Custom Orthotics

Custom Orthotics in Salt Lake City, Utah

Personalized foot support to improve alignment, reduce pain, support activity, and help treat common foot and ankle conditions.

⚡ Same-day visits available
📍 Inside St. Mark’s Hospital
🦶 Custom + non-custom options
💳 Medicare + most insurance accepted
Custom orthotics and shoe inserts in Salt Lake City
Overview

Custom Orthotics in Salt Lake City

At Salt Lake City Podiatry, Dr. Zak Oddone provides custom orthotics designed to improve foot alignment, reduce pain, support long-term function, and help address biomechanical problems that contribute to foot and ankle symptoms. Orthotics can be an important part of treatment for heel pain, flat feet, arch pain, tendon problems, forefoot pain, sports injuries, and other conditions.

We offer both custom and non-custom orthotic options depending on your needs, condition, foot structure, activity level, and lifestyle. Some patients need a prescription device made specifically for their feet, while others do well with high-quality prefabricated inserts. Our goal is to recommend the option that makes the most sense for your symptoms and budget.

Definition

What Are Custom Orthotics?

Custom orthotics are prescription devices made specifically for your feet. They are designed to support your arches, improve foot and ankle alignment, reduce abnormal pressure, and decrease strain on joints, ligaments, tendons, and soft tissues. Unlike many over-the-counter inserts, custom orthotics are tailored to your individual foot structure and biomechanics.

Orthotics are not just “cushions.” A well-designed orthotic can help control motion, redistribute pressure, support painful areas, and improve how your foot functions during walking, standing, running, or work activity. They are often used as part of a larger treatment plan rather than as a stand-alone solution.

Benefits

How Orthotics Can Help

Orthotics may be recommended to:

  • Improve foot and ankle alignment.
  • Reduce stress on joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles.
  • Provide targeted support where your foot needs it most.
  • Reduce pressure under painful areas of the heel, arch, or forefoot.
  • Support activity, work, exercise, and long periods of standing.
  • Help prevent worsening of certain foot and ankle conditions.
Conditions

Conditions Treated with Orthotics

Orthotics can help with a wide range of foot and ankle problems, especially when pain is related to mechanics, pressure, arch support, or repetitive stress. They may be used alone or alongside stretching, shoe changes, physical therapy, injections, wound prevention, or other treatments.

Heel Pain

Orthotics may reduce strain on the plantar fascia and help support the arch.

Flat Feet & Arch Pain

Support can improve alignment and decrease fatigue or strain through the arch.

Achilles Tendinitis

Orthotics may reduce abnormal mechanics that increase Achilles tendon stress.

Forefoot Pain

Orthotics can help redistribute pressure under the ball of the foot.

Overuse Injuries

Improved support may reduce repetitive stress during walking, running, or work.

Knee, Hip, or Back Strain

Foot mechanics can sometimes contribute to symptoms higher up the chain.

Comparison

Custom vs. Non-Custom Orthotics

Both custom and non-custom orthotics can be helpful. The right choice depends on your symptoms, foot structure, diagnosis, activity level, and how your feet respond to support.

Custom Orthotics

Custom orthotics are made specifically for your feet. They are often recommended for chronic pain, complex mechanics, recurring symptoms, significant deformity, pressure redistribution, or when over-the-counter inserts have not provided enough relief.

Non-Custom Orthotics

High-quality prefabricated inserts can provide support and cushioning for many mild to moderate symptoms. They are often a good first step for patients who need arch support, heel cushioning, or general comfort.

Process

Our Orthotic Process

At Salt Lake City Podiatry, we take a personalized approach. We do not recommend orthotics simply because someone has foot pain. We first evaluate your symptoms, foot structure, gait, shoe gear, activity demands, and the condition being treated.

  • Foot and gait evaluation to understand how your feet function.
  • Assessment of symptoms and diagnosis to determine whether orthotics are appropriate.
  • Recommendation of custom or non-custom support based on your needs.
  • Fitting and shoe compatibility review to improve comfort and usability.
  • Adjustments when needed to improve long-term function and comfort.
Diabetes

Orthotics for Diabetic Patients

Proper support is especially important for patients with diabetes. Orthotics can help redistribute pressure, reduce areas of rubbing, and support foot structure to lower the risk of calluses, skin irritation, wounds, and ulcers. This is particularly important for patients with neuropathy, foot deformities, prior wounds, or pressure points.

Diabetic patients should not ignore areas of redness, callus buildup, shoe rubbing, or skin changes. Orthotics and appropriate shoes may be part of a prevention plan, especially when paired with regular diabetic foot evaluations.

Learn more about our diabetic foot care services.
When to Consider

When to Consider Orthotics

You may benefit from an orthotics evaluation if you experience:

  • Chronic foot or heel pain.
  • Arch pain, flat feet, or foot fatigue.
  • Pain with walking, standing, work, or exercise.
  • Recurring ankle, tendon, or overuse problems.
  • Forefoot pressure, ball-of-foot pain, or neuroma symptoms.
  • Diabetes-related pressure points, calluses, or wound risk.
Related Care

Related Conditions We Treat

Orthotics are commonly used as part of treatment for heel pain, Achilles tendinitis, sports injuries, neuromas, bunions, hammertoes, diabetic foot concerns, and other pressure-related problems. The goal is to reduce stress on painful areas and improve long-term foot function.

You may also be interested in our pages on heel pain treatment, Achilles tendinitis treatment, ankle pain and sports injuries, neuroma treatment, and conditions we treat.

Our Practice

Why Choose Salt Lake City Podiatry?

  • Same-day and same-week appointments available.
  • Located in the St. Mark’s Medical Building in Salt Lake City.
  • Personalized recommendations based on your condition and foot structure.
  • Access to both custom and non-custom orthotic options.
  • Accepting Medicare and most commercial insurance plans.
Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Not always. Custom orthotics are better for some patients with chronic, complex, or recurring problems, while high-quality over-the-counter inserts can work well for mild to moderate symptoms.
Orthotics may help with heel pain, plantar fasciitis, flat feet, arch pain, Achilles tendinitis, forefoot pain, neuromas, overuse injuries, and diabetic pressure concerns.
Orthotics usually do not permanently change foot structure, but they can support the arch, improve alignment, reduce strain, and improve comfort while standing or walking.
The lifespan depends on materials, activity level, body weight, shoe use, and wear patterns. Many custom orthotics last several years, but they should be checked if symptoms return or the device becomes worn.
Yes. Orthotics may help reduce strain on the plantar fascia, support the arch, and reduce stress on the heel when used as part of a treatment plan.
Yes. Salt Lake City Podiatry offers evaluation for both custom and non-custom orthotic options. Call 801-269-9939 or request an appointment online.

Schedule an Orthotics Evaluation

If you are experiencing foot pain or think orthotics may help, Salt Lake City Podiatry can evaluate your condition and recommend the best support option for your needs.