Are Custom Orthotics Worth The Price You Pay?

No one wants to go through their life dealing with a lot of pain in their feet, back, and hips. They may try to use different methods that will alleviate a lot of the pain, but many times it seems to get worse before they will go to a doctor for some help.

When you suffer from pain throughout the body, you may find your mobility limited and worry there are no solutions. One solution that your doctor may recommend for this type of pain is to get a pair of custom orthotics.

These orthotics can be fitted well to your feet, fixing some of the issues that may be causing some of the pain in the first place. But since these medical devices can be more expensive than over-the-counter insoles, many patients choose to forgo getting a pair.

There are a lot of benefits to getting a pair of custom orthotics, despite the cost. If you are dealing with pain that will not go away, then the pair of custom orthotics can make a lot of sense for your needs.

Let’s take a closer look at what these custom orthotics are and why they are such a good option and learn about the details of the typical custom orthotics cost.

Many patients are going to find that a pair of custom orthotics will make sense for them. These medical devices will be designed to work specifically for your foot, allowing you to get customized care and correction each time you take a step or walk around.

This can provide relief and comfort in a way that many other treatments can’t. Custom orthotics are considered prescription medical devices that will be created out of a 3D impression or a mold of your foot.

Because they are designed specifically for your foot, they will be more expensive, but they also work well to provide some of the relief that you need, so the additional cost can make a lot of sense.

The right custom orthotic will slip right into your shoe and will help to improve, correct, and support the foot posture and help handle some of the foot pathologies that you may experience on a daily basis.

Over time, our feet can get worn out and may not perform the way that we would like. Whether we are dealing with foot complications from diabetes, plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendon, or another issue, these custom orthotics will be able to step in and provide some of the good relief that we need.

When you get a pair of custom orthotics, you will need to go through a complete physical assessment of the foot to make sure the orthotic is designed perfectly. This usually includes several steps to get the work done.

Your doctor will want a full report of your symptoms, will take a personal history of any injuries and other problems you may have had in the past, complete a footprint or foot cast, and then they can fabricate and design the orthotic based on all of this information.

Because there are so many steps that come into production, you need to make sure that you choose a medical professional who can handle the work and will be able to create a medical device that is unique to you.

Expert-designed Custom Orthotics With Consultations Are More Expensive

In addition to an in-depth production process, you will find that most custom orthotics need to be created by a specialist. You will need to work with someone who understands how biomechanics work and can really help make a medical device that works for you. This will require you to work with specialists for the best results.

Cost of Custom Orthotics Will Be Affected by Resources

Depending on the needs of your feet, you may need some unique resources along with your orthotics, and this can make the price go up more than before. Your foot issues, your lifestyle, and your habits will all need to be taken into account by your podiatrist to help figure out which orthotics will be right for you and can help you get relief.

For example, the podiatrist will work with you to pick out the right materials that can not only treat the specific condition of your feet but can handle the strain that you will put on them over a few years. They can decide whether you need a rigid orthotic to keep the foot in place or one that is soft and flexible to provide the support that your foot needs.

Custom Orthotics Cost More Because They Are Personalized for Your Foot Issue

And finally, the cost of a custom orthotic can be higher because you will be able to personalize them for the foot issue that you need. These personalized orthotics are designed to suit all of the curves and other issues of the foot while providing a good deal of support throughout the whole length of the foot.

Customization can be important for making the orthotic as effective as well, but it will require expert effort and more time. Both of these are going to be more expensive compared to some of the one size fits all solutions that you would like to choose instead.

When you look at all of these factors, you will find that the cost of a pair of custom orthotics will be worth it and not as bad as it seems. And since a lot of custom orthotics can be covered by your insurance plan, you may find that you won’t have to pay for the full amount of the orthotic to see results.

Why are Custom Orthotics Worth the Cost?

Now that we know how much these custom orthotics are going to cost for us to get put into our shoes, it is time to take a look at why they are worth the higher cost. Sure, you could go online or to a local store and find a pair of insoles that are between $30 and $50.

Generic insoles may provide some relief. But they won’t provide the full relief and effectiveness that you need.

When you have a serious problem with your feet and you need to get some help from an injury or a lot of pain in your feet and legs, a custom orthotic is the way to go, even with the higher price tag.

When you pick out a custom orthotic, you will find that there are a lot of differences in the materials that are used in the orthotics compared to the ones that you will find in an over-the-counter insole. The materials are much sturdier and meant to last.

You can often wear the custom orthotics for three to five years, compared to a few months with insoles. There are different types of materials that are used in your custom orthotics. Some of these include:

• Thermoplastics: These are materials that will soften when you heat them up and can harden when you cool them. They can be sold in different strengths and thicknesses so work well with the orthotic you are creating.
• Polypropylene: This is a plastic that has a high amount of stiffness and low specific gravity. They are strong while being really light, which makes them perfect for throwing into your shoe and reducing your pain.
• Subortholen Family: This is a great option to use and it is really tough and flexible at the same time. Its characteristics of it will make sure that it has a higher melt strength and deep draw without having to thin out. It is easy to adjust it when needed if necessary.
• Acrylic: There are a few different types of acrylic that you are able to use for your orthotics as well. It is one of the first synthetic materials that you can use for your orthotics but often they can crack so they are found more in the insoles than custom orthotics.
• Composite carbon fibers: These will help create a rigid-sheet material and will be able to provide a functional and thin orthotic for your needs. These can be good for rigid orthotics but are hard to work with.
• Cork: This is a natural material that is combined together with some rubber binders to provide a great choice for an orthotic. It creates a firm and forgiving orthotic that is easy to adjust with the use of a sanding wheel if needed.
• Leather: This was a material used for a lot of arch supports in the beginning. This is a good option to choose if you need a good amount of support, but the firmer plastics are causing some pain for the patient.
• Polyethylene foams: This is a broad category when it comes to the materials that are going to be used. They are good for total-contact, pressure-reducing orthotics, though they may struggle with some compression if the orthotics work all the time.

All of these materials can work well based on the type of orthotic that you would like to put into your shoe.

The reason that you are getting the orthotic and how often you will need to wear it can all be a factor in this as well. Since the materials are higher in quality, the cost of the orthotic is going to be higher too.

Custom Orthotics Alleviate Pain, Which Makes Them Worthwhile

The number one reason that patients are going to choose to go with a pair of custom orthotics is that they will reduce the amount of pain that the patient is feeling. There are many sources of pain in the feet, and the longer you allow the pain to stick around, the more your mobility will be affected as time goes on.

Many people will seek out the use of orthotics or insoles because they notice there is some intense pain in their feet, legs, knees, hips, and lower back. While everyone will have some of this pain on occasion in their body, those who will take a look for a custom orthotic will do so because the pain is constant and will not go away.

Dealing with the pain of this type each day can end up costing you quite a bit. You may find that walking around your home or work can be painful and slow and the issue just gets worse. This can make it hard to complete some of the traditional work that you need to get done and makes you less productive overall.

When you struggle to move around, it makes you less likely to want to go out and do things with your family and friends, putting a toll on all of your personal relationships. When you choose to go with a pair of custom orthotics, you will be able to slip them into your shoes and reduce the amount of pain that you are feeling.

With less pain, it is easier to feel better and get more tasks done during the day. This can help you spend more time with friends and family, make it easier to get more work done around the office, and just makes life more enjoyable as well.

Because They Are Made for Your Foot, Custom Orthotics Are Worth the Money

When you choose a pair of insoles over the counter, you run into a problem with getting insoles that are created for as many people as possible. This means that they are not exactly right for your feet and they are made out of lower-quality materials as well. They may work for some minor problems and provide temporary relief but won’t work like custom orthotics.

Part of the reason that custom orthotics are so efficient at the job that they do is that they are truly customized for your foot. Your doctor is going to use a mold or a scan in order to build up the orthotics, ensuring that they conform to every curve and area of the foot that is as unique as you are.

Because of this, your new orthotics will be designed in such a way that they can target the specific foot issues that you have, including plantar fasciitis and other foot and leg pain that you are dealing with at the time. And the custom orthotics will be able to do this in a way that will meet your unique needs.

Custom Orthotics Can Save Money

When you look at the price tag that says custom orthotics are worth $200 to $800 depending on your foot, you may wonder how they are going to be able to save you money over time. You need to take a look at custom orthotics and see them as more of an investment, rather than a cost, and you can see why they are such a good option for you.

Non-custom orthotics are going to be less expensive in the beginning, they can be made out of lower-quality materials and are unreliable. They are not likely to provide relief from the specific foot or leg issue that you have, which means you will have to keep spending more and more money looking for the relief that you need.

You can also choose to go without any orthotics at all. This allows the foot or leg problem to get progressively worse as time goes on.

You may end up needing a lot of physical therapy and even surgery in the long run, which will cost a lot more money than a pair of orthotics and can result in a lot of necessary therapy and recovery as well.

Choosing a good pair of orthotics will be able to help you save some money when it comes to your feet. Plus, they provide relief. While you may have to pay a bit more in the initial investment to get the orthotics, they will be worth the money and are a great investment in your comfort and overall health as well.

Should I Get a Pair of Custom Orthotics?

It will be up to your discretion whether you should choose to get a pair of custom orthotics for your needs. These orthotics are going to feel great and can help you move around better and feel amazing at the same time. But they can be expensive and if your insurance does not cover some of the costs, you may wonder whether it is worth it.

For those who just have a few minor aches and pains in their feet and would like a little support and cushion for walking around or standing at their jobs, an over-the-counter insole may be a better option. These provide all of those benefits and come at an affordable price.

They are also quicker to get a pair than waiting around for some custom orthotics. For those who have severe issues with the feet, legs, ankles, and knees, it may be better to wait for a pair of custom orthotics instead.

These provide some personalized support and can work where some of the other medical treatments have failed in the past. With a good pair of orthotics, you can regain your mobility and feel better as well.

If you are uncertain whether you need to go with a pair of custom orthotics or a pair of insoles, you will find that talking with your doctor can be a smart decision to help here. They can do an analysis of your foot and ask about some of your pain points to learn more about your health history and what will work for you.

When you are suffering from persistent pain in the feet, ankles, heels, legs, and knees, it may be time to consider whether a pair of custom orthotics make a lot of sense for you. These will be designed to work well with your feet, giving you relief from many common ailments without having to worry about therapy or surgery in the long run.

Choosing a pair of orthotics does not have to be difficult. You just need to have a plan in place to help you deal with the pain and take control again.

Working with the right professionals will ensure that you are able to protect your feet and keep them safe for years to come. Our team is here to provide you with the professional assistance that you need to keep your feet happy and healthy overall.

We will complete a comprehensive exam with every patient, answering questions on their medical history, creating a scan of their foot, and providing them with a custom orthotic that works and is worth the cost. Give us a call or leave your information to get started today! Take our free quiz today to find out which orthotic type is best for your feet.