The shape and height of your arch changes when you are sleeping in bed versus standing or walking on the ground. Patients with healthy arches have little difference in the shape or height of their arch while walking or sleeping. A properly made orthotic maintains the true arch with every step you take, alleviating foot pain throughout the day.
The best-designed foot orthotic captures the true arch with a cast impression of the foot while sitting with the feet off the ground. Amateurs have patients or customers stand in a hardening foam, which captures the flattened arch.
The cast model of the foot is sent to a lab, along with a biomechanical prescription. The lab designs an orthotic from the cast model and the prescription and chooses materials that are strong enough to support the body weight without flattening out. Obviously, the materials used for a 300-pound patient will be different than those used for a 70-pound patient. Over-the-counter, orthotics are made from the same materials regardless of body weight. Most insurance plans recognize the difference and only pay for custom-made orthotics.
AFP Podiatry, LTD
825 N. ROSELLE RD. ROSELLE, IL. 60172
Phone: (630) 582-1100
or
AFP Podiatry LTD. 4701 N. Cumberland Ave. Suite 19 Norridge, Il. 60706 Phone: (708)-867-3338