FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

If you're not sure whether your current orthotics are actually correcting your foot position or just providing cushioning, here's how to tell the difference.

Corrective orthotics have measurable medial or lateral heel posting (3-5°), firm structural materials (cork/rigid plastic), and produce noticeable alignment changes when standing.

Assessment Checklist

1. Visual Inspection - Look for Heel Posting

Turn your orthotic sideways and look at the heel section. True corrective orthotics will have visible asymmetry:

• Medial posting (for flat feet): The inside edge of the heel is built up higher than the outside edge, creating a 3-5° wedge tilting your heel outward
• Lateral posting (for high arches): The outside edge of the heel is built up higher than the inside edge, creating a 3-5° wedge tilting your heel inward
• No posting: A flat, symmetric heel indicates an accommodative or comfort orthotic

How to check: Place the orthotic on a flat surface. If you can see daylight under one side of the heel and not the other, it has posting. Measure the height difference—should be 3-8mm for 3-5° posting.

2. Firmness Test - Check Material Density

Press firmly on the arch and heel sections with your thumb:

• Corrective orthotic: Maintains shape with firm pressure; may have slight give but springs back immediately. Cork amalgam or semi-rigid plastic should feel substantially firmer than your shoe insole
• Accommodative orthotic: Compresses easily with thumb pressure; leaves temporary indentation; feels soft and cushy

Standard: If you can compress the orthotic by more than 25% with moderate thumb pressure, it's likely accommodative, not corrective.

3. Standing Posture Test - Feel Alignment Changes

Stand on a hard floor in bare feet, then put on shoes with your orthotics:

• Corrective effect: You should feel your heel tilt slightly (medial posting tilts heel outward, lateral posting tilts heel inward). May feel unusual at first—this is normal
• Arch contact: Should feel firm support under your arch that maintains pressure during weight-bearing
• Stability change: Your ankle and knee should feel more stable/aligned

No corrective effect: If the orthotic feels purely like cushioning with no sense of changing your foot position, it's accommodative.

Material Identification

Corrective Materials:

• Cork amalgam: Tan/brown compressed cork appearance, firm but not rigid, slight texture
• Semi-rigid plastic: Usually white, beige, or carbon fiber black; very firm to rigid
• High-density EVA with posting: Firmer than standard foam, usually has visible color differences where posting is added

Accommodative Materials:

• Soft EVA foam: Squishy, compresses easily, uniform softness
• Gel cushioning alone: Provides comfort but no structural control
• Memory foam: Conforms to foot shape, no corrective geometry

Comparison Chart

Feature	Corrective Orthotic	Accommodative Orthotic
Heel posting	Visible 3-5° wedge	Flat, no wedging
Material firmness	Firm, maintains shape	Soft, compresses easily
Feel when standing	Changes foot position	Primarily cushions
Arch support	Firm, structural	Soft, cushioning
Primary goal	Realign biomechanics	Reduce pressure/pain
Best for	Structural deformities	General comfort, sensitive feet

Common Misconceptions

Myth: "If it has an arch, it's corrective"
Reality: Many cushioning insoles have arch shapes but use soft materials that compress under load, providing no structural correction.

Myth: "More cushioning = better orthotic"
Reality: Excessive cushioning can actually reduce corrective capability by allowing abnormal motion.

Myth: "Custom orthotics are always corrective"
Reality: Custom orthotics can be made accommodative (for diabetic feet, for example) or corrective depending on prescription.

Red Flags - Likely NOT Corrective

• ❌ Bought at pharmacy/big box store for $15-30
• ❌ Marketing emphasizes "cushioning" or "comfort" without mentioning "control" or "correction"
• ❌ No visible heel posting or wedging
• ❌ Made entirely of soft foam/gel
• ❌ Compresses flat under your body weight
• ❌ One-size-fits-all design

FootScientific's Corrective Features

The Arches Type 1, 2, and 3 orthotics demonstrate corrective design:

• Type 1: Visible 3° medial heel posting (can see built-up inside heel edge)
• Type 3: Visible 3° lateral heel posting (can see built-up outside heel edge)
• All types: Cork amalgam base maintains firm structure under load
• Material combination: Cork base for control, EVA top layer for comfort
• Structural arch support: Firm enough to maintain arch position during weight-bearing

When to Verify with Your Provider

If you're unsure whether your orthotics are corrective, ask your prescribing provider:

• "What degree of posting do these orthotics have?"
• "Are these designed for correction or accommodation?"
• "What biomechanical change should I expect to feel?"

A provider prescribing corrective orthotics should be able to answer these questions specifically.

Walking into an orthopedic appointment without the right questions means you might leave without the information you need to make good decisions.

Ask about your specific foot type, severity of deformity, whether prefabricated or custom is recommended, expected timeline for improvement, and activity modifications needed.

Essential Questions for Your Appointment

About Your Diagnosis & Foot Type:

1. "What is my specific foot type - pronation (flat foot), neutral, or supination (high arch)?"
   • Why this matters: Determines which orthotic type you need
   • Follow-up: "Can you show me on the examination or with an image?"
2. "How severe is my deformity or condition?"
   • Why this matters: Severity determines whether prefabricated or custom is needed
   • Follow-up: "Is this considered mild, moderate, or severe?"
3. "Is my deformity flexible or rigid?"
   • Why this matters: Flexible deformities respond better to prefabricated orthotics
   • Follow-up: "Can my arch/foot position be manually corrected?"

About Treatment Recommendations:

4. "Do I need custom orthotics, or would high-quality prefabricated orthotics work for me?"
   • Why this matters: Can save $300-500 if prefabricated is appropriate
   • Follow-up: "What specific features should I look for in prefabricated orthotics?"
5. "What degree of heel posting do I need?"
   • Why this matters: Helps you verify orthotic specs when purchasing
   • Typical answer: 3-5° medial posting for flat feet, 3° lateral posting for high arches
6. "Should my orthotics be corrective or accommodative?"
   • Why this matters: Ensures you're getting the right type for your condition
   • Follow-up: "What biomechanical change should I expect to feel?"

About Timeline & Expectations:

7. "How long before I should expect improvement?"
   • Typical answer: 2-4 weeks for initial improvement, 8-12 weeks for maximum benefit
   • Follow-up: "What should I do if I don't see improvement by that timeframe?"
8. "How many hours per day should I wear the orthotics initially?"
   • Typical answer: Start with 2-3 hours daily, gradually increase over 1-2 weeks
   • Why this matters: Prevents overuse soreness during break-in period
9. "Is some initial discomfort normal?"
   • Typical answer: Yes, mild muscle soreness as your body adjusts is normal
   • Follow-up: "What symptoms would indicate the orthotics are wrong for me?"

About Activity & Lifestyle:

10. "Do I need to modify my activities while my condition improves?"
    • Why this matters: Continued high-impact activity can delay healing
    • Follow-up: "When can I return to running/sports/high-impact activities?"
11. "What type of shoes work best with orthotics?"
    • Typical answer: Supportive shoes with removable insoles, good heel counter
    • Follow-up: "Can I use orthotics in dress shoes or will I need separate pairs?"
12. "Should I wear orthotics in all my shoes?"
    • Why this matters: Consistent use is critical for results
    • Typical answer: Yes, in all closed-toe shoes worn more than an hour

About Long-Term Management:

13. "How often do orthotics need to be replaced?"
    • Typical answer: Every 12-18 months for daily use
    • Why this matters: Budget planning and knowing when correction is lost
14. "Will I need to wear orthotics forever, or can my foot be 'retrained'?"
    • Honest answer: Most structural deformities require long-term orthotic use
    • Why this matters: Sets realistic expectations
15. "If conservative treatment with orthotics doesn't work, what are my other options?"
    • Why this matters: Understanding the treatment progression
    • Follow-up: "How long should I try orthotics before considering other treatments?"

Red Flags - Questions Your Provider Should Answer

If your provider can't or won't answer these questions, consider seeking a second opinion:

• ❌ Dismisses all prefabricated orthotics without evaluating your specific case
• ❌ Can't explain what degree of posting you need or why
• ❌ Doesn't assess your foot type or severity of deformity
• ❌ Provides only custom orthotics without discussing alternatives
• ❌ Can't explain expected timeline or what "success" looks like

Questions Specific to Conditions

If you have Plantar Fasciitis, also ask:

• "Is my plantar fasciitis related to my foot type (flat feet, high arches, or neutral)?"
• "Besides orthotics, what stretches or exercises should I do?"
• "Should I use night splints along with orthotics?"

If you have Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction (PTTD), also ask:

• "What stage is my PTTD (1, 2, 3, or 4)?"
• "Can prefabricated orthotics work for my stage, or do I need custom?"
• "How critical is early intervention to prevent progression?"

If you have knee osteoarthritis, also ask:

• "Will lateral wedge orthotics help my knee pain even though the problem is in my knee, not my foot?"
• "How do orthotics compare to other conservative treatments for knee OA?"

What to Bring to Your Appointment

Come prepared to get the most value:

• ✓ Your most-worn shoes (doctor can assess wear patterns)
• ✓ Current orthotics if you have them (doctor can evaluate if they're appropriate)
• ✓ List of activities you do regularly (running, standing at work, etc.)
• ✓ Timeline of when symptoms started and what makes them better/worse
• ✓ This list of questions written down

After Your Appointment

Make sure you leave with:

• ✓ Clear diagnosis of your foot type
• ✓ Specific orthotic recommendations (custom vs prefab, type needed, degree of posting)
• ✓ Written break-in protocol
• ✓ Timeline for follow-up if symptoms don't improve
• ✓ Activity modification guidelines

Dr. Faux's Perspective

"As a surgeon, I appreciate when patients come prepared with questions. It shows they're engaged in their treatment and want to understand their options. The best outcomes happen when patients are informed partners in their care, not passive recipients of prescriptions."

"Don't be afraid to ask follow-up questions if something isn't clear. Your provider should be able to explain their recommendations in terms you understand, and if they seem annoyed by questions, that's a red flag about the quality of care you'll receive."