Functional foot orthotics are commonly fabricated using rigid materials, especially plastics (polypropylene) and carbon-fiber composites (XT Sprint and TL-2100). They are constructed from a plaster impression of the feet, and modified based on the Chiropodists assessment of your feet. Functional foot orthotics are actually quite comfortable with the appropriate break-in routine and the initial ‘weird feeling’ eventually goes away. The thickness of the orthotic shell will determine the rigidity of your orthotic and can be manufactured to be semi-flexible, semi-rigid or rigid depending on your need. Functional foot orthotics are more resistant to wear than more flexible devices and thus last slightly longer. General wear-and-tear of top covers and orthotic additions may require periodic replacement.

Unlike off-the-shelf insoles, functional posed orthotics control abnormal position and enhance normal movement of the foot and ankle. While standing or walking the foot is held in a more stable position. This allows the foot to function more efficiently. Functional orthotics reduce and slow down abnormal pronation of the foot. Pronation is a complex movement involving the turning out of the heels. This movement leads to an internal rotation of our lower leg and flattening of the medial arch. Abnormal pronation leads to stress on our muscles and ligaments. Functional orthotics help to prevent complications related to such an unstable foot by controlling this abnormal movement.