics can help with
- You have certain biomechanical or postural issues, like in-toeing, leg length differences, stiff arthritic or fused joints, and much more
- You are unstable on your feet and need greater stability during gait
- You would like to optimise your performance during sport. This is not a medical need, but a want to get that competitive edge by adjusting your foot posture and biomechanics
- You have specific reasons for needing orthotics like to assist your recovery after surgery, or to assist mobility after a surgery
Simply put, there are definitely certain circumstances where orthotics can help. But just like custom prescription glasses, not everyone needs them. If you’re not getting any foot or leg pain, you’re happy with your performance during physical activity, and you haven’t been referred by a specialist for orthotics due to an upcoming procedure or other reason, you most likely do not need orthotics.
Good orthotics consider more than just the feet
If it ever feels like getting a device off the shelf and simply slipping it into your shoe seems all too easy – it probably is. There’s a lot more that goes into an orthotic prescription than we believe our patients ever realise. We consider everything from the demands of the physical activity you’re doing regularly and your job, to your footwear, to the surfaces you’re walking on – and more. We thoroughly study the results of your treadmill gait analysis to make sure that the elements we’re prescribing will work with your entire foot function – and not throw a spanner in the works elsewhere.
This is why it’s very important to only get orthotics from qualified podiatrists that have a comprehensive understanding of both foot biomechanics and orthotic prescription. Otherwise, you may get into a situation where, for example, your orthotic pushes your foot out at the arch with their arch support, but you have weak ankle ligaments on the outside of your ankle, so you then become vulnerable to ankle sprains. In this case, your orthotic should have had features that helped support the external ankle, too.
Orthotics at Sole Motion Podiatry
When you’re prescribed orthotics by one of our podiatrists, you’ll know exactly why, how they’ll be working to help your feet and legs, and what features they’ll have to let them do this. Your foot is 3D-scanned as part of the prescription process, and we go through a comprehensive assessment of your feet and legs, their biomechanics and your gait first.
We’ll ensure your orthotics are working symbiotically with your shoes, and not against them. Often, your orthotics will be working alongside other treatments, so we’ll be monitoring your progress and results. As we start to see the results we want, we can adjust your orthotics as we need to keep your progress at a maximum.
And if you don’t need orthotics?
Then we’ll tell you that! We only prescribe orthotics when we genuinely believe that they will help your foot health. Where your foot problem doesn’t require orthotics, we have ample other innovative solutions and treatments like the Thor laser, NormaTec Hyperice compression, Theragun – and much more.
If you’ve been wondering if orthotics can help you, or have a problem and you’d like to consult a knowledgeable, friendly and genuine team that tells you how it is – we’d love to help. Book your appointment online by clicking here, or call us on 1300 FX FEET.
