Everyday Custom Orthotics For All Day Comfort in Work and Dress Shoes
If your feet ache after a long shift, a day at the office or a busy day of errands, the shoes you wear most may not support your feet well enough. Everyday custom orthotics are prescription insoles made from a 3D scan or plaster cast of your feet. They’re designed around the work and dress shoes you actually wear. Drugstore inserts come in standard shapes; custom orthotics are made for your foot shape, the way you walk and your footwear.
Our registered chiropodists in Markham assess how you stand and walk, then prescribe one of two everyday styles: functional orthotics for work and casual shoes, or slim dress orthotics for formal footwear. Both follow the same assessment, casting and fitting process described on our custom orthotics in Markham page.
Functional Orthotics for Work and Casual Shoes
Functional orthotics are made from semi-rigid materials such as carbon fibre or medical-grade polymers. They’re designed to support your arches, help control overpronation (rolling inward) and reduce strain on the muscles and ligaments of your feet and legs. Your chiropodist may recommend them if you:
- Stand or walk for long hours at work, such as nurses, teachers, retail staff, warehouse workers and trades
- Wear work boots, safety shoes or casual sneakers most days
- Have flat feet, high arches, heel pain or shin splints
Functional orthotics fit best in shoes with a removable insole and a firm heel counter.
Dress Orthotics for Office and Formal Shoes
Standard orthotics are often too thick for dress shoes, loafers, flats or low heels. Dress orthotics use a thinner, low-profile shell and a slim top cover, so they fit narrower, shallower shoes while still supporting your arch. A slimmer orthotic gives somewhat less support than a full-size pair, and your chiropodist will explain what to expect for your feet.
Dress orthotics suit office professionals and anyone who wears business shoes, loafers, flats, dress boots or low heels for work or special events.
Choosing the Right Everyday Orthotic
The right style depends on your foot assessment, your daily activities and the shoes you wear most. Bring the shoes you wear most often to your appointment so your chiropodist can design your orthotics around them. If you switch between work shoes and dress shoes, ask whether one pair can work for both.
For pricing, insurance coverage and our full step-by-step process, see our main custom orthotics page, or book your orthotic assessment online
Foot Orthotics: From Assessment to Everyday Comfort
From a detailed foot and gait assessment to personalized fitting and follow-up care, our chiropodists guide you through each step to help you get the most from your custom orthotics.
1. Patient History & Exam
2. Casting
3. Prescription & Production
4. Dispensing & Follow-up
Your Orthotics are Prescribed and Fitted by Registered Chiropodists
Suleman Bhatti, D.Ch and our chiropody team have been assessing and fitting custom orthotics for patients in Markham, Unionville and Stouffville since 2008. All our chiropodists are registered with the College of Chiropodists of Ontario in good standing.
Podiatric 3D Laser Scanner
Laser Scanning that Replicates Plaster of Paris Casting
Our digital scanner utilizes red line-laser 3D-imaging to quickly and accurately captures a true-dimension digital cast of the human foot. Our scanner can complete and process a scan in seven seconds and send it along to the lab in another five seconds.
Plaster of Paris Casting
A traditional, non-weight-bearing casting method
Cost and Insurance Coverage
Mount Joy Foot Clinic sells custom orthotics for $575 a pair. This includes a casting (3D laser scan or plaster of Paris), a pair of custom orthotics, and your dispensing visit. Many extended health plans will cover some or all of the cost, often when a claim includes a prescription, a documented biomechanical assessment, and proof of casting. In some cases, direct billing for custom orthotics may be accepted.
Custom orthotics are not covered by OHIP. We recommend you check your plan’s requirements ahead of your appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common Questions about Everyday Orthotics
Dress orthotics excellent for low profile footwear such as low heel dress shoes, dress flats, dress boots, etc. Work and dress orthotics provide slightly less support than standard orthotics but give you the flexibility of wearing custom orthotics in a wider variety of shoes.
No. Dress orthotics cost you the same fee as standard orthotics at $575. When prescribing dress orthotics, we often use premium shell materials like carbon fibre or graphite and genuine leather or suede covers. This allow us to keep the orthoics ultra-slim and supportive without an added cost to you.
Typically, custom orthotics can be broken-in over a period of 1-2 weeks. Your chiropodists will outline the correct way for you to adjust to new custom orthotics.
Everyday or functional orthotics can be used in a variety of shoes. Advise your chiropodist which should you wish to have your orthotics fit to. They will help prescribe a device that can maximize your use.
Most well-made custom orthotics can last upto 3 years even with regular daily use. Over time, changes to your feet occur or orthotics support weakens, which may require replacing your orthotics. Routine follow-ups with our chiropodists makes sure you are wearing the best support possible.
A common misconception is that supportive inserts cause the muscles to "atrophy" from lack of use. In reality, functional orthotics optimize your biomechanics, allowing your muscles, tendons, and joints to operate more efficiently. Rather than doing the work for your muscles, they reduce abnormal strain and fatigue, enabling you to exercise and move with a healthier, more balanced muscle recruitment pattern.
Functional orthotics perform best in shoes that feature a removable factory insole, a firm heel counter, a strong midsole, and a secure fastening system (like laces or strong velcro) to keep your foot locked in place over the device.
Ready To Book Your Assessment?
Get fitted for your everyday custom orthotics today!
Take the first step toward healthier, happier feet. Schedule your custom orthotic assessment with our experienced, registered chiropodists at Mount Joy Foot Clinic & Orthotic Centre.
