Custom Orthotics Brisbane
What Can Custom Orthotics Do For You?
Custom orthotics are often prescribed for many different reasons. It could be that you have a foot deformity, and an orthotic foot insert will help to correct it. Or it could be to give you extra support or prevent further problems or injuries from occurring.
At Walk Without Pain, the first thing we do is make a diagnosis so that we can be sure that we are giving you the correct and best treatment. If necessary, this could involve an X-ray or ultrasound, and we have ultrasound equipment ready to use at each of our practices. This immediately gives us the information we need for your diagnosis.
There are many different orthotic insoles on the market, but at Walk Without Pain, we can make sure that we get you the best one. We can do this because we have an in-house orthotics laboratory, and this allows us to make any changes or repairs if they are needed.
Simple devices can also be made here. Should your orthotic foot inserts need to be made at a larger laboratory, we can make any modifications for you here at our practice, giving you a precise and comfortable fit.
Orthotics can be used to treat a multitude of problems, such as arthritis, back pain, injuries and plantar fasciitis, to name just a few.
Custom Orthotics Types & Costs
Everyone’s feet are different, and as orthotics can be used to treat such a wide variety of conditions, there are different types of custom made orthotic inserts to suit all patients. At Walk Without Pain, we can provide you with:
- Customised orthotics, which means that your orthotics are designed completely for you so that they meet your needs. These can either be made out of hard orthotic materials or softer materials. The type we make for you will be decided based on your issues, and we will always discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each with you.
- Prefabricated orthotics: while these are not suitable for all patients, they do offer a cheaper orthotics alternative to customised orthotic devices and work for several problems.
- Padded insoles: these can give you extra comfort in your day-to-day living.
At Walk Without Pain, we understand that many people require cheap orthotics but don’t want to compromise on efficiency and quality. If this is the case, you may want to try our Copythotics, which are a slimmer type of orthotics developed by our podiatrist Stephanie Cosgrove. These work out to be much cheaper than custom orthotics cost. To find out if this solution might be suitable for you, please arrange an appointment with one of our podiatrists.
Orthotic Foot inserts
As a podiatrist during the 1990’s, the making of orthotics was a time consuming and, therefore, expensive practice. It took around six hours in my home ‘orthotic lab’ to knock out a pair of orthotics. Since the advent of commercial laboratories through the 1990’s and beyond, there have been many recent advances in the design and manufacturing of custom orthotics.
- Materials have also improved markedly, allowing us to deliver more flexibility and bounce in the devices.
- Plastics are both lighter and more durible
- Computer guided routing of orthotics means that each are of the device can be individually personalised to create strong areas to resist higher forces and ‘weaker’ areas to create a controlled flexion in the device. This improves comfort and shock absorbtion
- A broader range of padding covers are available world wide
- We have moved from a labour intensive use of plaster casting to a more time efficient 3D camera to take foot models
Walk Without Pain Podiatry Clinics has taken advantage of these opportunities to reduce costs and create cheaper orthotics while still providing a custom made orthotic device individual to your needs. This new method still allows for all prescription variables to be available to the podiatrist, and so we can produce a completely custom-made device for around 60% of the cost of the traditional methods of manufacture.
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and Walk Without Pain!FAQs About Orthotic Foot Inserts
Health Insurance Cover For Orthotics
Some health funds may cover the whole cost of these orthotics with no gap. This will depend on your level of cover and insurer.
We have HICAPS claiming available in the clinic so you can avoid being out of pocket for these fees.
Who Might Want Cheaper Orthotics in Brisbane?
- Children whose feet are still growing. It can be expensive to throw away traditional orthotics each year as your child grows. Often health insurance covers all or most of the cost of these cheaper foot inserts.
- People without private health insurance, who are responsible for the whole cost of orthotics out of pocket.
- People who want to reduce out-of-pocket expenses or have no gap (depending on health fund and level of cover).
- If you have orthotics already and would like a…
- Replacement pair
- Second pair / spare pair
- Orthotics to fit into different types of shoes – bigger shoes (runners, boots) or smaller shoes (sandals, dress shoes)
Any downside to this method providing cheaper orthotics?
For some people, yes. Not every person’s condition can be treated with this method. We would need to see you in the clinic to give you specific advice. Complex conditions such as bunions and lower back pain are more likely to require a traditional orthotic. Simpler to treat conditions such as heel pain and forefoot pain generally respond very well treated with this option.
How long do these cheaper foot inserts last?
Around 4 to 5 years in average people. A little less in heavier or more active patients.
Anything else to know about these cheaper orthotics?
Yes! The method of manufacture is by routing from a solid block of material. In our opinion, this is superior to ‘sheet’ methods because the orthotic can be any thickness and shape that we prescribe, not limited to the two sheet thicknesses available. The average thickness of our devices is 3.5 mm. Want to have extra bounce for running? We can cut in a flexible section. Did you flatten your last pair? We can reinforce key areas.
Where Can I Get Orthotics in Brisbane?
Each of our four Brisbane podiatry clinics can help. We are at Hamilton, Indooroopilly, Bribie Island and Toombul (6 days per week). All of our podiatrists are fully trained in orthotic design using this approach. As far as we are aware, no other clinics in Brisbane are using this technology. So whether you’re looking for cheaper orthotic options or custom orthotic inserts in Brisbane, Walk Without Pain got you covered.
Is There an Orthotic for Plantar Fasciitis?
Rest and stretching the foot can help to relieve pain, but most of the time that’s not enough to heal the affected area fully. That’s where orthotics inserts for plantar fasciitis come in. Orthotic insoles for plantar fasciitis can improve the foot’s biomechanics to relieve stress on the plantar fascia, which reduces pain, facilitates healing and allows sufferers to move more easily and get their lives back. However, not all inserts are made equal.
Can the Wrong Orthotics Cause Plantar Fasciitis?
Over-the-counter orthotic inserts are not as effective in treating plantar fasciitis because they are not custom-made to fit the patient’s foot properly and effectively. To treat the condition, you must get to the root of the problem – which store-bought insoles can often mask but not cure. Non-prescription orthotics that aren’t properly fitted or made to measure can even exacerbate the condition by improperly distributing weight, which causes further pressure, irritation, and strain on an already delicate area. Also, over-the-counter inserts are often inferior in quality and don’t last as long as prescription insoles.
What Insoles Do Podiatrists Recommend for Fasciitis?
Made-to-measure orthotics prescribed by podiatrists are a sure way to treat plantar fasciitis. They take into account the foot’s exact measurements and irregularities and redistribute pressure thus reducing pain and stress on the heel whilst optimising healing. Our experts at our Walk Without Pain clinics in Brisbane can create unique, tailor-made-to-measure orthotics that consider the foot’s every minor detail to help the patient cope with the condition, whilst gradually treating it at the same time. A custom orthotic insole can also prevent the formation of bunions, heel spurs and further bouts of plantar fasciitis.
Podiatrist-designed insoles may cost a little bit more than those bought over the counter, however, they are worth every penny because they don’t just mask the condition or make it worse – they actually treat it and prevent further damage. If you want to gain back the freedom of movement without pain, our experienced and passionate podiatrists in Brisbane can help you do just that – simply get in touch. The joy of pain-free movement is only a few clicks away.