Orthotics in Esperance
Orthotics are shoe inserts designed to change how load is spread through your feet and legs. Made and fitted well, for the right problem, they can reduce pain, minimise structural changes over time, and help you stay active.
We keep a large range of ready-made orthotics in stock, so in most cases Rebecca can choose, modify and fit the right pair for you at your appointment, with no waiting. When your feet need something more specific, we also offer custom foot orthotics, carbon fibre plates and the Richie Brace ankle-foot orthotic (AFO).
Orthotics aren't the answer for every foot problem, and they work best as part of a plan that may also include footwear changes and exercises. Rebecca will only recommend them if she thinks they'll help.
What orthotics can help with
Ball of foot pain, including Morton's neuroma and plantar plate injury
Ankle, leg and knee pain, such as shin splints, tendon pain and kneecap pain
Bunions and other painful pressure areas
Foot pain related to arthritis
Pressure areas in people with diabetes
Sports and running injuries
Our orthotic options
Ready-made orthotics: our first choice for most people
Most of the orthotics we supply are ready-made, and for good reason. Modern ready-made orthotics are well designed, and with a large range of styles and levels of support on hand, Rebecca can match the right device to your feet, your condition and your shoes, then adjust and modify it in the clinic.
Fitted on the day, so you can start wearing them straight away
Modified to suit you, with extra padding, wedging or arch adjustments where needed
Lower cost than custom devices: $140 a pair
Easy to try on during your consultation, so you know exactly how they feel before you get them
Custom orthotics
Custom orthotics are made from a plaster cast or 3D scan of your feet and built to Rebecca's prescription, with the shape, materials and modifications chosen for your feet, your condition and your shoes. They're the better choice when your feet need a specific correction that a ready-made device can't provide, when ready-made orthotics haven't worked, or when you need a device that fits a particular type of shoe.
Carbon fibre plates
A thin, stiff carbon fibre plate that sits under your insole. It stops the shoe and your forefoot bending as much as you push off, which takes strain off painful joints and tissues in the ball of the foot. Carbon fibre plates can help with big toe joint arthritis (hallux rigidus), plantar plate injuries, capsulitis, some stress fractures and other painful forefoot conditions. For most conditions, the aim is to wear them as much as possible for 6-8 weeks and then transition out of them.
The Richie Brace
The Richie Brace is an ankle-foot orthosis (AFO): a custom foot orthotic attached to lightweight, hinged supports on either side of the ankle. It was designed by US podiatrist Dr Douglas Richie. Unlike bulky traditional AFOs, it fits inside most lace-up walking and sports shoes and lets the ankle move naturally while controlling unwanted motion.
The Richie Brace may be suitable when foot orthotics alone aren't enough, including for:
progressive collapsing foot deformity (PCFD) and tibialis posterior tendon problems
ongoing ankle instability or repeated ankle sprains
foot drop
arthritis in some rearfoot and midfoot joints
Like custom orthotics, the Richie Brace is made from a plaster cast or 3D scan of your foot and ankle to Rebecca's prescription, then fitted and reviewed in the clinic.
Rebecca will talk you through which option suits you.
What's involved
1. Assessment. Rebecca assesses your feet, legs, the way you walk and your footwear, and works out what's causing your pain and whether orthotics are likely to help.
2. Choosing or capturing your foot shape. For ready-made orthotics, Rebecca selects and modifies a pair from our range and fits them on the spot. For custom orthotics or a Richie Brace, she takes a plaster cast or 3D scan of your feet.
3. Manufacture (custom devices only) or customisation (ready-made devices). Custom orthotics and Richie Braces are made by a specialist orthotic laboratory to Rebecca's prescription. This usually takes a few weeks. Ready-made devices can be adjusted during your consultation - Rebecca has a grinder hiding in one of her cupboards!
4. Fitting. Rebecca checks the fit in your shoes and makes any adjustments, and explains how to wear them in.
5. Review. A follow-up visit a few weeks later checks how you're going, and fine-tunes the orthotics if needed.
Wearing in and looking after your orthotics
Build up gradually. Start with an hour or two a day and increase over a week or two.
Shoes matter. Orthotics work best in lace-up shoes with a firm heel counter and a removable insole. Bring the shoes you'll wear them in to your appointments.
They last. Custom orthotics typically last several years. Top covers may wear out sooner and can be replaced.
Care. Wipe them clean with a damp cloth and let them air dry. Keep them away from direct heat, such as heaters or a hot car dashboard.
Orthotic fees
Ready-made orthotics: $140 per pair, plus your consultation
Carbon fibre plates: $80 each, plus your consultation
Custom orthotics: $710 per pair, including your examination and casting
Richie Brace: $1,230 each, including your examination and casting
Review appointments are charged at our standard time-based consultation fees. See our fees.
If your private health extras cover includes orthotics, you can claim on the spot with our Tyro terminal. How much you get back depends on your fund and level of cover. Many funds limit orthotic claims to one pair every 12 months or so, so check with yours.
Book an assessment
If you're wondering whether orthotics could help, book in with Rebecca at Esperance Podiatry. No referral is needed. Please bring the shoes you wear most often, and any orthotics you've had before.
Call (08) 9072 1514 or visit us at Suite B, 116 Dempster Street, Esperance.