Custom Orthotics
A custom orthotic is a device designed to align the foot and ankle into the most anatomically efficient position. They look like insoles but are biomechanical medical appliances that are custom-made to correct your specific foot imbalance. Custom orthotics work on your feet much like glasses work on your eyes. They reduce stress and strain on your body by bringing your feet back into proper alignment. The plastic body of the custom orthotic helps realign the foot by redirecting and reducing certain motions that take place during the gait cycle.
Custom orthotics fit into your shoes as comfortably as an insole, and they have the advantage of having been made from precise imprints of your feet.
Those with . . .
Localized foot pain
Bunions, hammer toes
Arch/heel pain
Leg/knee pain
Hip or back pain
An appointment with Dr. Korah will be booked in order to perform a biomechanical gait analysis and an assessment of foot mechanics. The chiropractor will also conduct a health history and evaluate your needs from the orthotic and will spend time recommending the type of orthotic that would be most suitable for your lifestyle and the activities you engage in. The casting is done in a foam mould at the end of the appointment and is sent to a lab where the custom orthotic is created. The typical turnaround time is 2-4 weeks.
Policies can vary from one insurance company to another and even within different departments in the same company. Therefore, it is recommended that patients verify the requirements they must satisfy for proper reimbursement. Most often insurance companies require a prescription from a medical doctor, a chiropodist, or a podiatrist.
Some may also dictate which practitioners are allowed to cast the mould for the custom orthotic. Finally, some may also require the practitioner who is fitting the orthotic to provide a biomechanical assessment. So, when calling your insurance company regarding your coverage for such medical devices, the following questions can help guide and clarify what the necessary requirements are for coverage:
"Do I need a prescription? If so, who can write the prescription?"
"Who can cast the orthotic?"
