Orthotics are orthopedic devices that are used to treat a variety of biomechanical foot disorders. Whenever a person’s foot is not functioning as designed, the weight of the body is not properly transferred and distributed. Custom made orthotics are specifically designed to meet the needs of the individual patient.

There are various ways in which custom orthotics can be manufactured:

Thermoforming

The Podiatrist will insert a pair of flat orthotics into a specialist machine and will then ask the patient to stand on top of the machine and on top of the orthotic underneath. The Podiatrist will align your feet into a neutral stance to allow the orthotic underneath to mould to the shape of your foot. It will feel like you are stood in sand which is gradually heating up. What the machine is actually doing is moulding the orthotic to your unique footprint. The Podiatrist will then fit the orthotic to your chosen shoe. This is the tried and tested technique used.

Slipper Casting

Plaster slipper casting involves applying plaster directly to the foot in order to capture the contours and shape of your foot. The casting will be done with you lying down on your stomach or seated with your foot in the air. This is a non-weight bearing technique and takes 5-7 minutes. The cast will then be sent to an orthotic laboratory where the orthotics will be manufactured and returned to your Podiatrist to be fitted.

Foam Box Casting

An impression of your feet will be taken in a foam box, so that an accurate mould can be made of your feet. Then plaster of paris will be poured into the impression to create a cast model of your feet. The casts are then sent off to an Orthotics Laboratory and the devices are made according to a prescription made by the Podiatrist. The results of your biomechanical assessment and video gait analysis may also be sent to the lab so that the technicians have an accurate understanding of what the orthotic needs to do. The orthotics will then be returned to the Podiatrist and fitted for you.

Injected Liners

Injected liners are often used on ski boots. This technology consists of injecting PU foam into your ski boot liners to create an orthotic.

By carrying out this procedure directly on the patient’s foot, the technician obtains a liner that is 100% customized to the shape of your foot. The injected liners reduce fatigue and injury risks of slips and falls. You can then get the most out of the snow-covered slopes.