Arch Supports Made for Your Feet.
Custom arch supports can help address foot, ankle or leg pain, alignment concerns, pressure points and walking discomfort. At The Podiatry Associates, each device begins with a clinical assessment and is made from a prescription based on the patient’s feet, gait and individual needs.
A Process Built Around Assessment.
The process begins with a biomechanical assessment of the feet and ankles. This includes looking at joint alignment, pressure points, painful areas, tendon and ligament concerns, and other clues that may help explain what is happening mechanically.
A gait analysis is also completed by watching how the patient walks. This helps identify movement patterns or deficiencies that may guide the prescription for a custom arch support.
01. Assessment and Prescription
Examination of the patient, including checking the feet and lower extremity for alignment and determining the appropriate prescription.
02. Casting in the Corrective Position
Taking an impression/cast of the patient’s feet in the appropriate corrective position.
03. Fabrication of the Custom Device
The orthotic is custom-manufactured and carefully adjusted to the individual patient’s needs, ensuring the device provides the appropriate support and correction based on their assessment and prescription.
04. Fitting the Orthotic
The finished device is fitted to the patient’s foot to make sure it feels comfortable, accurate and supportive. We also check how the orthotic sits against the foot.
05. Follow-Up and Ongoing Support
After fitting, patients remain in contact with our Orthotic Coordinator for continued support. Follow-up may include recommendations for additional appointments, adjustments or other orthotic-related needs.
Arch Supports
Casting the Corrected Position.
When a custom device is recommended, the patient’s feet are casted using a non-weight-bearing plaster technique. This allows the foot and ankle to be placed in a corrected, natural position before the impression is taken.
This step is important because the quality of the cast affects the quality of the finished device. A proper cast gives the lab the foundation needed to build an arch support that is corrective, functional and shaped to the patient’s foot.
Contact Us
From Prescription to Finished Device.
Once the casts are complete, they are sent to our in-house orthotic laboratory along with the podiatrist’s prescription. Because we manufacture our own custom arch supports, our team has greater control over the design, materials and adjustments used in each device.
This allows us to create custom arch supports for different foot conditions, footwear needs and individual patient goals, rather than relying on standard device options from outside orthotic labs.
Fitting, Footwear and Follow-Up.
When the arch supports are ready, the patient is fitted to make sure the devices are comfortable, accurate and functioning properly. Footwear is also assessed, because shoes and arch supports need to work together.
When appropriate, our podiatrists can provide a prescription for footwear that better supports the patient’s feet, arch supports and overall treatment plan.
If new footwear is recommended, the patient may be referred to the footwear side of the clinic for help choosing appropriate options.
Support After the Fitting.
Our Orthotic Coordinator helps manage the patient’s arch support experience from start to finish. This includes follow-up, recommendations for additional appointments, coordination with the prescribing podiatrist and support for adjustment or orthotic-related needs.
If a patient has difficulty after receiving their arch supports, they can be scheduled with the prescribing podiatrist for review. Adjustments can often be made through the clinic’s adjustment lab, helping patients avoid unnecessary delays and move toward relief more efficiently.
Once a patient is comfortable and seeing results, additional devices may also be made for other types of footwear.
Custom Arch Supports May Help With:
Heel pain, arch pain, flat feet or high arches
Foot, ankle or leg pain connected to movement or alignment
Pressure points, calluses or recurring foot discomfort
Book an Assessment
Take the First Step.
If you are dealing with foot pain, alignment concerns or discomfort while walking, a proper assessment can help determine whether custom arch supports may be appropriate.