Benefits of Wearing Prescription Functional Custom Orthotics
Many people are unaware of what a Prescription Custom Functional Orthotic is. It is a device that helps to correct or alleviate foot pain by redistributing pressure and weight throughout the feet. This blog post will discuss the benefits of wearing Custom Orthotics and why I chose South Perth Podiatrist for my custom orthotics!
What is Custom Orthotics?

Accommodative orthotics
Have softer materials to allow for additional support and cushioning. It can be used for diabetic foot ulcers, pain from calluses on the bottom of a person's foot, or other uncomfortable symptoms.

Functional orthotics
Designed to treat an abnormal motion of the foot. It can treat pain caused by this abnormal motion and is often used for treating injuries and many musculoskeletal disorders of the foot, knee, hip, and back.
If you are experiencing foot pain and inflammation in your feet or ankle, contact South Perth Podiatrist for treatment.

What are the benefits of Custom Orthotics?
The effectiveness of foot orthoses is significant; they are a great way to relieve foot pain and fatigue in the legs.
Orthotics help many people with foot problems. People who wear them report significantly less/no pain when walking, standing, and running.
Why Choose Stephen Zucal South Perth Podiatrist for Custom Moulded Orthotics?
There are many benefits to choosing a South Perth Podiatrist for your custom orthotics.
We use state-of-the-art equipment and digital scanners to get an accurate diagnosis, correction, and prescription of your feet, arches, and legs before we make them.
South Perth Podiatrists specialize in and offer custom-fit orthotics for various foot problems. They hold your feet in the correct position if you have an arch higher than normal or one that has collapsed.

FAQs
FAQ's About Custom-Made Orthotics
Are custom orthotics necessary?
Podiatrists prescribe orthotics to treat foot problems such as plantar fasciitis, bursitis, tendinitis, diabetic foot ulcers, and relieving foot fatigue and pain. Clinical research studies have shown that the effectiveness of foot orthoses has a significant impact on patients with foot problems. It decreases types of foot pain caused by foot deformities that improve foot functions.
Why is it important to put a foot orthotic in footwear?
It is essential to put orthotics in proper footwear to help stabilize your foot to offload the force causing your particular structure stressed, which causes foot pain. It is designed as a treatment of foot pain to fix the alignment of your foot and ankle in an optimal position enough to support your body while functioning, such as walking, running or standing.
What are the conditions that require orthotics?
Bunions (hallux vagus)
– Bunions are a painful, foot deforming condition that can develop at the base of the big toe and cause localized pain. A Podiatrist may prescribe a wide toe box orthotic to reduce pressure on the area using a firmer material for the insole.
Arthritis
Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid are types of arthritis that can affect the lower extremities causing joint pain. A podiatrist may prescribe orthotics to correct the foot position.
High Arched feet (pes cavus)
– One of the most common reasons why people wear custom orthotics is because they have high arches. If you have a very high arch, your foot muscles tend to work too hard and cause plantar fasciitis, shin splints and mostly knee pain. Orthotics help distribute the weight from your foot back onto your heel, preventing abnormal stress or pronation so that you don’t experience pain in your feet or knees while walking.
Plantar Fasciitis
– One of the most common causes of heel pain is plantar fasciitis. Doctors may sometimes recommend orthotics to support and help relieve pressure from the plantar heel pain and arch pain.
Bursitis
– The fluid-filled sacs in the heels and toes may be inflamed and can lead to bursitis. It brings painful symptoms and swelling to the area. Custom orthotics with heel and arch support can help to ease discomfort and pressure on those areas caused by bursitis.
Flat feet
– A flat foot is a foot deformity that causes foot pain, ankle and back pain. Orthotics can help protect the feet, ankles, and back by supporting the body’s weight and providing cushioning.
Overuse injuries
– Orthotics are recommended for people who’ve had an injury to their lower extremities, often are feet and toes.
In a research article in the journal Foot and Ankle International, this systematic review of 22 studies showed the significance of the effectiveness of foot orthoses, and they concluded that it could prevent recurrence of overuse injuries.
Heel Spurs
– Heel spurs are extra growths of the bones on the back of your heel or bottom that can be painful and swollen. Orthotics can provide pain relief for the foot.
Diabetes
– Sometimes, people with diabetes experience diabetic neuropathy or losing sensation in their feet. When this happens, orthotics can reduce excess stress and pressure, which may lead to foot ulcers.
How are custom made orthotics fitted to my feet?
Making high-quality custom-made orthotics is a detailed process. It means going through a multi-step process through clinical examination of your foot, which includes x-rays.
Clinical examination
Your Podiatrist will observe your lifestyle, the function of your feet (gait cycle) and thorough analysis through the use of imaging tests or x-rays. The initial process in tailoring prescribed orthotics is finding out where the pain is located and which structure usually operates the foot, then figuring out which bones, ligaments, or muscles are stressed out, active, or not working during your gait movement.
Foot impression
This process will take by placing your feet in a neutral position and laying down in a prone position where all the joints in your feet are correctly aligned, and then taking a cast / 3D scan of your foot one at a time.
Manufacturing
Orthotics are made of advanced material. It is vital to fit your orthotics to observe if it functions well with your feet and proper shoes. Make sure you find a provider with many years of experience to get the best service available. Hence, at Stephen Zucal South Perth Podiatrist, we offer foot pain treatment and provide custom-made orthotics bringing the best podiatric medicine in South Perth.
How do I know if I need custom made orthotics?
There is no definitive way to determine this without an in-person evaluation from your South Perth podiatrist. Some people with flat feet find relief by wearing customized arch supports that normalize foot mechanics and reduce pain while walking or running.
What types of shoes can custom made foot orthoses be placed in?
A podiatrist designs orthotics to fit your specific feet and generally will not work well in all types of footwear. You can select shoes with enough space or depth and have removable insoles for orthotics to place. You can look for brands like Asics, New Balance and Brooks.
How often should I wear my foot orthoses?
Your Podiatrist will give you a prescription on how often you will wear your orthotics. Generally speaking, it is recommended to wear them regularly. It takes approximately four weeks before you feel entirely comfortable wearing your orthotics all the time.
As with any new footwear or equipment, we suggest that you not wear them for rigorous physical activity until you feel completely comfortable wearing them.
How do I stop my foot orthotics from sliding forwards?
Installing rug pads to avoid slippage may not be advisable for those with too much sensitivity. You could use your insoles as a template and cut them to fit your shoes. It will be effortless- have scissors handy, or if you’d like a permanent solution, put an adhesive on the bottom of the insole to make sure they don’t move.
What's the difference between an "orthotic" and "orthosis"?
The word “orthotic” is an adjective and is used to modify another word. The term “orthosis” (plural is “orthoses”) is a noun so that it can stand alone, or it may have a modifier before it. Orthosis is a medical term used to define correcting limb overuse conditions or spine disorders by using devices such as orthotics or braces.
Are custom orthotics better than over the counter?
Inserts for shoes can provide additional cushioning or support examples are foot cushion and insoles. They may be made from materials like gel, plastic, and foam. Inserts go into your shoe as a way to provide support at the foot arch or to add the extra cushion on the backend of the shoe. Inserts usually make your shoes more comfortable but are not specifically designed for you to fix any foot problems like pronation or plantar fasciitis.
Custom orthotics are specially designed insoles prescribed by a doctor that mould fit the contours of your feet. They are made to accommodate specific foot structure and gait, providing arch supports that can stabilize and support the entire foot, including the ankle, heel, ball of the foot, etc.
What are the best shoes for custom orthotics?
A podiatrist designs orthotics to fit your specific feet and generally will not work well in all types of footwear. You can select shoes with enough space or depth and have removable insoles for orthotics to place. You can look for brands like Asics, New Balance and Brooks.
Can you have shoes custom made?
Not necessarily, but you need to choose shoes that have more space and removable insoles to accommodate your custom orthotics.
Can I put custom orthotics in any shoe?
You can select shoes with enough space or depth and have removable insoles for orthotics to place in.
Do I need bigger shoes for orthotics?
You can select shoes with enough space or depth and have removable insoles for orthotics to place in.