What are custom orthotics?
Custom orthotics are devices made for the sole purpose of aligning the foot and ankle in a position that is anatomically efficient. Unlike the cushioned insoles sold at a drugstore, custom orthotics are built from a precise imprint of your own feet, so the finished device is shaped to your unique arch, pressure points, and gait — not a generic shoe size.
Think of custom orthotics the way you'd think of prescription eyeglasses: just as glasses correct how light focuses in your eyes, custom orthotics correct how weight and force move through your feet. By bringing your feet back into proper alignment, they reduce abnormal stress and strain on the structures that are working overtime, which can ease pain and improve how efficiently you stand, walk, and move.
How are custom orthotics different from over-the-counter inserts?
Generic, over-the-counter orthotics are typically made from materials like silicone, rubber, or cork and are sized to fit a range of shoe sizes rather than an individual foot. Because they aren't built around your specific anatomy, the amount of correction and support they can provide is limited, and they often need frequent replacement as they compress.
Custom orthotics, by contrast, start with a precise imprint or 3D scan of your feet. That imprint captures your specific arch height, pressure distribution, and any asymmetry between your left and right foot, allowing the device to be built specifically for you rather than adjusted to fit you. The result is a more targeted, durable level of support.
How are custom orthotics made?
The process begins with a hands-on evaluation of your feet, gait, and any symptoms you're experiencing. We then capture a detailed imprint of your foot shape and pressure pattern using advanced imaging technology, which allows your podiatrist to identify exactly where your foot needs support, cushioning, or correction.
That imprint is used to fabricate a device tailored specifically to your feet, rather than one adjusted from a generic mold. Once your orthotics arrive, we fit them to your everyday shoes and check how they feel and function before you leave the office, adjusting as needed.
Who benefits from custom orthotics?
Custom orthotics can help anyone whose foot or ankle alignment is contributing to pain, fatigue, or abnormal wear on the joints. Common reasons we recommend them include:
- Flat feet or high arches that change how weight loads the foot — see our flat feet page for more
- Chronic heel or arch pain, including plantar fasciitis
- Jobs or activities that involve prolonged standing or walking
- Reduced sensation from diabetic neuropathy, where offloading pressure is especially important
- An uneven walking pattern or leg-length difference
- General foot fatigue or discomfort during daily activities or athletics
What conditions are custom orthotics used to treat?
Custom orthotics are one of the most versatile, conservative tools in podiatric care and are frequently used alongside other treatments for conditions such as plantar fasciitis, flat feet, bunions, and diabetic foot complications. In many cases, they are a first-line recommendation before more invasive treatment is considered, because they address the underlying mechanical cause of the pain rather than just the symptom.
For patients with diabetes or neuropathy, custom orthotics also play a protective role, redistributing pressure away from areas at risk of skin breakdown — an important part of our broader diabetic foot care approach.
How long do custom orthotics last, and how do I care for them?
With reasonable care, custom orthotics are built to hold their shape and support far longer than generic inserts. That said, materials do wear over time and activity level, foot changes, or shifts in weight can affect fit. We recommend periodic check-ins so we can assess wear and confirm your orthotics are still providing the correction you need.
Simple daily habits — rotating between a couple of pairs of supportive shoes, keeping orthotics clean and dry, and avoiding excessive heat — help extend their life.
What types of custom orthotics are available?
Not every foot needs the same kind of support, so custom orthotics are built in different styles depending on the goal. Rigid orthotics are designed primarily for control, guiding the foot's motion during walking and reducing strain on the arch and heel. Softer, accommodative orthotics prioritize cushioning and pressure relief, which is often the right choice for sensitive or at-risk feet, including those affected by diabetes. Sport-specific orthotics are built to fit athletic shoes and support the demands of a particular activity. During your evaluation, your podiatrist will recommend the design that best matches your foot structure, symptoms, and daily activities.
How do I get fitted for custom orthotics?
Getting started is straightforward: schedule a visit so we can evaluate your feet, gait, and symptoms, take a precise imprint, and discuss which orthotic design fits your goals, whether that's everyday comfort, athletic performance, or protecting an at-risk foot. When you're ready, request an appointment at either of our Northern Utah offices.
Wasatch Foot & Ankle Institute is a locally rooted podiatry practice serving Farmington, South Ogden, and the surrounding Davis and Weber County communities. Our board-certified, fellowship-trained physicians focus exclusively on the foot and ankle, and custom orthotics are one of the conservative tools we use most often to treat pain at its source.
Because orthotics are fitted and adjusted in-house as part of a broader treatment plan, your care can move seamlessly from evaluation to a device built specifically for your feet. We treat patients from both of our clinics; learn more about our Farmington and South Ogden locations or call the office nearest you.
Medically reviewed by the physicians at Wasatch Foot & Ankle Institute. Our board-certified, fellowship-trained podiatrists provide foot and ankle care in Farmington and South Ogden, Utah. This page is for general education and is not a substitute for an in-person evaluation.
