Custom Orthotics for Foot Pain in Calgary

North Hill Foot & Ankle Clinic offers tailored solutions if persistent foot pain affects your daily activities. Our custom orthotics are biomechanical devices designed to address various foot conditions, including plantar fasciitis, metatarsalgia, neuromas, and tendon injuries affecting the foot and ankle. Each orthotic is crafted to improve function while ensuring comfort for everyday use.

Our team endeavours to provide precise, evidence-based treatments to correct foot and ankle dysfunction. We are committed to high-quality care and focus on delivering practical solutions tailored to each patient's needs. At North Hill Foot & Ankle Clinic, every patient receives professional attention and personalized care to support mobility and overall foot health.

Schedule an appointment with our podiatrist if you have been experiencing foot pain while walking or running. We’ll gladly help you manage it efficiently.

How Do They Work?

Custom orthotics are expertly crafted to facilitate pain-free walking and improved mobility. These specialized, custom-made three-dimensional foot inserts provide enhanced stability to the joints and bones of your feet while standing and in motion. Custom orthotics ensure consistent support by controlling every phase of the walking cycle, from heel strike to toe-off. This enhances comfort and helps alleviate heel pain, correct toe joint deformities, and address issues with the foot arch, whether too high or too low. With custom orthotics, you can experience overall physical well-being and improved quality of life.

The Process of Getting Custom Orthotics

At North Hill Foot & Ankle Clinic, the process begins with a comprehensive assessment conducted by a licensed professional. This includes:

Medical history review: Understanding the patient’s symptoms, activity level, and any existing medical conditions.
Biomechanical examination: Evaluating foot alignment, gait patterns, and weight distribution.
3D Scanning or casting: Capturing precise measurements to create a custom-fit orthotic.
Fabrication and fitting – Developing orthotics using high-quality materials and ensuring a proper fit upon delivery.

Regular follow-ups are recommended to monitor progress and make necessary adjustments to optimize comfort and functionality.

If you have any questions about custom orthotics, you can trust our clinic in Calgary to answer them. Check out our FAQs page to learn more!

How Are Custom Orthotics Made?

The process of creating custom orthotics involves several precise steps to ensure a tailored fit:

3D Laser scanning or casting: A detailed three-dimensional scan or cast of the foot is taken to capture precise measurements.
Precision design: The orthotics are crafted based on the scan to provide optimal cushioning, alignment, and support, reducing strain on the body.
Foot positioning: Custom orthotics help align the foot correctly, ensuring proper muscle engagement and efficient movement.
Footwear compatibility: Orthotics can be customized to fit specific types of footwear for enhanced comfort and usability.
Trial fitting: Our Calgary clinic schedules a trial fitting to ensure proper fit, comfort, and support.
Fitting & adjustments: Once the orthotics are ready, they are fitted under Dr. Wayne M. Crosby's supervision, with the assistance of clinic staff.
Follow-up care: Additional modifications or adjustments are provided as needed to ensure long-term support and comfort.

What Are the Benefits of Custom Orthotics?

Your feet deserve all the care they can get since they support the entire body. Custom orthotics, as the name suggests, are custom-made to match the shape and size of your foot. Customization is an essential aspect of orthotics as it ensures support for your foot exactly where you need it. This is an advantage over using bulk-produced, stock shoe inserts available at a pharmacy.

Take a look at the multitude of benefits that custom orthotics have:

They correct foot deformities. Unlike generic insoles, prescription orthotics can treat foot deformities such as high or depressed arches. Custom orthotics help prevent pressure ulcers and other diabetes-related foot abnormalities.
Custom orthotics are healthy for your knees, ankles, and back, as these body parts rely on your feet to maintain optimal alignment and range of motion. When your posture and stride attempt to adjust to foot discomfort, foot pain can reduce mobility in your muscles, tendons, and joints. Custom orthotics counter such issues of pronation.
Foot irregularities can affect your sporting activities whether you're a veteran pro or a youthful athlete just starting. Custom orthotics can assist in relieving the discomfort that limits you in athletic activities, as they provide support and cushioning by redistributing strain on your feet. This is especially useful if you stand for long periods or have arthritis. Custom orthotics can prevent injuries and, thus, aid in strenuous exercise routines.

While getting used to feeling comfortable in your custom orthotics may take a while, ensure you use them long-term to get the most out of them. If, at any point, you feel uncomfortable with your custom orthotics, reach out to us, and we’ll fix it!

Why Choose Our Orthotic Clinic?

We offer custom orthotics and ensure you get the best possible treatment in Calgary. When you visit us and get examined by Dr. Crosby, you get the following advantages:

We understand that you would only trust a professional regarding your medical needs. Patients visiting our clinic can rest assured about this with services provided only by a licensed podiatrist.
As a licensed podiatrist, Dr. Crosby is trained to evaluate foot mechanical problems and is recognized by various insurance companies.
The North Hill Foot & Ankle Clinic has no hidden charges for follow-up visits or modifications. We ensure that your feet get optimal care at affordable prices.

Common Conditions We Treat

Plantar fasciitis
Bunions
Excessive foot pronation (flat feet)
Malalignment syndromes
Children's problems, including in-toe, out-toe and flat feet
Neuromas (burning/numbness under the ball of the foot)
Foot pain and fatigue
Leg pain and fatigue
Knee pain
Back pain
Arthritis
Off-loading of lesions/painful areas

As a medical specialist focused on foot care and treatment, Dr. Crosby is an expert in efficiently developing and using custom orthotics for treating various foot conditions, including:

Reliable Orthotics Treatment in Calgary

At North Hill Foot & Ankle Clinic, we ensure you have the best possible orthotics treatment in Calgary and the most accurate information every time you visit us. Thus, no matter how difficult a question is, we will give you the correct and honest answer. We do this because we firmly believe that any decision about your body should be yours. And to make a decision, you need to be well-informed.

Get Answers to Your Questions

A foot orthotic can benefit you if you have biomechanical issues in your feet that result in pain or discomfort. When the muscles, bones, joints, ligaments or tendons in your feet are not functioning optimally to lend proper alignment while you stand or move, an orthotic can provide adequate support and prevent complications, fatigue and chronic pain. However, checking with a foot specialist and undergoing a thorough assessment is essential before you are prescribed orthotics.

The conditions that can be managed using foot orthotics include:

Pronation: Commonly known as flat feet, pronation is a condition in which the arches on the feet are not properly developed. This causes an inward rolling motion in the ankles, resulting in knee, back, hip, or pelvic pain. If left unattended, flat feet can cause long-term damage and chronic pain.
Supination: Supinated feet have high arches, resulting in outward rolling motion in the ankles. The condition can lead to extra pressure on the foot, heel and ball, causing pain and discomfort.
Arthritis: Arthritis is associated with foot pain and complications like joint inflammations, hammertoes and bunions.
Achilles Tendonitis: The inflammation of a tendon present above the heel.
Diabetes: Diabetes contributes to foot complications like the lack of sensation and increased risks of foot infections.
Plantar Fasciitis: A common condition that causes pain in the heels due to inflammation of a thick band of tissues at the bottom of the feet.
Morton’s Neuroma: Causes tissue thickening, resulting in nerve irritation and sensations of pins and needles.
Feet injuries: Risk of ankle sprains or other common foot injuries.
Foot Deformities: Bursitis, heel spurs, or any foot deformities.

Bookmark our blog page to read informative articles on foot care and tips and tricks for keeping your feet healthy.

Prescription foot orthoses (commonly called "orthotics") are precision medical devices that adjust and control the function of the foot and its alignment with the lower leg. They are used to treat/prevent injury-causing motions like excessive pronation (collapsing in) and supination (rolling out) and make standing, walking and running more effective. Some orthotics are designed to redistribute pressures on the bottom of your foot to alleviate pain from corns, calluses, and bony prominences. North Hill Foot & Ankle Clinic is your local clinic for orthotics in Calgary.

Your feet work extremely hard daily as the foundation of your entire body. Even the tiniest imbalance in your feet will hurt the rest of your body. Prescription orthotics can eliminate the pain. These personalized orthotics are intended to help you regain normal foot balance and alignment. If they function as intended, you should experience a significant reduction in any weariness or pain you were experiencing earlier.

Many commercially available insoles are referred to as "orthotics." However, not all are appropriate for your use. Some are quality products made by reputable companies, while others are "dressed up" simple insoles. The hard part is telling the difference. Getting the right orthotics for you begins with a thorough examination by the North Hill Foot & Ankle Clinic team. Custom-made prescription foot orthotics are made from a plaster cast (or a 3D laser scan) taken by a trained professional and made in a qualified, accredited lab.

Yes, they can be transferred between similar types of shoes. For example, if they were made primarily for athletic or walking-type shoes, you can easily move them to another shoe of this type. However, you likely wouldn't be able to fit them in dress shoes (including high heels) or specialized footwear like ski boots or skates. Talk to Dr. Crosby about orthotics specifically designed for other shoe types.

It is common to experience discomfort or soreness in the foot, leg, or lower back when wearing orthotics for the first time. This discomfort results from the realignment of the lower extremity and pelvis. It may take 2 to 3 weeks for your muscles and ligaments to adjust to the altered position. If the discomfort persists, it may indicate that your orthotics must be adjusted to suit your needs better.

Yes, standard orthotics are suitable for most activities, including sports, that do not cause severe impact on the foot. However, it is recommended to use sports orthotics for activities with a lot of ground impact, such as running, high-intensity aerobics, basketball, baseball, and more. Sports orthotics are different and are made of highly durable materials that help to disperse some of the force. In addition, they may feel bulkier and fit better in running or walking shoes.

The duration of orthotic wear varies depending on individual circumstances. Typically, orthotics are worn until they fulfill their intended purpose: to support the feet and alleviate pain. Some individuals may no longer require orthotics once the underlying issues are addressed and the pain is resolved. However, Dr. Crosby may recommend continued use to maintain proper foot and leg alignment, preventing future issues from arising. Ultimately, the decision to continue wearing orthotics is based on your specific needs and ongoing assessment by a healthcare professional.

Once Dr. Crosby has understood your case history and situation, the orthotics will be made. A 3D laser scan will capture the foot in its optimal neutral position, and a cast will be made. With its prescription, this cast is then sent to a professional-certified orthotic lab. There, your orthotic will be made according to your requirements. Once the orthotic is delivered, we will ensure you are comfortable.

After this, we will use physical therapy to help you even more.

Visit North Hill Foot & Ankle Clinic for Your Orthotics in Calgary

We understand that ankle and foot problems can cause physical discomfort and emotional stress. That's why we strive to alleviate your pain and put your mind at ease. Our podiatrist is highly trained and experienced in diagnosing foot disorders and providing follow-up care for custom orthotics, including other medical or surgical treatment forms. If you are experiencing persistent pain or other symptoms of a foot disorder, call us for custom orthotics in Calgary. You can also download, print, and fill out the client intake form to facilitate registration during your first appointment with us!