Custom orthotics are medical-grade shoe inserts made specifically for your feet. Unlike over-the-counter insoles you can buy at a pharmacy, custom orthotics are prescribed by a podiatrist and fabricated to correct your unique foot biomechanics. They can be rigid or semi-rigid (for control) or soft/accommodative (for cushioning), or a combination, depending on your needs. Orthotics work by aligning your foot and ankle into an optimal position, distributing pressure evenly, and providing support where you need it. Essentially, they help fix faulty biomechanics – for instance, if you overpronate (your feet roll inward too much), an orthotic can prevent that, which in turn can stop the chain reaction of pain from your ankles, knees, even up to your back.

You might benefit from custom orthotics if you have:

• Plantar Fasciitis or Heel Pain: Orthotics can support your arch and reduce strain on the plantar fascia, often speeding up healing (most of our heel pain patients get orthotics as part of their treatment).

• Flat Feet or High Arches: Both can cause pain – flat feet can lead to overpronation and joint strain, high arches can cause under-pronation and poor shock absorption. Orthotics balance these issues out, providing arch support or added cushioning as needed.

• Arthritis in Feet/Ankles or Knees: Orthotics can offload pressure from certain areas (for example, a big toe joint with arthritis, or knees with arthritis by improving alignment). Seniors with arthritis often find they can walk longer with less pain with orthotic support.

• Bunions or Hammertoes: While orthotics can’t remove deformities, they can slow progression by correcting abnormal pressures and gait that contribute to these issues.

• Diabetic Foot Concerns: Diabetics often get accommodative orthotics to reduce pressure and prevent ulcers – soft orthotics can prevent those “hot spots” that could turn into wounds.

• Growing Pains, Shin Splints, Achilles Tendonitis, or Knee Pain: Often caused by foot mechanics. For instance, orthotics can help prevent shin splints by reducing overpronation that stresses the shin muscles. The American College of Sports Medicine even recommends certain orthotics/braces to prevent ankle sprains in athletes.

• Lower Back Pain Related to Foot Posture: Sometimes, fixing how your feet function can relieve back pain, because everything in the kinetic chain is connected.

• Anyone on Their Feet All Day: Even without a specific diagnosis, if you have foot fatigue or aches from a long workday (nurses, retail workers, etc.), orthotics can add comfort and reduce that end-of-day soreness.

In short, custom orthotics are for people of all ages and walks of life who want to walk, run, and stand more comfortably. They aren’t just for “flat feet” – athletes use them to improve performance and prevent injuries, and yes, many seniors rely on them to maintain balance and mobility

Not all orthotics are created equal. Here’s what makes our approach outstanding – and why we have the trust of groups like the military and professional athletes:

• Precise Customization: Dr. Patish performs a thorough evaluation: we examine your foot structure, watch you walk (gait analysis), and identify pressure points. We utilize Plaster of Paris casting techniques, that are considered "old school" but are still the gold standard of casting for custom orthotics. These molds are sent to a top orthotic lab with Dr. Patish’s specific instructions on materials and corrections. The result is an orthotic that is truly custom – it matches the contours of your arches perfectly and addresses your specific issues, whether adding a heel cushion, a metatarsal pad for ball-of-foot support, or extra arch reinforcement. We’re basically designing a device unique to you, down to the millimeter. 
• Military-Grade Endorsement: The U.S. military knows a thing or two about preventing injuries in high-demand situations. Rigorous training like boot camp or daily drills on hard tarmac cause many overuse injuries. That’s why military doctors often prescribe custom orthotics to service members. In fact, studies in military populations show positive results – for example, one study found that trainees with orthotics had significantly less foot pain and were less likely to fall out of training due to injuries. Our clinic has provided orthotics for active Marines and Navy from Camp Pendleton and soldiers who reported not only reduced pain but also that their orthotics helped them run and ruck hike more efficiently. When your job is to be on your feet all day (with a pack and boots, no less), orthotics can be mission-critical gear. We’re proud that our orthotics have the confidence of military folks – it means they’re effective, and up to a high standard.
• Athlete-Tested, Athlete-Approved: Many professional and amateur athletes rely on orthotics – you might be surprised to know that even superstar athletes like LeBron James and Tiger Woods have used custom orthotics to enhance performance and prevent injury (unfortunately not our orthotics, but still...). For runners, orthotics can reduce the risk of plantar fasciitis, shin splints, Achilles issues, and stress fractures by correcting biomechanical imbalances. They also improve comfort allowing longer training with less fatigue. We’ve made orthotics for marathon runners, soccer players, golfers, tennis and pickleball enthusiasts in our community. They often tell us their knees and shins stop hurting once they start using their orthotics, and they feel more stable during quick movements. We use high-quality, sport-appropriate materials – for instance, a runner’s orthotic may be semi-flexible with good shock absorption, whereas a golfer might need a thinner device that fits in a cleat with emphasis on balance. Our goal is not just pain relief, but performance optimization. When your foot is properly aligned, you use your muscles more efficiently – some athletes even report slight improvements in speed or endurance because their form is better. Think of orthotics as sports equipment inside your shoe that guides your body into the best form.
• Senior Friendly – Focus on Comfort and Balance: For our more mature patients, we pay special attention to comfort and stability. As we age, fat pads on the bottom of the feet thin out – making feet more sensitive to hard surfaces. Arthritis can also make joints stiff or painful. Our orthotics for seniors often incorporate extra cushioning (like a soft top cover or gel heel) and are designed to improve balance. By providing better arch support and correcting pronation, orthotics help align the body and can reduce the risk of falls. One study noted that orthotics can enhance stability and reduce fall risk in seniors by improving proprioception (your foot’s sense of position). We also consider ease of use – we ensure the orthotic fits well into the shoes seniors commonly wear (be it orthopedic sneakers or even dress shoes), and we instruct on how to gradually break them in so there’s no discomfort. We’ve had patients tell us, “These inserts have given me my mobility back!” – because suddenly they can walk to the park or around the mall without the usual pain. And that’s huge for quality of life.
• Quality Materials & Craftsmanship: We partner with top orthotic labs that use high-grade materials – from resilient polypropylene shells to medical-grade EVA foam and leather or anti-microbial top covers. Our orthotics are built to last; typically, they’ll serve you well for two to five years (though we recommend a check-up every year or two as your feet or activities may change). They are also often adjustable – if after a few weeks you feel a little tweak is needed (say, a spot feels high or you need more or less arch), we can have the lab modify them. This fine-tuning capability is something off-the-shelf inserts can’t offer. In short, these are premium devices – an investment in your health and comfort.

Getting custom orthotics at our clinic is straightforward and even fun (we love showing patients their foot molds and explaining all the cool things we can do). Here’s what to expect:

1. Comprehensive Evaluation: Dr. Patish will examine your feet, discuss your symptoms and goals, and have you walk to assess alignment issues. We’ll measure your foot biomechanics and might do some tests like checking flexibility or leg length.
2. Casting: We capture an exact impression of your feet in the corrected position. This will involve lying on your stomach (or your back, if you cannot be face down for 10-15 minutes) while we hold your foot in neutral position and wrap it in plaster bandages which harden into a cast. Kids sometimes think it’s like arts-and-crafts for feet!
3. Prescription and Fabrication: Based on all the info, Dr. Patish writes a detailed prescription for your orthotics. We send this to our partner lab. In three to four weeks, your custom orthotics arrive.
4. Fitting Appointment: You’ll come in to pick up your orthotics. We’ll have you try them on in your shoes. It’s normal for orthotics to feel a bit  (or a lot) strange at first – after all, your foot is being supported in areas that were previously unsupported. However, they should feel comfortable – like your arch is evenly contacting the insert without painful pressure. We’ll make sure there’s no pinching or sliding. 
5. Break-in Guidance: We’ll instruct you to wear the orthotics gradually: maybe 1-2 hours the first day, 3-4 the next, and so on, increasing each day. This lets your feet and body adjust to the new alignment. Within a week or two, you should be wearing them full-time in your shoes. We’ll tell you to expect that you might feel some muscle soreness in your legs or back initially – that’s actually a sign your posture is adjusting. It’s usually mild and passes quickly.
6. Follow-up: After about 2-4 weeks of use, we like to follow up (call or visit) to see how you’re doing. If you’re loving them – fantastic! If there’s an issue, we’ll address it. Our goal is your total satisfaction. We won’t rest until you say “Yes, these feel great.”

Use Them Consistently: For best results, wear your orthotics in all shoes that they fit in. If you have multiple pairs of supportive shoes, you can swap the orthotics between them. The more you wear them, the more benefit you’ll get as your feet will consistently be in good alignment. 

Footwear Choices: Orthotics work best in shoes that themselves are decent. A flimsy shoe plus an orthotic is better than nothing, but ideally, pair your orthotic with a quality shoe (sturdy heel counter, some cushion). We can recommend brands or styles if you like. Many athletic and casual shoes have removable insoles – you take those out and put our orthotics in. Ladies, for dress shoes or heels, we can make special orthotics (like 3/4 length ones) that fit into those, but very high heels are tricky – we might discuss lowering heel height (or potentially letting go of your "fashionable" shoes) while wearing orthotics for comfort.

Keep Them Clean: Our orthotics come with a top cover that’s usually anti-odor, but you can wipe them with a rubbing alcohol damp cloth now and then. Let them air out overnight if they get sweaty. Refrain from tossing them in the washer or dryer – it WILL ruin them. They’re pretty low maintenance overall.

Monitor Wear and Tear: Over years, the orthotic may show signs of wear – the cover might wear out or the shell might slightly deform after sustained use (especially if you’re a heavier individual or very active). We offer refurbishing (for some models of orthotics) – new top covers, minor fixes – so you don’t necessarily need a whole new orthotic if the shell is still good. Typically, an orthotic lasts 2-5 years, sometimes longer. But if your foot shape changes (e.g., after bunion surgery or something), you might need a new fitting sooner.

Listen to Your Body: While orthotics often provide relief, if you ever develop new pain (especially in your knees, hips, or back) after getting orthotics, let us know. It could mean an adjustment is needed or it could be coincidental. We just like to ensure everything is working harmoniously.

When your feet feel good, everything feels better. We’ve seen patients go from dreading their daily walk to enjoying it, all because of custom orthotics. One patient, an avid pickleball player in her 60s, came in with ball-of-foot pain (metatarsalgia). After getting orthotics with a metatarsal pad and cushion, she was back to playing daily, pain-free, and she joked that her orthotics “are my secret sauce – none of my opponents know I have this edge now!” Another, a construction worker, said his chronic low back pain diminished once he started wearing orthotics in his work boots – his posture improved without him even realizing it.

Our aim is to provide you with orthotics that you’ll actually want to wear. Some people worry they’ll be bulky or uncomfortable – modern orthotics can be surprisingly slim and lightweight. And because they’re custom, they fit like a puzzle piece to your foot, which actually can feel really natural after the break-in period. We often hear, “If I go a day without them, I can really tell – I want them back in!”

Even if you’re not currently in pain, orthotics can be preventative. Athletes often get them to stave off injuries. If you’re starting to train for a marathon or have a job that’s intensifying, it might be wise to get assessed.

Remember, happy feet = happy you. Don’t underestimate how much being free of foot aches can improve your mood and energy.

Step into Comfort – Get Your Custom Orthotics: Contact us via phone or text to schedule a consultation for custom orthotics. No referral needed – you can self-refer and say you’re interested in orthotics. We’ll handle the rest. During your visit, feel free to bring your favorite shoes or the ones you wear most – we’ll ensure the orthotics will work with them. If you have old orthotics that aren’t helping, bring them too; we can see what’s going on. Our team is excited to show you how much better you can feel with this simple addition to your footwear. Take the first step (literally) toward pain-free, supported feet today. Your arches will thank you, and so will your knees and back!