Custom Orthotics vs Over the Counter Orthotics: Which One Is Better for You?

Both types of orthotics have their benefits and drawbacks, and several factors will affect your choice. This article will explore custom orthotics vs over-the-counter orthotics in-depth to help you decide which one is best for your needs.

Custom Orthotics Vs Over-The-Counter
Orthotics (Insoles)

The benefits of orthotics devices include relief from pain and discomfort. They are also helpful for returning to normal walking or gait, a medical condition or foot deformity. 

The main difference between custom orthotics and prefabricated ones is that custom ones are made by a professional to correct disorders/conditions of your feet, while prefabricated ones are not custom-made. 

It is undoubtedly an individual decision that comes down to the specific foot problems you are experiencing. However, qualified podiatrists will always give sound advice when choosing between custom orthotics and over-the-counter orthotics. When you compare the two, there are many differences which can be a factor in your decision.

 

Custom Orthotics

It is often referred to as custom prescription orthotics, which are made by a qualified podiatrist. It is done after conducting a thorough health history, including a biomechanical assessment, the measurements of your feet, x-rays or scan, gait analysis, body weight, height and even lifestyle to assess what type of custom orthotics would be best for you. Custom made orthoses have a specific purpose for treating a foot condition in which the goal is to reduce foot pain and correct gait movement. 

OTC Orthotics (insoles)

Over-the-counter inserts come in both basic and more supportive varieties. Basic over-the-counter devices can be purchased through pharmacies, grocery stores and other retail stores, while more supportive orthotic devices can be found at pedorthic facilities. Prefabricated inserts come in many varieties, such as insoles, arch supports, heel liners, and foot cushions, though not all provide equal levels of support.

What are the differences between Custom Orthotics & Over-The-Counter?

Fit

Custom orthotic fabrication typically includes a diagnostic examination and evaluation to determine the best materials and level of rigidity/flexibility, followed by an impression/3 dimensional scanning of your feet. From this, CNC machines and computer software making calculations and measurements of the individual biomechanics are eventually used to fabricate orthotics specifically for you, which guarantee a perfect build of your feet and can also be made to fit your shoes.

Prefabricated insoles are ready-made and easy to find in stores, but they often come with a hassle when you have shoes that are all slightly different sizes (which can happen if you try on many brands). It may be difficult to cut them down into size if this happens because they might not fit perfectly anymore.

Quality and Durability

Custom-made foot orthotics are made from materials that have high durability and are therefore significantly more expensive to produce but will provide you with an overall better experience while saving money in the long run because they fit precisely into each shoe and can last anywhere from months to years, depending on the severity of any underlying condition.

Over the counter insoles, on the other hand, are a convenient way to bring comfort to your feet but are often made without the best quality materials, which can wear out quickly and won’t have a long shelf life. Insoles are usually only offered for months or weeks before they need to be replaced.

For foot condition treatments, contact Stephen Zucal South Perth Podiatrist. We offer a variety of custom corrective orthotics with advanced technology.

FAQs

FAQ's About Orthotics

The benefits of custom orthotics include far better correction of foot posture than prefabricated ones, more advantages in comfort, construction with durable materials, custom-fit/correction around the whole foot, and providing relief for your feet. Putting custom orthotics in place corrects the abnormalities of how your feet hit the ground. With all this support, you’ll not only feel relief in your knees and hips but also experience a more natural gait!

Since a podiatrist prescribes it, it can modify them, creating comfort as you continue using them. The materials used can be modified so that they’ll serve their purpose better than many other devices on the market today; these customisation options give them increased durability while still being comfortable enough to walk in!

Custom-made foot orthoses can treat various major foot conditions such as plantar fasciitis, bunions, flat feet, high arches, and even people with rheumatoid arthritis, diabetic foot ulcers, and many other conditions.

A type of orthotics can be considered, and you will know what the right one for you is.

Functional Orthotics

-use bio-mechanical applications to influence the foot’s motion and alter the forces acting on it to improve foot function.

Accommodative Orthotics

-can be made with soft material for support and cushioning. It is used to offload a particular area of your foot for pressure relief; it uses an option for alleviating symptoms caused by diabetic foot ulcers, calluses on the soles of a person’s feet, or discomfort from other symptoms.

Custom-made functional orthotics are an excellent investment as they provide accurate biomechanic assistance and can be modified to fit the wearer perfectly. With advanced technology available today, materials that offer customised support and comfort abound! These foot orthotics have a longer lifespan than over the shelf ones, together with a case by case prescription-no two feet are the same!. 

A few factors that determine the choice of orthotics include:

  • Consider your foot conditions, symptoms, and how they affect your overall body function through a biomechanical assessment.
  • correct foot impression/scans to get the right prescription for orthotics
  • On the prescription of a podiatrist.
  • your gait movement
  • Manufacturing and different materials are used to accommodate needs specific to a condition.

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