Custom Orthotics Sydney
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If your feet ache constantly, a simple solution could end the pain for good: prescription orthotics.
​At North Sydney Podiatry, we develop custom orthotics that can manage your foot health and treat numerous foot conditions or injuries. These shoe inserts are custom-made to fit your unique feet. They can both alleviate your current pain and help you prevent future pain due to genetic predispositions.
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​As leading Sydney Podiatrists, our foot orthoses support your individual needs, improve function and get you back to doing what you love as soon as possible.
What Are Custom Foot Orthotics?
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Custom orthotics are prescription inserts that support your feet, realign your hips and legs and make everyday activities like standing, walking and running more comfortable. They are sometimes referred to as orthoses, arch supports, inner soles and shoe inserts.
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How Do Orthotics Work?
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The goal of orthotic therapy is to reduce the internal and external forces acting on parts of the foot, to reduce foot pain and treat injury.
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Ground reaction force: When you walk, stand or run, orthotics alter the pressure coming from the ground to the foot (ground reaction force). By altering these forces, you can achieve better foot function and reduce any excessive forces that can lead to foot injury.
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Orthotic design: Many mechanically related injuries are caused by excessive forces inside the foot and ankle. Depending on pathology and where your foot pain is located, different orthotic designs with specific features can change the location, magnitude and timing of force acting within the foot.
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Neurofeedback: Orthotic function can help send sensory feedback to your brain, prompting it to change its movement during gait. From these signals, your brain can send corrective movements to your foot and improve function, avoid pain and prevent injury.
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How Can Orthotics Help?
Many people don't realise that the way they stand and walk aggravates their feet, legs and back, causing pain. Prescription orthotic inserts help alleviate and prevent foot, ankle, knee, and lower back pain, improve your posture, balance and overall foot function. They can also reduce stress and pain in your feet, legs, and lower back.
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If you have low or flat/fallen arches, orthotics support them so your arches don't hurt with every step you take. If you have frequent heel and ankle pain, orthotics correct your foot's motion to minimise pain.
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Research has shown that, in many cases, prescribing orthotics can relieve pain and prevent further disability. That said, not everyone is a candidate for orthotic therapy. Our highly trained podiatrists will perform a comprehensive foot assessment to identify any biomechanical abnormalities and will only recommend custom orthotics when necessary.
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Foot conditions that can be managed or treated with prescription orthotics:
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Bunions
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Plantar Fasciitis
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Flat Feet/ Fallen Arches
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High Arches (Pes Cavus)
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​Knee pain
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Achilles Tendinopathy
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Morton's Neuroma
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Injuries
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Who can Benefit From Custom Orthotics?
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Overpronators: Overpronation allows the arches to drop, causing your ankles to roll inward. Orthotics provide protection, support and motion control.
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Supinators: If you have a very high arch that causes your foot to roll outward, prescription orthotics can help by rebalancing and offering extra cushioning that will redistribute pressure evenly through the foot.
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People with Diabetes: Diabetic patients can suffer nerve damage (neuropathy). Orthotics are a potential treatment for diabetic foot problems. They can spread the load more evenly and minimise potential damage to the feet, such as foot corns and ulcers.​
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People who Stand or Walk for Work: Those who stand or walk for many hours at work may appreciate the comfort and support that these mechanical aids provide. Regardless of your weight, orthotics can reduce the stress on your legs and feet as you stand and walk.
At North Sydney Podiatry, we will assess your condition and discuss your options. In some cases, you may not require orthotics but a different type of podiatric treatment.
​Our Process for Making Custom Moulded Orthotics
When you visit the podiatrists at North Sydney Podiatry, we’ll examine your foot and decide on the best course of action to relieve your pain. If you need orthotics, we take a plaster cast impression of your foot in your neutral position. This captures your unique foot shape and your specific faults. We then send the impression to a lab that creates orthotics that work solely for you.
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​Why Choose North Sydney Podiatry to Create Custom Orthotics?
​At North Sydney Podiatry, we're committed to ensuring you feel great when you walk out our door. Our three team members—Mark Ninio, Catherine Walker and Joyce Groot—can help you with anything from prescription orthotics to ingrown toenail surgery to diabetic care and sports injuries. No one knows feet better than us.
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​We've served the Sydney community for over 30 years, so we know what it takes to achieve a pain-free lifestyle. Our podiatrists constantly further their knowledge in the evolving podiatry field, so we are always up-to-date on the most effective treatments.
When you get prescription orthotics from our Sydney clinic, you can rest assured that they will continue to support you for years to come. We take a lot of pride in our work.
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​If you think you need orthotics or if you simply want to get to the root of your foot pain, contact our capable team.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Do Custom Orthotics Take to Make?
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Prescription orthotics can take between 2-3 weeks after we have taken your cast.
How Often to Replace Custom Orthotics?
Most adult custom orthotics should be replaced every 3-5 years. Children's orthotics should be replaced every 2-3 years. We recommend having your orthotics checked every 6 months so that we can make adjustments if required.
How Much Do Orthotics Cost?
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The price of your orthotic fitting will vary depending on the complexity of your foot health and foot care requirements.
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Are Custom Orthotics Worth the Cost?
Yes - an orthotic device should fit you like a glove and is usually far superior to an over-the-counter device. Custom orthotics are handmade to your unique foot anatomy with specialised materials. When you cost it out over constant wear with a typical 5-year replacement, with the benefit of supporting your unique foot health, we believe it's worth it.
Does Private Health Insurance Cover Prescription Orthotics?
Most private health insurance covers the cost of orthotics, but this will depend on the level of cover you have. It's best to check your health insurance policy before making an appointment.
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Are Custom-Made Orthotics Better Than Over-The-Counter Insoles?
You can buy over-the-counter orthoses, but they don't give you as much personalised support as prescription orthotics do. Insoles found in a pharmacy or chemist are developed to fit a generic foot shape and size. Some brands can have specialised features such as ‘high arch support’ or ‘low arch support’. However, the one-size-fits-all approach does not benefit everyone. These insoles generally don’t last as long and may not help your unique foot problem.
If you already know you have a genetic condition that causes foot pain or if you experience frequent, constant foot pain, turn to our capable orthotics podiatrists who can help create orthotics that are perfectly tailored to your unique bone structure and foot issues.
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Custom orthotics ensure your foot concerns are treated by a qualified health professional, and ensure comfort as well as effectiveness that store-bought insoles cannot provide.
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