top of page

Custom Orthotic Therapy 

IMG_4565.HEIC

Custom Orthotics: Personalized Support for Your Feet


Your feet are the foundation of your body—providing balance, mobility, and stability every day. At Foot and Ankle Center of Iowa, we believe that properly supporting your feet is essential to maintaining overall health and preventing pain. Custom orthotics offer personalized support by correcting misalignments and alleviating pressure, helping you move comfortably and confidently.

Unlike over-the-counter insoles, our custom orthotics are precisely crafted from 3D laser scans of your feet to match your unique anatomy. Then your foot and ankle specialist will write a prescription specifically to your foot and your unique concerns. This tailored approach ensures optimal support, comfort, and function—whether you’re an athlete, on your feet all day, or managing chronic foot pain.

Why Choose Custom Orthotics? 

​Custom orthotics offer numerous benefits over prefabricated or medical-grade insoles:

  • Personalized Fit and Precision

    • Crafted from advanced 3D laser scans of your feet, custom orthotics are designed to accommodate your individual foot shape and biomechanics. This ensures superior comfort, alignment, and correction.

  • Long-Term Durability and Support

    • While medical-grade prefabricated orthotics typically last about 1 year, custom orthotics can provide reliable support for over 5 years, thanks to their high-quality materials and structural integrity.

  • Injury Prevention and Pain Relief

    • Proper foot alignment reduces stress on the feet, ankles, knees, hips, and lower back—minimizing the risk of injury or re-injury and enhancing your body’s overall biomechanics.

​

Conditions Treated with Custom Orthotics

Custom orthotics can significantly improve a wide range of foot and lower body conditions, offering both relief and preventative benefits.

Foot Conditions

  • Plantar Fasciitis – Reduces strain on the plantar fascia to alleviate heel pain.

  • Flat Feet (Pes Planus) – Supports arches and controls overpronation.

  • High Arches (Pes Cavus) – Redistributes pressure and improves shock absorption.

  • Bunions & Hammertoes – Reduces pressure points and realigns foot structure.

  • Morton’s Neuroma – Alleviates nerve compression and discomfort.

  • Metatarsalgia – Cushions the forefoot and reduces pain.

  • Heel Spurs – Minimizes impact and pressure on the heel.

Ankle & Leg Conditions

  • Achilles Tendonitis – Supports the heel and reduces tendon strain.

  • Ankle Instability – Enhances balance and prevents excessive motion.

  • Shin Splints – Eases stress on the shinbone through better alignment.

Knee, Hip & Lower Back Conditions

  • Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (Runner’s Knee) – Reduces knee stress by correcting foot posture.

  • IT Band Syndrome – Improves gait and prevents overuse strain.

  • Hip Pain & Sciatica – Promotes postural support and reduces nerve irritation.

  • Lower Back Pain – Enhances body alignment to decrease spinal strain.

Diabetic & Arthritic Foot Conditions

  • Diabetic Foot Complications – Prevents ulcers and deformities by reducing pressure points.

  • Rheumatoid & Osteoarthritis – Provides cushioning and reduces joint stress.

Sports & Occupational Concerns

  • Overuse Injuries – Helps prevent stress fractures and soft tissue injuries.

  • Work-Related Foot Pain – Supports individuals who stand for extended periods.

​

FAQ's

  • Medical-grade prefabricated orthotics are designed to fit a broad range of foot types. In contrast, custom orthotics are made specifically for your feet using 3D laser scanning technology. They offer a higher level of personalization, precision, and correction—providing better long-term outcomes.

    • Lifespan: Medical-grade orthotics last approximately 1 year, while custom orthotics typically last 5+ years.

    • Material Quality: Custom orthotics use advanced materials for better shock absorption and durability.

  • The process begins with a painless 3D laser scan of both feet. Your foot and ankle specialist then designs the orthotics based on your scan, incorporating any necessary modifications for support or pressure relief. based on your unique foot characteristics and needs. The orthotics are then fabricated using precise 3D printing technology.

  • This can vary based on time and year and the lab schedule, however custom orthotics are typically ready within 2.5 to 4 weeks from the time of your scan.

  • Yes! Custom orthotics are frequently combined with physical therapy, anti-inflammatory treatments (oral or topical), and advanced modalities such as MLS Laser Therapy.  Our goal is to get you painfree and back to doing the things you love as quickly as possible and to help resolve your issues long-term. The utilization of multiple evidence based treatment modalities often helps us to achieve this quicker. Orthotics are also effective for ongoing use to prevent recurrence of foot and ankle issues.

  • The time it takes to experience relief from custom orthotics can vary significantly from person to person. Several factors influence the timeline, including:

    • Duration and severity of symptoms

    • Foot type and biomechanics

    • Daily activity level and occupational demands

    • Consistency in wearing orthotics with supportive footwear

    • Use of additional treatment modalities (e.g., physical therapy, MLS Laser Therapy, anti-inflammatory medications)

    Some patients notice improvement within a few days to weeks, while others may require several weeks of consistent use to feel the full benefits. Your provider will work closely with you to monitor progress and make any necessary adjustments to ensure the best outcome.

  • In most cases, custom orthotics are not covered by insurance. However, our team is here to help guide you through the process and discuss your options.

     

    While some insurance plans do not provide coverage for orthotics at all—and we may not submit to those plans due to their consistent non-coverage—we typically do submit claims to most insurers to determine if your specific plan offers any benefits. If you would like to verify coverage before starting treatment, our team can provide you with the necessary information and steps to contact your insurance provider. We’re committed to helping you make informed decisions about your care and will support you through every step of the process.

bottom of page