Custom orthotics are individually designed to support your unique foot structure, biomechanics and gait. At Vancouver Orthotic Clinics, our assessment process may include 3D digital foot scanning, gait analysis, biomechanical assessment and postural evaluation to better understand how your feet and lower limbs function.
Whether you are experiencing plantar fasciitis, heel or arch pain, flat feet, bunions or other foot and lower-limb concerns, our goal is to determine whether custom orthotics are appropriate for your individual needs.
What Are Custom Orthotics?
Custom orthotics are prescription devices made specifically for an individual’s feet. Unlike mass-produced insoles, custom orthotics are designed using information gathered during a clinical assessment of your foot structure, biomechanics, gait and individual needs.
Depending on the findings of your assessment, custom orthotics may be designed to support or accommodate areas of the foot, improve how forces are distributed during standing and walking, and address biomechanical factors that may contribute to discomfort in the feet and lower limbs.
At Vancouver Orthotic Clinics, the decision to recommend custom orthotics is based on the findings of your assessment. The goal is to determine whether orthotics are appropriate for you and, when they are, to design them according to your individual biomechanics and needs.
Our Custom Orthotic Assessment Process
A custom orthotic should begin with a thorough assessment. At Vancouver Orthotic Clinics, we evaluate your feet and lower-limb biomechanics to better understand how you stand, walk and move. Depending on your individual needs, your assessment may include the following:
1. 3D Digital Foot Scan
A 3D digital scan captures detailed information about the shape and structure of your feet and provides measurements that can assist with the design of your custom orthotics.
2. Gait Analysis
We assess how your feet and lower limbs function while walking, looking for movement patterns and biomechanical factors that may be contributing to your symptoms.
3. Biomechanical & Postural Assessment
Your assessment may include evaluation of foot mechanics, alignment, range of motion and how the feet interact with the ankles, knees, hips and posture.
4. Individual Recommendations
Your findings are reviewed with you to determine whether custom orthotics are appropriate. When recommended, your orthotics are designed according to your assessment, foot mechanics and individual needs.
Our approach is individualized—the purpose of the assessment is not simply to prescribe orthotics, but to understand the factors that may be contributing to your concerns and recommend an appropriate course of care.
Conditions Custom Orthotics May Help
Custom orthotics may be considered when foot structure, biomechanics or gait are contributing to pain or difficulty with movement. Depending on the findings of your assessment, custom orthotics may form part of a treatment plan for a variety of foot and lower-limb concerns.
- Plantar fasciitis — heel and arch pain that may be associated with excessive strain on the plantar fascia.
- Heel pain and heel spurs — recurring heel discomfort that may be influenced by foot mechanics and pressure distribution.
- Flat feet and overpronation — excessive inward movement or reduced arch support during standing and walking.
- Bunions — foot mechanics and pressure patterns may contribute to discomfort around the big-toe joint.
- Metatarsalgia — pain or pressure beneath the ball of the foot.
- Achilles tendonitis — lower-limb mechanics may influence loading through the Achilles tendon.
- Ankle pain and shin splints — gait and alignment can affect forces travelling through the lower leg.
- Knee pain, hip pain and lower-back-pain — in some patients, lower-limb biomechanics may contribute to symptoms farther up the kinetic chain.
Not every foot or lower-limb problem requires custom orthotics. An individualized assessment can help determine whether orthotics are appropriate and whether other treatment or referral should be considered.
3D Foot Scanning & Gait Analysis
Custom orthotics should be based on more than simply knowing your shoe size or where your foot hurts. At Vancouver Orthotic Clinics, digital technology and clinical assessment are used together to help evaluate the structure and function of your feet.
3D digital foot scanning provides detailed information about the shape and contours of your feet. This information can be combined with findings from your clinical assessment when designing custom orthotics.
Gait analysis looks at how your feet and lower limbs function while you walk. Observing movement patterns can help identify biomechanical factors that may be associated with abnormal loading, instability or recurring foot and lower-limb discomfort.
These findings are considered alongside your symptoms, health history and physical assessment. Technology provides useful information, but it does not replace clinical evaluation and professional judgment.
Custom Orthotics vs. Store-Bought Insoles
Store-bought insoles and custom orthotics are not the same. Over-the-counter insoles are mass-produced in standard sizes and may provide general cushioning or arch support. For some people with mild or temporary discomfort, that may be all that is needed.
Custom orthotics, by comparison, are individually designed based on an assessment of your feet, biomechanics and gait. Their design can take into account factors such as foot structure, pressure distribution, alignment, movement patterns and the specific concerns identified during your assessment.
This does not mean that everyone with foot pain needs custom orthotics. The appropriate option depends on the cause of your symptoms, your individual biomechanics, activities and clinical findings. An assessment can help determine whether a custom device, an over-the-counter insole, different footwear or another approach may be more appropriate.
Custom Orthotics Cost & Insurance Coverage
The initial custom orthotic assessment at Vancouver Orthotic Clinics is $95. If custom orthotics are recommended following your assessment, the custom orthotics are $450 additional ($500 at our North Van & Maple Ridge Clinics). Because custom orthotics are individually designed and manufactured based on your assessment and prescription, they are different from over-the-counter insoles purchased at a pharmacy, shoe store or online.
Many extended health benefit plans provide coverage for custom orthotics, but coverage varies considerably between insurers and individual plans. Your plan may specify who must assess or prescribe the orthotics, what documentation is required, how often orthotics are eligible for replacement and the maximum amount that may be reimbursed.
Before purchasing custom orthotics, we recommend reviewing your extended health benefits or contacting your insurer directly to confirm your individual coverage requirements. Our clinic can provide the documentation associated with your assessment and custom orthotics; however, reimbursement is determined by your insurance provider and specific benefit plan.
Have questions about coverage? Learn more in our guide to custom orthotics insurance coverage.
Why Choose Vancouver Orthotic Clinics?
Choosing custom orthotics involves more than simply having your feet scanned. At Vancouver Orthotic Clinics, our focus is on combining clinical assessment, digital technology and individualized recommendations to better understand your foot and lower-limb biomechanics.
Our orthotic assessment process may include 3D digital foot scanning, gait analysis, biomechanical assessment and postural evaluation. These findings help determine whether custom orthotics are appropriate and, when recommended, provide information used in their design and fitting.
Vancouver Orthotic Clinics is Canadian owned and locally operated, with clinic locations throughout Greater Vancouver. Our goal is to make professional orthotic assessment convenient while providing patients with clear recommendations based on their individual findings.
- Comprehensive foot and lower-limb assessment
- Advanced 3D digital foot scanning
- Gait and biomechanical analysis
- Individually designed custom orthotics
- Canadian-made custom orthotics
- Multiple Greater Vancouver clinic locations
- New patients welcome
Frequently Asked Questions About Custom Orthotics
How much do custom orthotics cost in Vancouver?
At Vancouver Orthotic Clinics, the initial custom orthotic assessment is $95. If custom orthotics are recommended, the orthotics are $450 additional. Extended health insurance may cover some or all eligible costs depending on your individual benefit plan.
Does insurance cover custom orthotics?
Many extended health plans include benefits for custom orthotics, but coverage requirements and reimbursement limits vary. Some insurers require specific assessment, prescription and documentation requirements. We recommend confirming your coverage directly with your insurance provider before purchasing orthotics.
How are custom orthotics made?
Custom orthotics are individually designed using information gathered during your assessment. This may include findings from a physical and biomechanical examination, gait analysis and 3D digital foot scanning. The orthotics are then manufactured according to the prescription and specifications appropriate for your individual needs.
How long do custom orthotics last?
The lifespan of custom orthotics varies depending on factors such as frequency of use, activity level, footwear, body weight and changes in your feet or biomechanics. Regular reassessment can help determine whether your existing orthotics continue to meet your needs. They may last up to 3–5 years, yet we recommend a reassessment every 1-2 years.
Can custom orthotics help plantar fasciitis and heel pain?
Custom orthotics may be appropriate for some people with plantar fasciitis or heel pain when foot mechanics and loading are contributing factors. An assessment can help identify potential biomechanical factors and determine whether orthotics should form part of your treatment plan.
Do I need a 3D foot scan for custom orthotics?
A 3D digital foot scan can provide detailed information about foot shape and structure that may assist with orthotic design. However, scanning is only one part of the process. Clinical assessment, symptoms, biomechanics and gait should also be considered when determining whether custom orthotics are appropriate.
Book a Custom Orthotic Assessment in Vancouver
If you are experiencing foot or lower-limb discomfort or want to know whether custom orthotics may be appropriate for you, book a comprehensive orthotic assessment with Vancouver Orthotic Clinics.
Your $95 assessment may include 3D digital foot scanning, gait analysis, biomechanical assessment and postural evaluation. If custom orthotics are recommended, they are $450 additional.
Vancouver Orthotic Clinics welcomes new patients at convenient clinic locations throughout Vancouver and Greater Vancouver.