Foot orthotics

Foot orthotics – proper support for the foot and relief for many symptoms

Foot orthotics are specialised inserts which sit in your shoes, under your feet, to support, correct and align all bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and plantar fascia in each of your feet. They are used to improve foot function, support the foot as the foundation for the body and to redistribute weight through the foot and lower limb.

A podiatrist will only prescribe foot orthotics after a comprehensive biomechanical assessment.

At The Foot Group, we use two types of foot orthotics: soft and semi-flexible/firm. These may be by special prescription – or customised to your foot.

We prescribe special foot orthotics

Prescription foot orthotics are custom made to accurately fit your foot and treat your foot or lower limb condition using digital cad/cam technology. The Foot Group uses laser to scan the foot. The image generated is then sent to a specialist digital orthotic laboratory which manufactures the prescription foot orthotics to create the perfect shape for your foot, maximising comfort and functionality.

We have a reputation amongst health professionals as being the experts in biomechanical assessment and orthotic prescription taking the following factors into account:

• Site of injury or problem
• Type of injury or problem
• Degree of correction needed
• Activity level
• Type of activity
• Body weight
• Footwear
• Patient convenience and timeframes

We customise foot orthotics

Customised orthotics are prefabricated foot inserts made out of EVA foam and held in stock at our clinic. They are matched to your foot size and your footwear and then the orthotic is then customised by the podiatrist to achieve the therapeutic effect the podiatrist has diagnosed as necessary.

Orthotics are not just "arch supports"

The foot is an engineering marvel that requires more expertise than basic arch supports to address complex biomechanical problems.

Foot orthotics support the entire foot, whereas "arch supports" only pack the area under the arch. While this can feel comfortable in the short term, long-term use of arch supports may weaken the arch of the foot and can lead to other biomechanical problems in the feet, ankles, knees, hips or lower back. 

Foot orthotics do not directly support the arch but rather improve the overall foot function, enabling the body's own support mechanisms to function efficiently. This leads to stronger, healthier feet and, in most cases, relief of symptoms.

When walking, each time your heel lifts off the ground it forces the toes to carry one half of your body weight.