A foot orthotic is a device that can be discretely inserted into the shoe to support, align, prevent and/or accommodate foot abnormalities and improve how the foot functions.
Used in conjunction with appropriate footwear, a foot orthotic can be effective in helping to treat a number of foot and lower limb problems including:
Foot orthotics can also help address foot and lower limb pain and complications related to health conditions such as diabetes and arthritis.
AVOID Purchasing Orthotics in the Following Scenarios:
- Dispensers who do not have the capacity to modify the foot orthoses themselves. This may suggest they lack training specific to foot orthoses.
- Foot orthotics from Exhibits at Home, Trade or Sportsman Shows. How can you return the orthotic if there is a problem?
- Short term kiosks or health booths in malls or department stores, and the Internet
- People who come to your home or place of employment for mass screenings, or dispensers offering orthotics to an entire family without properly evaluating all individuals.
- Custom orthotics for patients under the age of 5 are not as common, due to the fact that many of the skeletal or soft tissue injuries that require treatment with custom made orthotics do not present until a person is older, but when they do require early treatment a prescription by a medical doctor, or Pediatric specialist who is regulated in providing global diagnosis of the patient may be indicated.
- Practitioners who take no interest in your footwear. The effectiveness of a custom foot orthotic is maximized in footwear that fits properly and is appropriate to the individual and their lifestyle.
- “Two for the price of one” deals and offers for “free items with the purchase of foot orthotics”. Providers who are eligible dispensers under your plan are not able to make such offers under their Code of Ethics.
