3D Printed Bespoke Orthotics
What are Orthotics?
Types of Orthotics
There are two main types of orthotics: off-the-shelf (prefabricated) and custom-made.
- Off-the-shelf orthotics are generic and made from various materials with different densities and shapes. Since they don’t conform to individual foot shapes, they may be uncomfortable or ineffective, providing too much or too little arch support. While results can be inconsistent, they can still help reduce pain.
- Custom-made orthotics are tailored to an individual’s foot using a scan or cast. This ensures a precise fit, optimising their effectiveness. We select the materials based on your individual needs, creating an orthotic prescription, similar to a drug or glasses prescription, which can be adjusted for optimal support—ranging from rigid carbon fibre to more flexible designs
Orthotics for Treating Plantar Fasciitis
The aim of orthotics is to reduce the biomechanical stress placed on the plantar fascia by supporting the arch of the foot. The main job role of the plantar fascia is to support the arch of the foot. Therefore as foot orthotics help the plantar fascia by supporting the arch of the foot, the level of stress placed on the plantar fascia is reduced. This helps address the issue of overloading the plantar fascia during normal daily activities such as standing and walking. It is thus, no surprise that orthotics are one of the most common treatment options for plantar fasciitis. over the years, there have been many clinical studies investigating the effectiveness of orthotics. If you would like to know more about the research check out this article published on our blog here.
Our Verdict
In most cases, orthotics form part of the multifaceted approach to treating plantar fasciitis successfully. We recommend custom made orthotics over off the shelf orthotics as in our experience this leads to more consistent and more effective results. Similar to stretching exercises, orthotics help address and reduce the mechanical stress that leads to pain and injury of the plantar fascia. There is currently a good level of evidence to prove that good quality orthotics are effective for treating plantar fasciitis both in short and long term and are therefore considered an evidence-based treatment option.
