“Do store orthotics work?”
Do the orthotics that you can buy in the store work? How do I know which one to get?
17 Answers
Daniel J. Walters
Podiatrist (Foot and Ankle Specialist)
Store orthotics may or may not help. Usually, there is no way to tell ahead of time what kind to get. E-mail me with your age, activity level, job, exercise (what kind), and what exactly is your foot complaint.
I do not recommend the outside orthotics. It is better to get molded for your true fit.
Hello and thank you for the question. This is a very common question I get from patients. Which over the counter orthotics are ‘good’? In my opinion there are three over the counter orthotics I recommend. Most patients go to the pharmacy or walmart and pick up gel inserts which tend to break down very fast or did not have enough arch support in the first place. Of the three OTC (over the counter) orthotics I recommend I would need to examine your feet to evaluate what foot type you have. I would be happy to answer any questions you may have, just call the office during business hours. Thank you for your inquiry.
It's best to see the PODIATRIST for advice on caring for your feet and selecting appropriate orthotics.
Not in my experience. Orthotics should be made specifically for each patient's unique gait pattern and pathology, however, store-bought innersoles that provide comfort by reducing the ground reaction force by providing cushioning are acceptable.
Not too well for a long period of time and they are not made to your foot for optimum performance.
Usually they don't work, and it depends on why you are buying them. Most of them just add extra cushioning but no offer no motion control. You need to be evaluated by someone first.
Benjamin D. Overley
Podiatrist (Foot and Ankle Specialist)
In terms of over the counter orthotics I recommend spenco brand . They are affordable and tend to work just as well as expensive custom molded orthotics for many conditions.
Franklin Randall Polun
Podiatrist (Foot and Ankle Specialist)
Over the counter pre-fabricated inserts may be helpful or it may be in adequate. There are many different companies that produce over-the-counter inserts. They are based on size but have limited capability. Over-the-counter pre-fabricated inserts tend to be bulky and occupy a lot of space in the shoe so I can impact the size of the shoe you are wearing. If you squeeze your foot in the shoe along with the orthotic you can cause cramping. The only thing you can do is try the size that fits you properly and see if it alleviates your symptoms if not then you have to move on to custom molded foot orthotics.
No because good orthotics must have the proper gear and allignment to the foot .
Gait balance must be recognized while the joint in neutral position to accommodate the arch area .
Gait balance must be recognized while the joint in neutral position to accommodate the arch area .
Yes, some orthotics are helpful by giving support to the arch and keeping the feet in a neutral position while walking. They assist with balance, so the foot doesn't lean to a specific side. Over-the-counter orthotics vary, some provide more support than others. I recommend Spenco orthotic arch supports. There are others that are good too, but I've actually worn this brand. Orthotics should not be completely soft, they should have some rigidity to maintain support.
Most over-the -counter foot orthotics are for comfort only; they do not correct for imbalance or malalignment of the foot during gait.
The analogy I like to use is sunglasses vs. prescription glasses.
If you need vision correction and you go outside in bright sunlight, are you going to go to the drugstore and buy a pair of Raybans? You could, and they would make your vision a bit more comfortable in the sunlight. However they wouldn't help you see clearly. That's why you would go to your optometrist and get a pair of prescription sunglasses so you would have comfort as well as good vision.
The same holds true for custom podiatrist prescription orthotics vs OTC or shoe store foot orthotics. If you have foot pain or deformity, podiatrist ordered custom orthotics are far superior and less costly in the long run.
The analogy I like to use is sunglasses vs. prescription glasses.
If you need vision correction and you go outside in bright sunlight, are you going to go to the drugstore and buy a pair of Raybans? You could, and they would make your vision a bit more comfortable in the sunlight. However they wouldn't help you see clearly. That's why you would go to your optometrist and get a pair of prescription sunglasses so you would have comfort as well as good vision.
The same holds true for custom podiatrist prescription orthotics vs OTC or shoe store foot orthotics. If you have foot pain or deformity, podiatrist ordered custom orthotics are far superior and less costly in the long run.
Orthotic appliances are used to treat biomechanical and structural dysfunctions of the human foot and lower extremity. An appropriate diagnosis is always critical to achieve a most efficacious response. This can only be done by seeing an experienced provider in the management of these disorders. With that said, there are many common conditions that can be
readily identified by the consumer (patient) and achieve satisfactory results with an off-the-shelf insert. These conditions include flat feet, plantar fasciitis (heel pain), arch pain/fatigue and metatarsalgia (pain in the ball of the foot). There are many products that can be purchased at local retail stores that will provide similar benefit to that of a custom foot orthosis without the cost in handling these presentations.
readily identified by the consumer (patient) and achieve satisfactory results with an off-the-shelf insert. These conditions include flat feet, plantar fasciitis (heel pain), arch pain/fatigue and metatarsalgia (pain in the ball of the foot). There are many products that can be purchased at local retail stores that will provide similar benefit to that of a custom foot orthosis without the cost in handling these presentations.
Sometimes, they can be helpful... I suggest Spenco products.
No. You should see a specialist who can properly educate you. Orthoses** that you may purchase in stores come with too many variables. The problem lies mainly that it is the subjective part from using orthoses inserts. I wound recommend you should be evaluated by a specialist (podiatrist/foot and ankle surgeon) who may work closely with an orthotist (specialist who designs the final product) to create the custom inserts.
Biomechanics is the core behind understanding lower extremity alignment or misalignment and what can be done to correct or respectively improve. Some insurances cover part of the cost, and there are benefits from using custom made inserts, as they last longer and orthotists will work with you for months and years to come to adjust and recreate new custom inserts per need.
**Orthotics refers to a branch of medicine (specialty) that deals with provision and use of artificial devices such as splints and braces. Orthoses is the correction of disorders of the limbs or spine with use of braces to correct alignment and provide support.
Biomechanics is the core behind understanding lower extremity alignment or misalignment and what can be done to correct or respectively improve. Some insurances cover part of the cost, and there are benefits from using custom made inserts, as they last longer and orthotists will work with you for months and years to come to adjust and recreate new custom inserts per need.
**Orthotics refers to a branch of medicine (specialty) that deals with provision and use of artificial devices such as splints and braces. Orthoses is the correction of disorders of the limbs or spine with use of braces to correct alignment and provide support.
Yes, store bought orthotics can be beneficial. Several kinds for different reasons. Best is to consult your podiatrist so that you can be directed to which type of store bought orthotics could be most beneficial.
Dr. Kletz
Dr. Kletz
Depending on your diagnosis, they might or might not serve well. For significant issues such as flat foot, high arch foot, biomechanical issues, you would need custom orthotics. For the first timers with heel pain or just to have some support, over-the-counter orthotics could suffice your need. I usually recommend semi-rigid store bought inserts such as Superfeet or Purestride. You could look them up on Amazon. Please go see your local podiatrist to understand if you have any foot issues, so you can get proper understanding.
