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Custom Orthotics Guide

There is a time-tested and dependable quote from the Greek Philosopher Plato; “A good decision is based on knowledge and not numbers”. Making the right decision on custom orthotics is exactly the same!



The disappointment in your new orthotics not measuring up to what they meant to do is a great source of frustration and disappointment. 

The right choice is to make an educated decision and buy higher quality orthotics that lasts 2 or 3 times longer and actually serves the purpose they are designed for. Essendon Podiatry Clinic answers 6 of the most common, custom orthotics questions:

Indeed, custom orthotics do work, but you need to find a good podiatrist. Not all podiatrists offer high quality orthotics, so you need to understand the difference between properly prescribed orthotics and inferior low-cost orthotics.

Orthoses are custom designed to address the person’s particular foot problems. There is a wide range of conditions were orthotics can help and only a trained podiatrist with extensive knowledge can assess each specific condition. Below are 7 common recurring conditions custom orthotics can help manage and correct.



• Corns and calluses
• Foot ulceration
• Tendonitis
• Recurrent ankle sprains
• Heel pain
• Recurrent stress fractures of foot and leg bones.
• Front of knee pain

Poorly prescribed orthotics can cause knee or other joint pain. For example, when your foot pronates too far, it may cause your lower leg and knee to rotate internally.

This will cause knee pain and you should have your orthotics reviewed. Our carefully designed orthotics will prevent your foot from improperly pronating. The design of your custom orthotics improves your knee’s alignment to prevent knee pain.

A good podiatrist is hard to find, so you should only use a podiatrist that has proper training and a long history of working with orthotics.

Custom orthotics are prescription only devices made specifically for the individual person and they relate to the unique conditions pertaining to the individual’s foot pathology and structure.

The orthotics exactly match the contours of the feet, to support and provide corrective motion or movement when walking or running. 

Your foot orthotics also provide comfort for every day walking and are specifically designed for athletes who need foot support when running or competing in sport.



Once a podiatrist has conducted a complete evaluation of your feet, a computer-generated mould of your foot is manufactured with a variety of materials, to accommodate your unique foot conditions, pathology and structure.

Every person’s orthotics will wear at different times and there is no specific date for expected decline in quality or effectiveness.

You will need to have your orthotics’ reviewed and serviced every 6 months on average to decide whether or not your orthotics need to be replaced.



Just like shoes your orthotics will wear over time and proper foot alignment will prevent many re-occurring symptoms such as aches and pains associated with incorrect posture and gait.

You could be wasting your money buying custom arch supports that are available at your local shoe store or pharmacy! Prefabricated arch supports are generic by design and are basically pre-packaged arch fillers and not designed for an individual’s prescribed foot condition.

In specific circumstances of sudden or acute onset of foot pain, you may consider a professional grade prefabricated device only available through your podiatrist. 

With this in mind, a professional grade device is not only a timely and cost-effective solution to your foot pain, in many cases, professional grade prefabricated orthotics are an alternative treatment option if your foot type closely mirrors the general shape of the device.

Custom made orthotics are devices prescribed by a podiatrist and are designed for a variety of foot conditions. Custom orthotics are manufactured by design and can only be purchased through your podiatrist.



Your custom-made orthotics are covered by private health insurance and Medicare. For more information please book online or contact Essendon Podiatry Clinic.