Custom foot orthotics are designed specifically for one person’s feet. These Custom devices are made from exact impressions of patients’ feet. Over the counter arch supports are a one size fits all. If you are a size 9 , you get the size 9-10 arch supports regardless of the shape of your feet.
The following sequence of pictures will reveal a few steps in the fabrication process of a custom orthotic device. No two custom orthotics are the same. The following picture sequence will help patients understand the time, effort, complexity and costs behind the prescription custom foot orthotic.
1. Here, I am making plaster impressions of a patient’s foot
2. Negative plaster mold
3.Pouring plaster into the negative cast
4.Removing the negative cast
5. A positive mold illustrating the amount of correction needed to balance the foot.
6. Balanced cast before corrections
7. Positive cast mold with forefoot correction
8.Completely corrected positive mold ready on the press.
9.A completed positive mold with the ‘problem spot’ of the foot marked
10. Heating the shell material for the vacuum press.
11. Vacuum press is engaged on the left
12. Grinding the shell of the orthotic
13. Grinding the posts of the orthotic
14. Finished shell before any pads or top covers are added
15. Preparing to add other layers
16. Orthotic shell with pads before the top cover is added
17. Nearly completed pressed orthotics
18. Adding the top covers
19. Samples of completed orthotics
Dr Fritz has experience as a Podiatric physician and surgeon and also as a Certified Pedorthist. He also has first hand experience in orthotic fabrication. Fritz is President of Allentown Family Foot Care and a member of a team of sports minded podiatrists who share a common goal…Keeping patients on their feet and engaged in an active lifestyle to promote overall health!
