Orthotics usually last between 6 months to 1 year and sometimes as long as 5 years.
The factors that can influence the lifespan of orthotics will include the material the orthotics are made up, your activity level, how well the orthotics are maintained and your body weight.
Orthotics are highly effective for reducing foot, ankle and even knee pain as well as enhancing your foot function and also preventing injuries by also providing proper foot support and alignment.
Orthotics are very beneficial for conditions like heel pain, certain tendon disorders and plantar fasciitis.
Custom orthotics are more successful than over the counter orthotics but both custom and over the counter orthotics are very effective.
Orthotics do require a prescription if the orthotics are custom and designed to address a specific foot and or ankle issue.
Although other orthotics are available without a prescription over the counter and are readily available in some stores.
Over the counter orthotics are pre made inserts which can be purchased in stores or pharmacies or even some sporting goods stores and are designed for general foot support and may help with minor foot pain or discomfort.
Custom orthotics are designed to address specific foot and ankle problems, like plantar fasciitis, flat feet and other biomechanical issues.
A podiatrist or other doctor will asses your condition and create a custom mold of your feet, through either a plaster coast, foam box impression or 3D scan and based on the mold of your foot they will then prescribe a custom orthotic which has specific features for addressing your specific needs.
Orthotics are usually in the price range of between $300.00 to $800.00 depending on the type of orthotics you need and where you buy them from.
You can buy basic off the shelf inserts for $10.00 to $20.00 but other orthotics are more costly and some insurance plans may pay for custom orthotics and others won't so you would have to check with your health insurance.
For example a pair of orthotics at the Good Feet store costs between $399.00 to $599.00 per pair.
The Good Feet stores orthotics are clinically tested and offer long term support for addressing knee pain, foot pain, back pain and hip discomfort.
The three types of orthotics are Soft orthotics, Semi-Rigid orthotics and Rigid Orthotics.
The soft orthotics provide you with cushioning, the semi-rigid orthotics balance the cushioning with stability and the rigid orthotics focus on providing stability and controlling your movement.
The best type of orthotic will depend on your individual and specific foot condition and needs.
Soft Orthotics are made from soft and pliable materials and provide extra support and cushioning to reduce pressure and also absorb shock.
Soft Orthotics are best for conditions such as general foot pain, planta fasciitis, diabetic foot ulcers and any condition where cushioning is a priority.
Semi-Rigid Orthotics are made from a combination of soft and rigid materials and they offer a balance of cushioning for comfort and stability to control foot motion and are best for people that have flat feet and for people that need support and shock absorption for activities.
Rigid Orthotics are made from hard and durable materials like carbon fiber or plastic and provide you with significant stability and also control your foot and ankle movement and are best for managing complex foot and leg issues, like controlling the motion of your foot in specific sports or for correcting alignment problems which cause pain.
To find out what orthotics you need, you will need to first assess your arch type using a wet footprint test and also speak with a doctor for a proper diagnoses to help you fully determine what orthotics you need such as custom orthotics for complex issues or severe conditions.
You can also buy over the counter orthotics without a prescription, for general foot pain, although custom orthotics can provide you with tailored support for conditions such as high arches, flat feet, plantar fasciitis or other foot issues.