New Year—Time for a New Set of Orthotics?

Dec 23, 2020

Let’s be honest. 2020 was a bit of a rocky year for almost all of us, in more ways than one. No matter who you are, or where life has taken you, chances are you’re looking forward to the new year and want to make sure you start 2021 on the right foot.

Of course, that can be tough to do when foot pain is a big part of your day-to-day experience. But fortunately, that’s something we can help you with!

If you’re looking to put a spring back in your step for 2021 and beyond, a new set of custom orthotics—whether you already have a first pair or not—could be just what you need.

What Can Custom Orthotics Can Do for Your Feet

One of the great things about custom orthotics is that they can go far beyond simply adding a little bit of support, cushioning, or comfort.

Of course, they do those things too! But unlike cheap insoles you could buy at the pharmacy, custom orthotics can go a step further and actually address some of the root causes of your foot and ankle pain. Your set of custom orthotics is made just for you, using a mold or scan of your own two feet. The inserts are built to your exact specifications, and tailored to specifically address any biomechanical problems that are contributing to your pain.

So, for example, if your foot rolls too far inward (overpronates) during the gait cycle, your custom orthotics can help control that motion and stabilize the back of the foot, helping you to walk with a more neutral and sustainable gait. This not only helps with the short-term pain but keeps it from returning, too!

And because they fix biomechanical problems, custom orthotics can address far more than simple aches and pains in the feet. Restoring proper alignment and motion can greatly reduce stress, pain, and injury risks throughout the entire body, including the legs, knees, hips, and even back.

And furthermore, unlike cheap insoles, custom orthotics are made from high quality materials and should last you well over a year—and sometimes up to five years or longer.

New Year—Time for a New Set of Orthotics

Why Would I Need More than One Pair?

This section is for those of you who already have a set of custom orthotics that you’re happy with.

You might wonder a bit about the wisdom of going back for a second (or third, or fourth) pair of orthotics if you’re already getting good performance out of the set you have. However, there are many practical reasons why having multiple pairs of orthotics can be a major benefit:

  • You can get orthotics for different pairs of shoes, or even different activities. Say you have a pair of dress shoes you like to wear, but they’re a little narrower than your casual shoes and your current orthotics don’t fit quite as well. Having dedicated pairs of orthotics for different shoes means you get a great fit no matter what—and you don’t have to deal with constantly switching your orthotics back and forth, either!
  • Your orthotics last even longer. We recommend that most people wear their orthotics all day, every day. When you have only one pair, all the wear and tear is concentrated on a single set. Having two or more pairs reduces the stress on each pair individually and increases the lifespan for all of them.
  • You have “backups” for when you need them. While custom orthotics are highly durable, they won’t last forever. At some point, they will wear down and need to be replaced. Plus, life happens—sometimes orthotics get misplaced, chewed up by the dog, etc. Having extra sets to switch into ensures that your feet don’t lose the support they rely on!

We Can Help You Get the Best Possible Deal on New Orthotics

At Heartland Foot & Ankle, we work hard to make sure our patients can get the exceptional podiatric treatments and products they need as affordably as possible. Quality health care should never be out of reach. That’s why we offer a variety of payment plans, and why we’ll work to make sure you get the most out of whatever insurance benefits you’re entitled to.

There’s still time to see us before the end of the year (if you call soon!), and that can be a big help to patients who have money they need to spend out of a flex spending account (FSA), which generally does not roll over from year to year; or a health reimbursement arrangement (HRA), which may not fully roll over depending on what your employer allows. Furthermore, if you’ve already met your deductible for 2020, booking an appointment before the new year could help you maximize the coverage percentage your plan offers.

But even if you don’t get started on that new pair until 2021, there are still ways to save money and stress. Many insurance plans will cover a new set of orthotics for qualified patients on a regular basis—as much as one per year in many cases. Taking advantage of this allowance to pick up a new set of orthotics regularly can help you save money and protect your long-term health.

Our office is also happy to offer many self-pay and financing options, including CareCredit. And we even have a pediatric orthotics outgrowth policy that provides significant discounts on new pairs of orthotics for children once they’ve outgrown them.

Bottom line, we are flexible and we will fight for you to ensure you get the exceptional care you need.

So whether you’re currently struggling with ongoing foot and ankle pain, or you’re happy with your current orthotics and just want to keep the good times rolling, contact us now! You can reach us at (309) 661-9975, or request an appointment online.