Summary: Custom orthotics don’t always provide immediate and long-lasting relief for everyone. The main reason is usually one of two things: whether the device provides the right correction for your specific biomechanics, or whether an orthotic user would have been better served by a different approach entirely. An evidence-based, biomechanical approach and personal evaluation is often the key to getting it right.
You’ve probably heard someone rave about how custom orthotics changed their life. You’ve also probably seen reviews of people who say they spent hundreds of dollars on a pair and felt absolutely no difference. Both experiences are valid, but it can be confusing when you’re looking for relief from general foot pain or a specific diagnosis where orthotics were recommended.
You want to know for sure whether you’re going to have a 1-star or 5-star experience for something as important as your foot or lower limb pain. At Biocorrect, we take the initial evaluation seriously to make sure we provide an evidence-based, personal approach to your prescription orthotic device to give you the best shot at success.
Are all orthotics made the same way?
Not all orthotics marketed as “custom” are truly custom-made.
Online and even in-person orthotic providers can use a wide range of methods to produce their devices. For example, some use the word “custom” when they really mean “customizable,” like off-the-shelf inserts with a few adjustable features. The problem with these is that they leave the customizing in the hands of the user, who doesn’t have the anatomical training to know how to customize their device for their specific needs. It also typically means the manufacturer is not responsible for ineffective results after the user modifies it.
Others position their products as diagnosis-specific or tailored to concerns, like flat arches or heel pain. These aren’t necessarily bad products, but they’re still not customized to your specific foot. Instead, the manufacturer chooses an average correction for the concern, such as plantar fasciitis or neuropathy, and then sends everyone the same orthotic within that specialty.
It’s not always easy to tell what kind of manufacturing method you’re going to be receiving because the marketing around orthotics, especially online, often uses words that sound good but sidestep what’s actually happening behind the scenes. It’s easy to add a product to your online shopping cart without knowing where the orthotic is coming from or how it’s going to be personalized to you.
Reviews can make things even more confusing: some people swear by them, others saw zero results, and some of the reviews may even be fake.
At Biocorrect, your orthotic doesn’t exist until after you have an evaluation performed by a Certified Pedorthist. We create every device completely from scratch, based on your unique needs, mechanics, and your foot anatomy.
Common reasons orthotics don’t work as intended
Understanding why orthotics fail is just as useful as knowing why they succeed. Here are the most common reasons people don’t get the results they’re hoping for:
- The device isn’t truly custom. A “customizable” insert is still largely a generic product. Without a full biomechanical evaluation, there’s no guarantee the device will address your body’s specific needs.
- A contributing factor was missed. Issues like leg length discrepancy, hip misalignment, or muscle imbalances can undermine even a well-made orthotic if they’re not identified and addressed.
- Custom orthotics are only one part of the solution: Even a well-designed, properly fitted orthotic can’t perform optimally if it is placed in a shoe that doesn’t provide the right foundation. For example, shoes that are too narrow, too flexible, worn out, lack adequate support, or have an incompatible shape or removable insole may prevent the orthotic from sitting correctly or controlling the foot as intended. This can reduce the orthotic’s effectiveness and may even create new areas of pressure or discomfort.
- Lack of compliance. Custom orthotics are not a “set it and forget it” solution. Consistent use, following the recommended break-in instructions, and communicating any concerns with the Certified Pedorthist are all important to achieving a successful outcome.
- Improper break-in or fit. Orthotics need to be worn correctly, in appropriate footwear, and broken in for approximately 1-2 weeks. Poor guidance during this stage can skew results.
The Biocorrect evaluation
Biocorrect’s evaluation process is built around a complete picture of what’s going on with your biomechanics. We work to understand exactly what you’re experiencing, identify biomechanical imbalances throughout the lower body, and create an orthotic solution designed to address your unique needs.
Other orthotic providers, especially online stores, start and end their “evaluation” with a foot mold/scan. It makes the process simple and easy for them, but it can leave important contributing factors completely unaddressed.
Leg length discrepancy is a great example. As you might imagine, this is an imbalance that can significantly affect how your body distributes weight and absorbs impact—and it will be entirely missed by providers who focus solely on the foot.
Our Certified Pedorthists are foot anatomy and biomechanics experts first—not sales people. If a different approach would serve you better given your medical history, your goals, and your current symptoms, we’ll tell you that. There are situations where an orthotic isn’t the right primary solution, and we’d rather point you in the right direction than fit you with a device that won’t deliver real results.
True custom orthotic solutions by Biocorrect
Orthotics are effective functional devices when personalized appropriately to your unique anatomy and biomechanical symptoms. Whether you’ve tried other orthotic solutions with little relief or have heard mixed messages about it from your friends, we’re here to help answer your questions about our process and what it might mean for you.
Start a conversation with our team by calling 616-356-5030 or by contacting us online today.