Before we delve into that, let’s take a brief look at what orthotics are and what they’re used for.
Custom orthotics are orthotics that are prescribed by a podiatrist and made in an orthotics laboratory from a 3D impression of your foot. They are custom-made for your feet and designed to support, improve, align your foot posture or treat whatever foot condition you are suffering from.
Many of the injuries and foot conditions we see at Cartwright Podiatry are due to poor or abnormal biomechanics which, in turn, can significantly impact the legs, feet, pelvis and spine.
Plastics and high-density foams are typically used to correct biomechanics and while initially, they appear extremely rigid, in time they become fairly comfortable.
Not only do orthotics alleviate pain but they can also prevent existing foot conditions from getting any worse.
So, now you know what orthotics are, let’s look at how they’re made in an orthotics laboratory.
To get custom orthotics, a person requires a prescription. This contains all the necessary information for an orthotics laboratory to manufacture your bespoke orthotics.
At the laboratory, your prescription will be reviewed, and the manufacturing process will begin. The cast is pressed against a sheet of graphite material or plastic under extreme heat. Then a stable comfortable material is used to create a cover that is secured to the heel and arch structure of the biomechanical device.
Graphite or polypropylene is used to create a rigid yet flexible foundation. Cushioning materials made from silicone, neoprene, or vinyl acetate are then added.
Once the orthotic(s) have been completed, they will be despatched from the orthotics laboratory and sent back to the podiatrist to be fitted into the patient’s footwear.
That’s one way of making custom orthotics but they can also be manufactured using other methods including 3D laser scans.
