Prefabricated and Custom Orthotics

If you are experiencing regular foot or ankle pain, orthotic inserts may be a key to finding relief.

Orthotic inserts are tools that slip inside shoes to provide cushioning and corrective support, and are often recommended when the source of a problem is tied to abnormalities in foot structure. They can reduce the severity of your discomfort and even eliminate it altogether, in addition to helping prevent future injuries.

While potentially effective in a variety of ways, examples of conditions we might recommend them for include plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinitis, and prevention of diabetic wounds.

We work with two types of orthotic inserts at Michigan Foot & Ankle Specialists: prefabricated and custom.

Prefabricated Orthotics

Prefabricated orthotic inserts come in a variety of shapes and sizes to broadly address certain foot and ankle needs. 

We carry trusted, high quality brands such as Pure Stride and Redi-thotics, and can customize the fit and effectiveness of them in ways you won’t find when buying them off a store shelf.

Custom Orthotics

Custom orthotics are individually designed to address the specific shape and needs of a patient’s feet, providing exact amounts of cushioning and corrective support where needed. 

To make custom inserts, we first create a cast or image of each foot. Then, based on our evaluation of your needs, we prescribe specific parameters for your orthotics and send all of this information to a lab for production.

A pair of custom orthotics is made only for the person they are prescribed for, and no one else.

What Kind of Orthotic is Best for Me?

This will largely depend on your condition and its causes. For many relatively minor conditions, a pair of prefabricated orthotics will be suitable. If a greater amount of precision and support is needed, however, custom orthotics may be preferable.

You can think of prefabricated orthotics as reading glasses and custom orthotics as prescription glasses. Sometimes the former is enough, but only a prescription will provide more exact results when needed.

Custom orthotics are also made of more durable materials and tend to have a remarkably longer life. When taken care of properly, custom orthotics can last an average of 3 years, compared to about a year for prefabricated models.

custom orthotics

Can Children Benefit from Custom Orthotics?

Yes! However, since children’s feet tend to grow quickly, the time that their custom orthotics are useful can be shortened.

This is why we provide a children’s orthotics protection program to help make them a better investment. If your child outgrows their orthotics within a year, they can be more easily adjusted, refurbished, or replaced.

In some cases, we may recommend prefabricated orthotics for children instead of custom inserts. These should be replaced as often as your child outgrows their shoes, which tends to be no more than 6 months.

How Much Do Orthotics Cost?

The cost of orthotics tends to differ depending on the brand, but custom orthotics will regularly cost more than prefabricated models. This incorporates the customized design and longer-lasting durability.

General estimates of orthotics at our office are:

  • Prefabricated Orthotics: $50-$60 (~$40 for children)
  • Custom Orthotics: $375-$475, depending on modifications

Many insurance programs cover the cost of a pair of custom orthotics per year, and we recommend getting a new pair each year if your plan covers it. Even if your old custom orthotics are still in great condition, a second pair can be made especially for work or sports shoes, and the life of both pairs can be prolonged as you’re not switching one pair between all the shoes you own.

We’ll Find the Best Solutions for Your Foot and Ankle Needs

Orthotics are not always the answer to every patient’s problems. Whatever is, though, our goal will always be to recommend the most effective means of treatment.

To schedule an appointment, call our Dearborn office at (313) 582-6222 or fill out our online contact form!

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ADDRESS

7243 Chase Rd.
Dearborn, MI 48126

PHONE

(313) 582-6222

HOURS

Monday - Friday: 9am - 5pm

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