Do You Need Custom Orthotics? A Seattle Podiatrist Explains

If you're like many of my patients, you're likely wondering whether you need custom orthotics. Most heel pain patients end up in my office after trying store-bought inserts because they didn't work. While off-the-shelf inserts can help support your arch and cushion tired feet, they can't do what a custom orthotic does best — realign and rebalance your foot mechanics. 

Here are some other reasons custom orthotics are needed:

• You have flat feet or high arches
• You overpronate (your feet roll in ) when you walk.
• Your arches collapse when you walk, run, or hike.
• Your heel pain or plantar fascitiis keeps coming back.
• Your knees, hips, and back hurt (when your feet are out of alignment it can affect your entire body).

Foot Pain Specialist in North Seattle

Let Me Help You!

I understand what you're going through. You've tried many solutions to your foot pain, including store-bought inserts but you're still not recovering. Over the past 45 years, I've helped thousands of patients in North Seattle overcome foot pain and regain a full, active life.

I know how frustrating it is when every step hurts, when you can't do the activities you love, and when you feel like no one truly understands your pain. That's why I've dedicated my career to becoming the expert who can finally give you the relief you deserve.

Why Patients Get Foot Pain Treatment From Dr. Berg:

• 45+ years of podiatric expertise
• Specialized expertise in the most common foot conditions such as plantar fasciitis, ball of foot pain, bunions, and Morton's neuroma
• Degree in Physical Therapy for a holistic approach to treating foot pain
• On-site orthotics lab for faster adjustments and immediate relief
• Offers traditional and 3D orthotics
• Computerized gait analysis for more accurate diagnosis

Store-Bought vs. Custom Orthotics

Here's a table describing the differences between store-bought and custom orthotics. 

Traditional Custom Orthotics in North Seattle

Custom orthotics provide the highest degree of support, controlling abnormal motion in the foot and helping with postural alignment. These inserts offer the greatest potential for foot pain relief for those with heel pain, flat feet, and other foot pain problems. They are the longest-lasting types of orthotics, effective for 3-5 years, and are tailored specifically to your foot.

How Custom Orthotics Work

Custom orthotics can provide dramatic relief from foot pain more quickly than you may have thought possible by:

• Increasing balance
• Increasing endurance
• Decreasing fatigue in your entire lower extremities
• Correct postural alignment that may diminish symptoms that extend to your back
• Increase performance in sports
• Provide an alternative to foot surgery

All custom orthotics are made from a scan or impression of your feet. Custom orthotics can be fashioned in many shapes and thicknesses, and can use a variety of materials. For example, some heel pain patients may benefit from a functional orthotic comprised of a rigid shell with a thin, soft top cover. Many patients with rheumatoid arthritis find relief with a softer, accommodative orthotic that relieves pressure.

Can Custom Orthotics Be Adjusted?

The beauty of traditional custom orthotics is that they can be adjusted to accommodate your feet. For example, if you have a bone spur on the heel of your foot, our office can adjust the orthotic so it doesn't rub on that area. 

In addition, your orthotics may need adjusting a year or more after you've received them if you've gained weight or notice new foot or back pain.  Learn more about "5 Signs Your Orthotics Need Adjusting" below.

Custom 3D Printed Orthotics

Our office now offers the latest technology in orthotics to keep you comfortable and active--Custom 3D Printed Orthotics. Unlike traditional orthotics, 3D-printed orthotics have a lattice design able to adjust to your specific foot mechanics. Learn more about these amazing new devices by visiting our website--Custom 3D Printed Orthotics.

How Orthotics Treat Common Foot Conditions

Children's Foot Problems

Foot abnormalities tend to run in families. It's best to have your children's feet evaluated early to detect and correct faulty foot mechanics before problems develop. Learn more about how we treat kids with flat feet.

Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis develops when repeated stress causes irritation where the plantar fascia attaches to the heel bone. Every step can continue to strain the tissue, making it difficult to heal.

Custom orthotics reduce excessive tension on the plantar fascia by improving foot mechanics and supporting the arch. They're often recommended when symptoms continue despite stretching, supportive shoes, or over-the-counter inserts.

Achilles Tendonitis

The Achilles tendon connects the calf muscles to the heel. When the foot rolls inward excessively, additional stress can be placed on the tendon with every step.

Custom orthotics can improve foot alignment and reduce strain on the Achilles tendon. Combined with stretching and strengthening exercises, they can help patients return to activity with less discomfort.

Flat Feet (Pes Planus)

People with flat feet often overpronate, meaning their arches collapse inward when they walk. This places extra stress on the plantar fascia, tendons, ligaments, knees, and even the hips. While some people with flat feet never have symptoms, others develop fatigue, heel pain, ankle pain, or shin splints after standing or walking for long periods.

Custom orthotics don't "create" an arch that isn't there. Instead, they help improve foot alignment, support the arch during walking, and reduce excessive motion that contributes to pain. For many patients, this leads to better comfort during work, exercise, and everyday activities.

High Arches (Pes Cavus)

High-arched feet have the opposite problem. Instead of rolling inward too much, they often don't absorb shock well. This places more pressure on the heel and ball of the foot and increases the risk of hammertoe, metatarsalgia, and ankle sprains.

Custom orthotics for high arches are designed to distribute pressure more evenly across the foot while improving shock absorption. They can also make the foot feel more stable on uneven ground.

Bunions

A bunion develops because of changes in the alignment of the big toe joint. While orthotics cannot reverse the deformity, they may help slow progression in some patients by reducing abnormal forces across the joint. They can also decrease pressure and improve comfort during walking.

Morton's Neuroma

Morton's neuroma occurs when the nerves between the 3rd and 4th toe become enlarged often from repeated compression.

Custom orthotics can relieve pressure on the nerve by redistributing weight across the forefoot. Depending on the cause of the irritation, additional modifications such as a metatarsal pad can reduce symptoms and make walking more comfortable.

Patient Testimonials

"My new orthotics have helped me start to compete again - because of these orthotics, I was able to compete in my first masters track meet - thanks Dr. Berg! 

-Rich G.

"After seeing the patient care Dr. Berg gave to my elderly mother-in-law, I finally decided to do something about my complex foot and ankle problems. Right before I had a trade show that involved miles of walking every day, he made me orthotics that made such a difference for me. Instead of limping around for four days, I was really able to enjoy the show by wearing professional-looking shoes instead of the tennis shoes I've had to resort to in the past. I have even been able to start walking with my husband again. Thanks Dr. Berg!"

- Trey S, Seattle

“Walking is my life. I walk 3-6 miles a day at age 75. The ball of my foot would get extremely sore and prevent me from walking. Dr. Berg diagnosed the problem, prescribed orthotic inserts, and cured the problem! I'm now back to my 3-6 mile walks. His "bedside manner" is also great! A very, very nice doctor to deal with.”

-T. Patterson, Edmonds, WA 

Dr. Berg and everyone in the office are all wonderful people! They all care a lot about their work, and their patients. Dr. Berg takes the time with every person who comes into his office, to find out exactly how to relieve their pain. He puzzled over my orthotics for months until we found the exact right fit. He embraces all kinds of treatment, he knows and uses old school methods, as well as fascinating modern tech. He's the best, everyone there is.

-Courtney N., Seattle 

FAQs

1. How long do custom orthotics last?

While custom orthotics can last from 3 to 5 years, athletes and individuals who stand on their feet for work should have their orthotics checked after 3 years.  Other signs your orthotics need to be checked are:

• New foot or back pain
• General discomfort when wearing them
• Heels are worn down
• Thinning or worn-out top covers

To learn more about when to get your orthotics checked, check out "5 Signs Your Orthotics May Need Adjusting or Repair".

2.  What is the difference between over-the-counter inserts and custom orthotics?

Over-the-counter (OTC) inserts can provide extra comfort and cushion, and can often control mild foot pain. Because these inserts are over-the-counter (OTC) they are not customized to a specific foot type and may not fit properly; this can decrease how well they function. Most patients who come to our office have already tried OTC remedies and are still in pain.

For most people with ongoing foot pain, custom orthotics are needed to properly match the shape and function of the foot and provide the greatest benefit.  Our office creates orthotics by taking a scan of the foot to determine the size, width, pressure points, and other factors. The scan is used to design orthotics that are a perfect match for the patient’s foot. In addition to relieving a patient’s foot pain, custom orthotics can successfully treat patients with body alignment issues, including ankle, knee, and back pain.

3. How long does it take to get used to custom orthotics?

While many people become accustomed to wearing their orthotics within a couple of weeks, it's not unusual for it to take several weeks for your feet and body to get used to wearing them.  Our office recommends starting by wearing orthotics for one hour on the first day, then increasing wear time by one additional hour each day as your feet adjust. If this isn't tolerated, start by wearing them for 30 minutes a day and increasing wear time by 30 minutes every two days.

4. Do I need to wear my orthotics all the time?

Short answer: yes—daily use matters.

An occasional short walk without your orthotics usually won’t cause a problem. But doing this repeatedly can add up.

Your custom orthotics are designed to provide your feet with the support they need and prevent them from slipping back into old movement patterns, such as over-pronation. When orthotics aren’t worn consistently, your feet can slowly return to those habits—often leading to a return of pain or symptoms you worked hard to get rid of.

Learn more here!