Typical Conditions We Can Help With

Plantar Fasciitis

Do you have pain in your foot when you first get up in the morning or after sitting and resting for a while? It could be plantar fasciitis. This is probably the most common condition we treat. And custom orthotics are a common prescribed treatment.

Our Solution

Plantar fasciitis is caused by little micro-tears in the plantar fascia muscle on the bottom of the foot. When you rest in a chair or in bed, the body tries to heal those micro-tears, as it should. But when you stand up again, you tear them open again, causing the pain. Keeping the foot in the best position with custom inserts helps to heal it in its stretched out position. Custom inserts distribute your weight evenly throughout the foot to offload other areas that are taking too much pressure and reduce instabilities in the foot that can lead to more strain. We also generally recommend the use of a dorsal night splint. These help hold the foot in a stretched out position while resting so that the healing takes place in a longer position, which can, with time, cause less discomfort when you go to stand up again.

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Morton's Neuroma

A Morton’s neuroma can often make people feel that they have something broken in their forefoot, usually between the 3rd and 4th or the 4th and 5th toes. In reality, it is an aggravated nerve between two of those toes that is being pinched as you put weight on the forefoot.

Our Solution

Typically, the pain occurs because the ends of the metatarsal bones pinch the nerve, and this is caused, in general, because the metatarsal arch is collapsing. The metatarsal bones are supposed to be in an arch shape as they come down from the mid foot to the toes. When they flatten out, if there is an irritated nerve, they pinch the nerve with pretty much every step. A soft surface to step on can help somewhat, but it only makes the initial impact more tolerable, it does not help to correct the problem. Custom inserts allow us to lift your metatarsal arch back in place more aggressively along with any other corrections of the foot necessary. Having them custom made allows us to increase or decrease those corrections as you can tolerate it instead of being stuck with one height that may not do what it needs or might be too high for you to be comfortable.

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Flat Feet

If you have flat feet but don’t really have discomfort, give it time. Collapse of the arch in the foot can lead to pain throughout the foot as time goes by, and can even translate up to the ankle. As the arch collapses, the ankle starts to fall inward and as the ligaments stretch further, ankle pain increases. There are other diagnoses that also end up with flat feet as a byproduct, but the treatment solutions are essentially the same.

Our Solution

Having custom inserts made that reflect what correction your foot is capable of, rather than a standardized shape, can help put your bones and ligaments in proper alignment and alleviate discomfort. Many off the shelf inserts are either too soft and don’t offer the proper correction, or they are too stiff and offer little comfort. Having inserts custom made allows us to use industry standard materials that offer correction to hold up to your height, weight, and activity, while offering a good balance of comfort and cushioning.

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High Arches

High arches can be deceptive. Some people have high arches while seated, but upon standing, the arch falls inward. Because of that, you have to treat it more like flat feet. But for high arches that stay that way when you stand on them, this usually means that the foot has a tendency to roll outward. And trying to correct a foot that rolls out using the same methods you would for a flat foot can actually make things worse.

Our Solution

First, we don’t make assumptions on what your foot does while standing and walking. We go through an evaluation to get a full understanding of your needs. And if high arches and rolling out are indeed your issue, we make custom inserts that push in the correct areas along the outside edge of the foot. That doesn’t mean we eliminate contact in the arch completely, but it is not where corrective force should be applied. And if really needed, a wedge can be used on the outside edge of the insert to help pitch you back in. Usually, high arches can mean excess pressure on the ball of the foot too. We have ways to offload the bones there to help reduce discomfort and callusing.

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Our Process

1. Assessment and Consultation

Whether or not you have a prescription, our experienced orthotist will assess your feet, alignment, gait, and any other specific needs. We want a thorough picture of your needs before making decisions regarding your care. You can’t just put the same thing on every person. That’s poor care. We will then talk with you to determine the best solution- whether custom orthotics or just a simple add-on like wedges or carbon plates.

2. Precision Molding

For custom orthotic insoles, getting the most accurate mold of your feet is crucial. And simply stepping in some foam and having you put all your weight down as you do so doesn’t do anything to help your problems. We take great care to rotate and position your foot and leg in an optimal position for capturing the shape more as it should be. It helps us to better know the exact positions for adding more correction forces into the cast once it is poured. And, in more extreme cases, it may be necessary to mold a fiberglass casting of your foot for more aggressive correction.

3. In-House Fabrication

Unlike some other facilities that send their molds elsewhere to third-party manufacturers, we modify and fabricate your orthotics on-site. This allows for greater attention to detail, better communication and precision, as well as faster turnaround times. Often, we can have your orthotics ready to be fit to you in 1-2 business days. When you are in discomfort, why wait long for relief?

4. Fitting and Adjustments

Once your orthotics are ready, we fit them to your shoes and have you try them on in the office. We want you to walk around for a bit to make sure that everything feels right and that your needs are met with the devices. And if you feel good initially, but something comes up that changes that after you leave the office, don’t worry. We are here to help adjust and make corrections as needed to ensure optimal support and comfort. We don’t just hand you a product and never do anything to help get it right. We make sure it’s the best fit for your lifestyle.

5. Continued Support

Your correction and comfort are our priorities. If you need modifications or have concerns, even after the warranty period is over, don’t worry. We can fine-tune your orthotics even after that, there just may be a small charge for labor if applicable. We want you to have the best results and to help make your custom orthotics last as long as possible.

What our Customers are Saying

I highly recommend Step Techs.

I am very happy with the products and service at Step Techs. While there… Robert and I talked. He was very aware of my concerns. He crafted my foot inserts in a way that supports the weak areas of my feet. I can now walk with less pain. Soon I will be purchasing my third pair. I highly recommend Step Techs.

Steve H.

Expertise and care

I greatly appreciated the time and attention you dedicated to ensuring that the orthotic was a perfect fit and met my needs. What impressed me even more was the remarkable one-day turnaround on its production. Thanks to your efforts, I am already experiencing the benefits of the orthotic.

Bob H.

Life-Changing Comfort!

I’ve struggled with foot pain for years, and I was hesitant about getting custom orthotics because of the high costs at my doctor’s office. I’m so glad I found this place! Not only were the prices much more affordable, but the team was incredibly knowledgeable and had my orthotics ready in just a few days. I can finally walk pain-free again!

Sarah M.

Custom Orthotic Inserts for Better Feet

Typical Conditions We Can Help With

Your relief starts with a good foundation.

Typical Options

Our Process

What our Customers are Saying