Custom Orthotics: Your Questions Answered

A custom orthotic is designed to align the ankle and foot into the most structurally efficient position. While they may look like insoles, they are actually medical devices that are custom made to rectify a foot imbalance. Today, Dr. Joel Segalman, Dr. Stephen Lazaroff, and Dr. Brittany Ciaramello at Performance Foot & Ankle Specialists, LLC are sharing answers to some of the most frequently asked questions they receive about custom orthotics. 

Custom orthotics work much like glasses - they reduce strain and stress on your body by returning your feet into proper alignment. They have a plastic body that helps realign the foot by reducing and redirecting selected motion that happens while walking. They fit into your shoes as comfortably as a shoe liner, but are different in that they are created using custom imprints of your feet. 

Who is a candidate for custom orthotics?

Patients with the following symptoms may find relief with custom orthotics: 

• Focused foot pain;

• Bunions and/or hammertoes;

• Pain in the arch or heel;

• Pain in the leg or knee;

• Pain in the neck, back or hip.

Do I have to wear my custom orthotics all the time?

Orthotics compensate for the deformity in the legs and feet. If they are not used regularly, some of the deformity and symptoms will persevere, and the patient may never fully acclimate to the positive changes that have been created. 

Do I have to “break in” my new orthotics?

For most patients, new orthotics will feel a bit uncomfortable when first wearing them. Some describe it as feeling like they’re standing on a small, firm ball that is putting pressure on the arch of the foot. For others, they feel great right away. In either case, it’s important to ease into wearing them. Because they are changing the way your foot has always been functioning, it can take some time to get used to them. Just keep in mind that they’ll work wonders for relieving your pain. 

Do I need special shoes for my orthotics?

Because you’ll be removing the insole of the shoe and replacing it with the custom orthotic any shoe that has a removable insole will work with your orthotics.

If you want to know if custom orthotics can relieve your foot pain, contact the offices of Dr. Joel Segalman, Dr. Stephen Lazaroff, and Dr. Brittany Ciaramello at Performance Foot & Ankle Specialists, LLC to schedule an appointment.

We serve both New Haven County and Fairfield County areas. Schedule an appointment by calling our Waterbury office at (203) 755-0489 or our Newtown location at (203) 270-6724.