Custom foot orthotics and insoles, manufactured in our own lab
There are a large variety of different styles of custom foot orthotics specifically prescribed for different conditions. The type of condition you have, and the details from your biomechanical assessment will influence which custom foot orthotics we would prescribe and manufacture for you. We can provide custom foot orthotics in any of our clinics across Scotland including Hamilton, South Lanarkshire near Glasgow, biomechanical assessment clinic, Aberdeen orthotic clinic, Sport orthotics Ayr and our newest orthotic and biomechanics clinic in Edinburgh.
For further details as to where you can access our services across Scotland click on the links below
We make custom orthotics specifically to the prescription and also dependant on your activities, sport and footwear. Your podiatrist or Orthotist will discuss the possible custom orthotic design requirements at your biomechanical assessment.
Our orthotics are fitted and finished while you wait in our on-site orthotic lab, servicing all of our clinics across Scotland. Information is provided below on some of the orthotics we may prescribe for you.
How are your custom orthotics made?
Non weight-bearing plaster cast method
Custom orthotics are uniquely made for each indivdual patient with the integral prescritpion features built into the orthotic insoles (or orthoses) as they are manufactured.
They can be made in a variety of ways, with the cast method involving taking a plaster cast or impression of the foot, to allow the orthotics to be manufactured exactly to the contours of the foot in the corrected prescription
There is still a requirement to take plaster casts despite the newer scanning technologies or the convenience of impression boxes that many other clinicians prefer due to their ease of use. The issue with certain foot and ankle conditions are that the position of the foot and ankle changes dramatically even when partially weight bearing in an impression box. This means any alignment issue is replicated in the impression box.
Equally, some conditions require passive correction by hand and therefore 3D scanning restricts the ability to do this. Before choosing which private biomechanics and orthotics clinic to use, be sure to investigate how they may capture your alignment before investing in your orthotics.
If you are going to make the investment in orthotics, be sure your clinician is prepared to invest the time in you and the manufacture process to ensure the best outcome for biomechanical issues.
3D Scan & Print
3D scanning technology is the latest way in which we can design your orthotics to be accurate and effective. We usually cast or scan in a non-weight bearing position to ensure we capture the foot in a more neutral position and to maximise control from the orthotics that we prescribe and manufacture.
What orthotics are available?
Functional Foot Orthotics
Functional foot orthotics (FFO's) are probably the most common type of prescription orthotics.
These orthotics are used for biomechanical problems which are relatively easily controlled. They do this by persuading your foot to work within "normal" biomechanical limits. In normal biomechanics the foot will roll in (pronate) and out (supinate) to allow the foot to work efficiently. in many biomechanical problems.
They can be 3/4 length or full length with various designs, wedges and cushioning dependant on the individual patient needs.
By restoring the natural movement of your foot this prevents the symptoms caused by abnormal biomechanics.
Heel Cups
Heel cups are used for more significant biomechanical issues or feet that require more significant control. Some examples of these are severe over pronation, or arthriitis.
A heel cup is designed for issues where the proantion and supination of the foot needs to be significantly controlled. This is where a foot that is painful on movement due to a significant injury or wear and tear e.g. arthriitis.
They are made from plastic and control the foot very firmly. However, they can have cushioning to provide some shock absorption.
Total Contact Insoles
Total contact insoles are designed to follow the shape of the foot very intimately, and are especially useful for the high arched foot or under pronator.
The "exact" fit means pressure areas are reduced when wearing these particular orthotics. These are made using either a plaster cast or laser scanning (CAD CAM) and are made from EVA (foam) of different density to either control or cushion the foot.
They would be wedged and padded as required to control the biomechanics of the foot.
