Platinum Winner: Custom Foot Orthotics
Voted #1 choice by the local community in the Official Markham Community Votes 2026 healthcare category.
Mount Joy Foot Clinic & Orthotic Centre warmly thanks all the voters in Markham for this distinguished Platinum Award.
We are truly honoured by your support!
Everyday Custom Foot Orthotics in Markham
From Functional and Diabetic to Dress Orthotics, we have the orthotics that fit your daily needs.
Foot discomfort can mess up your whole day making simple errands or a walk at the park a painful chore. If your feet hurt after standing for hours, or you have chronic aches that travel up into your knees and lower back, you might want to consider orthotics. Unlike the generic inserts you’ll find on pharmacy aisles, everyday orthotics are specialized tools designed to support your specific foot structure. But with so many options, how do you know which style will fit your daily routine?
Functional Orthotics: Designed for Biomechanical Support
If you’re looking to improve how your foot works and absorbs impact, functional orthotics are usually the way to go. They are made of firm, durable materials such as carbon fiber or semi-rigid medical plastics and structurally align your lower body . They help to actively control overpronation (rolling inward) stabilize your joints and reduce strain on the muscles and ligaments of your feet and legs. Best For: Active days, long walks, running your daily errands and managing conditions like arch pain, shin splints, or plantar fasciitis.
Orthotic Dress Shoes: Stylish support for work shoes
Most traditional inserts are too thick to fit comfortably inside formal footwear, heels or narrow office shoes. This is corrected with orthotics for shoes. They are designed to be much thinner, low profile. They eliminate the heavy bulk but still deliver targeted arch support and stability. Dress orthotics enable you to wear a professional or fashionable wardrobe without sacrificing foot health or suffering from end-of-day foot fatigue. Best For: Office workers, retail pros or anyone who’s on their feet for hours in dress shoes, loafers or low-profile shoes.
Accommodative Orthotics: Cushioning and Protection to the Max
If your feet need soft care, shock absorption and relief of tender pressure points, rather than rigid structural correction, accommodative orthotics are what you need. Accommodative orthotics are made of soft and flexible multi-layered materials such as dense foams and padding. These inserts gently contour to the unique shape of your soles. The weight is evenly distributed, which protects sensitive areas from friction, heavy blows and sharp pressure. Best For: Those with sensitive feet, arthritis, high-risk diabetic feet or foot complications related to circulation, typically worn inside deeper therapeutic shoes.
Getting the Right Fit
Ultimately, the best orthotics for daily wear will depend on your lifestyle, the type of shoes you wear most often and your desired level of comfort. Store bought cushions may provide some relief for tired feet, but custom made devices offer specific, long lasting support designed for your body.
Dress Orthotics: Thin, Low-Profile Designs
Ultra-thin custom orthotics designed to fit seamlessly into dress shoes, flats and loafers without sacrificing support.
Custom made dress orthotics are handcrafted to deliver maximum support and pain relief without the bulk, allowing them to slip seamlessly into high heels, pumps, loafers, and slim-profile dress shoes. Engineered from ultra-thin, durable materials, they stabilize your foot, reduce arch strain, and cushion every step—so you can look sharp and stay comfortable all day (and night) long.
Accommodative, Soft Custom Made Orthotics
Protective custom orthotics with cushioning engineered to relieve pressure on sensitive feet
Accommodative orthotics are specialized, soft-support inserts designed to cushion, protect, and redistribute pressure evenly for sensitive feet. Crafted from multi-density, shock-absorbing materials, they minimize friction and alleviate joint strain—offering essential relief and protection for conditions like diabetic neuropathy, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoarthritis.
VeriScan Podiatric 3D Laser Scanner
Precision Laser Scanning that Replicates Plaster of Paris Casting
Veriscan Podiatric Scanner (VPS) utilizes red line-laser 3D-imaging to quickly and accurately captures a true-dimension digital cast of the human foot. In tandem with Envisic's software, the VeriScan can complete and process a scan in seven seconds and send it along to the lab in another five seconds.
Plaster of Paris Casting
The Gold Standard in Precision Foot Orthotic Casting
Custom Orthotics: From Assessment to Everyday Comfort
1. Patient History
2. Examination
3. Casting
4. Prescription
5. Production
6. Fitting
7. Review & Repair
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to Common Question about Custom Foot Orthotics
Dress orthotics are a great choice for low profile footwear such as heels, dress flats, dress boots, etc. The quality of custom orthotics depends on the shoes they are used with. When prescribing dress orthotics, some sacrafices have to be made. Less support is provided in dress orthotics than in a standard orthotic. And with the many orthotic designs available, you can benefit from a whole array of footwear options, not just running 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.
Because functional orthotics are rigid or semi-rigid devices designed to actively alter biomechanical alignment, they require a gradual adjustment period. We generally recommend a break-in schedule starting with 1 to 2 hours on the first day, slowly increasing wear time by an hour each subsequent day. Mild muscle fatigue or tenderness can occur as your lower body adapts to its corrected posture, but you should consult our clinic if sharp pain develops.
Functional orthotics are custom-engineered to match the precise volume and contour of a specific shoe type used during your assessment. While they can sometimes be moved between shoes with matching footbeds and depth (such as athletic trainers and similar walking shoes), constantly swapping them can accelerate wear or cause poor stabilization if the footwear dimensions differ. For optimal results, we recommend using them in the primary footwear style you wear for your high-impact or daily active tasks.
Even though the high-grade materials used in functional orthotics (like carbon fiber and medical-grade plastics) are built for long-term durability, the internal structural correction can gradually shift over several years due to constant weight and impact. Additionally, changes in your weight, foot structure, or activity levels can alter your biomechanical needs. We recommend routine foot care check-ins with our chiropodists to evaluate the physical integrity and continued effectiveness of your devices.
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 in a more mechanically efficient position. 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 for structural stability, and a secure fastening system (like laces or strong velcro) to keep your foot locked in place over the device. Slippers, fashion flats, or highly flexible, unconstructed shoes generally do not provide enough internal stability or depth to accommodate the structural correction of a functional orthotic.
