Custom Orthotics

Benefits · Who Needs Them · Diagnosis · How They Help


What Are Custom Orthotics?

Custom orthotics are prescription medical devices worn inside your shoes, designed to correct the specific biomechanical profile of your feet. Unlike over-the-counter insoles found at a pharmacy, custom orthotics are crafted from a precise mold or digital scan of your individual foot — meaning no two pairs are alike. They can be made from a range of materials, from soft foam and gel to semi-rigid plastic and carbon fibre, depending on the condition being treated and the lifestyle of the patient.


The Benefits of Custom Orthotics

Pain Relief

The most immediate benefit is relief from foot, heel, arch, and ankle pain. By redistributing pressure across the foot more evenly, orthotics reduce stress concentrated in problem areas — often providing relief that shoes, stretching, or rest alone cannot achieve.

Improved Alignment

The feet are the foundation of the entire body. Misalignment can create a chain reaction upward — contributing to knee pain, hip imbalances, and chronic lower back problems. Custom orthotics correct faulty foot mechanics at the source.

Enhanced Performance

Athletes frequently use orthotics to optimise their biomechanics. Better foot alignment improves movement efficiency, reduces injury risk, and enhances endurance by minimising unnecessary strain with each step.

Injury Prevention

Orthotics help prevent overuse injuries like stress fractures, tendinitis, and shin splints by ensuring the foot distributes load correctly during walking, running, or standing.

Reduced Fatigue

People who stand for long hours — nurses, teachers, retail workers — benefit greatly. Orthotics cushion and support the foot, reducing the muscular effort required to maintain balance and posture throughout the day.

Post-Surgical Support

Following foot or ankle surgery, orthotics assist in rehabilitation by protecting the surgical site and promoting proper healing mechanics.

Who Should Get Custom Orthotics?

Custom orthotics are beneficial for a wide range of people, not just those with obvious foot problems. You may be a good candidate if you:

  • Experience chronic heel pain — often a sign of plantar fasciitis
  • Have flat feet (overpronation) or high arches (supination)
  • Suffer from bunions or hammertoes
  • Live with diabetes — at risk of neuropathy and pressure ulcers
  • Have osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis
  • Are an athlete or active person placing repetitive stress on your feet
  • Work on hard floors for extended periods
  • Experience knee, hip, or lower back pain linked to foot mechanics
  • Are pregnant — hormonal changes shift the body's centre of gravity


Diagnosis & Prescription Process

Getting custom orthotics is a clinical process — not a one-size-fits-all purchase. Here's what you can expect:

Step 1 — Initial Assessment

A thorough review of your symptoms, when pain started, what aggravates it, your lifestyle, and any relevant medical conditions.


Step 2 — Physical Examination

The clinician examines your foot structure, range of motion in the ankles and toes, muscle strength, and skin condition for pressure calluses.


Step 3 — Gait Analysis

You'll be observed walking and often running. Pressure-plate technology maps how force travels through your foot across the full stride cycle.


Step 4 — Foot Scanning or Casting

A precise mold is taken via plaster casting, foam box impression, or 3D digital scanning — capturing your foot's exact contours in the corrected, neutral position.


Step 5 — Fabrication

Your prescription is sent to an orthotic lab, where devices are custom-manufactured to the clinician's specifications: material type, degree of correction, and padding.


Step 6 — Fitting & Follow-Up

A fitting appointment ensures comfort and proper fit. A 1–2 week break-in period is normal, with follow-up visits to make any adjustments.

How Custom Orthotics Help: The Science

Controlling Pronation & Supination

The orthotic holds the foot in a neutral or corrected position, preventing excessive rolling inward or outward. This protects joints and tendons from repetitive micro-trauma.


Pressure Redistribution

By shifting load away from painful or vulnerable areas — a diabetic ulcer site, a bunion, or a metatarsal head — orthotics reduce the mechanical stress that causes pain and tissue damage.


Shock Absorption

Cushioned orthotics absorb impact forces during walking and running, protecting joints from the cumulative effects of thousands of steps per day.


Proprioceptive Feedback

Research suggests orthotics improve the body's awareness of foot position, enhancing balance, coordination, and neuromuscular control — especially relevant for older adults and athletes.


Structural Support

In cases of collapsed arches or post-surgical instability, the orthotic acts as a scaffold, maintaining the foot's architecture when soft tissues cannot.



A Note on Coverage

In Canada, custom orthotics are commonly covered under extended health benefits (typically 50–100% up to an annual maximum). A prescription from a physician, podiatrist, or chiropractor is usually required for insurance purposes. Always check your specific plan for details.


Custom orthotics are a medical device — always consult a qualified foot health professional for assessment and a prescription tailored to your individual needs


FAQs

  • How do custom orthotics help with foot and leg pain?

    Custom orthotics are specially made shoe inserts that are designed to support and align the feet. They help to distribute pressure evenly across the feet, reducing excessive stress on certain areas. This can help alleviate foot and leg pain caused by conditions such as plantar fasciitis, flat feet, and overpronation. By providing proper support and alignment, custom orthotics can help improve overall foot function and reduce discomfort.

  • How are custom orthotics different from over-the-counter inserts?

    Custom orthotics are tailored to the specific needs of an individual's feet, while over-the-counter inserts are mass-produced and meant to provide generic support. Custom orthotics are created based on a detailed analysis of the patient's gait, foot shape, and any specific conditions or symptoms they may have. This personalized approach ensures that the orthotics provide the correct amount of support and help address the specific issues causing foot and leg pain.

  • Can I use my insurance to cover the cost of custom orthotics?

    Many insurance plans cover the cost of custom orthotics, but it's important to check your specific policy. At Delta Physiotherapy, we can provide you with a detailed receipt that you can submit to your insurance company for reimbursement. It's recommended to contact your insurance provider to inquire about coverage and any necessary documentation, such as a prescription or referral from a healthcare provider. 


    Our team is also available to assist you with any insurance-related questions and provide any required paperwork to help facilitate the reimbursement process. Don't hesitate to reach out to us for assistance in maximizing your insurance benefits for custom orthotics.