What are orthotics and how can they help people with foot problems?

Foot orthotics (or orthoses) are shoe inserts designed to improve an imbalance in the foot by supporting and aligning the foot.

There are many types of orthoses available from fully customized orthoses that can be fitted from plaster moulds of the foot to non custom or prefabricated orthoses.

Custom orthotics are fitted by a qualified practitioner such as a podiatrist and are often used when considerable realignment of the foot is required.

Prefabricated orthotics, such as Podlink foot care orthotics, are chosen when moderate control is required to improve foot function and are designed with this knowledge in mind.

People of all ages and a whole range of conditions wear orthoses. Generally speaking, any person with foot or lower leg pain or foot alignment problems that inhibit daily activity, may benefit from using orthotics.

What is the difference between insoles and orthotics?

Insoles generally offer some degree of palliative cushioning without offering any correction in the foot alignment that you would find in an orthotic.

'Insole' covers a range of products including a flat shoe lining included in the manufacturing process of a shoe, to the more contoured foot beds commonly seen in most styles of running shoes and safety boots. Insoles can be cut out from various density materials and fitted to a shoe in order to assist in shock absorption.

An orthotic is designed to exert some level of control or correction to the foot and provides a more targeted, longer lasting adjustment to the alignment of the foot. Podlink orthotics are designed specifically for this purpose.

What are the benefits of using prefabricated (or non-custom) orthotics instead of custom made orthotics?

That's the question we've been asked many times during our years as practicing podiatrists. If a health professional (such as a podiatrist) says you need custom orthoses, then you probably do.

In many cases however, a person needs moderate correction and this is when non custom orthoses are recommended, as quite pronounced improvements can often be seen even in the more severe foot types.

The advantages of using non custom orthotics instead of custom orthotics also include the fact that non custom orthotics are considerably less expensive. You can expect to pay hundreds of dollars for a professionally fitted pair of custom orthotics, as opposed to approximately AUS$60 for a pair of prefabricated orthotics such as Podlink foot care orthotics.

What are Podlink foot care orthotics made from?

Podlink has been through an exhaustive research and design phase to get the right correction, comfort and durability for its foot care orthotics. We are very grateful to all those people that willingly assisted us in the development stage and provided such excellent feedback - this information was vital in producing the final Podlink product.

The material used in Podlink foot care orthotics is SANTOPRENE. For all you golfers out there, you may have noticed that this material is commonly used on golf club grips.

Do I wear my Podlink orthotics in my shoes "full time" as soon as I receive them, or do I need to "wear them in"?

Podlink foot care orthotics are designed to change the alignment of the foot - consequently, they should be worn in slowly.

A good guide is to use them for half an hour on the first day and then increase this by about an hour each day. If this produces discomfort, then reduce the time they are in the shoe and then slowly increase again.

Some adjustment time is to be expected, possibly four to six weeks in extreme cases. If discomfort continues, contact us via email or see a local footcare professional in your area. A wearing guide is provided in the postal pack when your orthotics are sent to you.

What type of foot problems can Podlink orthotics be used for?

Podlink foot care orthotics can be used to improve a whole range of foot alignment problems. These include excessive pronation (or flat feet), heel pain, arch pain, bunion pain and pain under the ball of the foot.

Other foot problems that often respond well to Podlink orthotics are shin pain, knee pain (when allignment is an issue) and ankle pain. You can also receive considerable relief from aching feet and legs by using Podlink orthotics.

How long should I wear the orthotics for?

Once the initial wearing in period has been completed, you can wear your Podlink orthosis as much as you like.

The most important time to wear them is when you are weight bearing for long periods, or exercising. For example, if you are wearing Podlink orthosis to help with heel pain then it may be up to 6-12 weeks before your feet are feeling considerably better, but to maintain the improvement, it may be necessary to continue wearing them for 12 months. Many of our clients continue to wear their orthotics on a permanent basis because they have found the orthotics to be so comfortable.

We would love to hear how often you use your Podlink orthotics and for how long you use/used them. We continue to research the latest products, materials and designs in an effort to ensure that Podlink foot orthotics remain at the cutting edge of prefabricated orthotic technology. Your feedback will help us in this endeavour.

How long will it take before I notice an improvement in my feet?

Once the wearing in period is completed and appropriate footwear is being worn, most people begin to notice an improvement in the first 4-6 weeks. Between 6-12 weeks is generally when you can expect the most improvement. These time frames will obviously vary depending on the individual foot problem.

Check out our stretching and icing advice as this is also a valuable tool in helping to alleviate foot pain.

If the pain is not improving after 12 weeks, it may be necessary to visit a footcare professional for some specific advice. Take along your Podlink orthotics so your foot professional knows what you have been wearing.

Do I need to consult a medical practitioner?

If you have concerns regarding your feet it is a good idea  to get them checked out by a foot care professional. This is where you will get an individual diagnosis for your problem. One of the things they may recomend is the style of foot care orthotics that Podlink is able to provide.

How long will it take to receive my order in the post?

You can expect to receive your Podlink foot care orthotics in the post between four and ten days after you submit your online order.

(For suppliers) How do I arrange to stock Podlink foot orthotics in my store?

Go to our supplier link to fill in the information and we will do the rest.