Midland & Saginaw County MI Podiatrist Custom Orthotics

What Are Orthotics?

Orthotics, also known as insoles or inserts, are specialized medical devices that slide into your shoes and support your feet as you walk. They come in many different sizes and styles and are meant to accommodate or correct a structural, biomechanical, or medical condition causing pain or difficulty with your feet or ankles. Children, athletes, adults, and seniors can benefit from the correct orthotic device. If you find that your feet, ankles, or legs are constantly in pain or fatigue easily, there is an excellent chance that orthotics can make a significant difference in your life.

Prefabricated Orthotics

Prefabricated orthotics are mass-produced, non-prescription inserts. You’ve probably seen them in stores or on TV. At Freeland Foot & Ankle Clinic, we use prefabricated orthotics to help manage and relieve many different painful foot conditions. Although you can take your chances and buy an insert off the rack yourself, we strongly encourage you to book an appointment with us first and let us help you choose.

The wrong orthotics won’t do your feet much good. Our PureStride insoles are tested by and approved of by Dr. Dailey. Having a consultation before purchasing any over-the-counter insoles will help ensure the perfect fit!

Custom Orthotics with Go-4D

Custom orthotics are prescription inserts that are specially made just for you. We use a high-tech foot scanning system to get exact, precise measurements of your foot shape and structure. Of course, we’ll also conduct a complete physical examination and any additional tests that may be necessary to diagnose whatever foot problems you're experiencing.

How Does Go-4D Work?

Go-4D uses a pressure plate, a foot scanner, and 3D-printing technology to create shoe inserts that are truly custom to your feet. Here's how the casting process works:

First, you'll walk across the pressure plate. This gives us a dynamic image of where you are putting the most pressure and helps us analyze your gait.
Next, we will have you stand on the foot scanner. Once your feet are scanned, we can send this information to the lab to have the orthotics made to your specifications.
Finally, your new custom orthotics will arrive in a few weeks. At that time, you will come into the office for a short appointment with a medical assistant to give you the inserts and instructions for breaking them in.

Learn More: Rid Yourself of Foot Pain With Custom Orthotics

Conditions That Can Be Treated With Orthotics

various orthotics laid against a bright background

Many painful conditions of the feet and ankles, and even the knees, hips, and spine can be caused by misalignment or inefficient biomechanics in the feet and ankles. Orthotics may be considered to help treat, prevent, or manage conditions such as:

Heel pain

Sports injuries

Deformities such as bunions, hammertoes, flat feet, or high arches

Diabetic wounds

Gait abnormalities

Pain in the knees, hips, or back

What Type of Inserts Do I Need?

Non-prescription orthotics have the advantage of being cheaper to purchase, and for many minor foot aches and pains, they are sufficient to manage your pain. Because of their extra precision, custom orthotics can provide more significant pain relief and treatment for a broader range of conditions. Sometimes it may be wise to try a prefabricated orthotic first and see if your symptoms go away. As stated above, we carry Pure Stride insoles, and we always keep a full range of sizes and styles in stock.

Dr. Dailey Provides Quality Shoe Inserts in Saginaw County

Every situation is different. After your examination, Dr. Dailey will go through the pros and cons and make his recommendation for what type of orthotics will suit your condition and lifestyle best. It is exceedingly important that our patients are involved in their care and that they feel comfortable making informed decisions about their treatment plans. Give us a call at (989) 695-6788 or contact us online to schedule your appointment today.

How Much Do Custom Orthotics Cost?

Anytime you see the word "custom" when referencing a specific item, it's natural to associate that item with a higher price tag. And that is true for custom orthotics: they can be costly. The good news? Custom orthotics are often billable through your insurance! No matter your plan, we will work with you and contact your insurance company to determine your coverage and how much, if anything, you will ultimately be responsible for paying out of pocket.

We also accept Care Credit and offer flexible payment plans to help you get back on your feet without worrying about how much it'll cost to do so. If you do have insurance, scroll through the list below to see if we take yours!

Insurance We Accept

Custom Orthotics Can Solve a Variety of Foot, Ankle, and Back Complaints