Feet can change in structure and function and therefore the orthotic prescription may need to be reviewed and sometime feet need to be re-casted if the foot profile has changed. At the gait lab we feel it is better to order the correct orthotic for the current foot position and function if patients are going to spend money on a new device. We often don’t change prescriptions or recast patients if they are happy with their current prescription before 4 years however we may refurbish the orthotics or the orthotics may be worn out which is why an appointment in the interim may be useful.

We feel the labs in North America have more superior technology and production facilities than the UK as the demand for number of orthotics dispensed over there is higher. Only small labs exist in the UK which cannot offer a quality product and fast turnaround times that can compete with North America and can’t compete with quality control and customer service either. If you are interested to see the process of orthotic manufacture then click on the link for a short video from the lab showing the various stages of production https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDhy1kojWak

A podiatric biomechanical assessment is a detailed evaluation of how your feet, ankles, and lower limbs function during standing, walking, and movement. The assessment examines foot posture, joint mobility, muscle strength, gait patterns, and overall lower limb alignment to identify any mechanical issues that may be contributing to pain, injury, or reduced performance. By understanding how your body moves, we can diagnose underlying causes of foot, ankle, knee, hip, or lower back discomfort and develop a personalised treatment plan, which may include exercises, footwear advice, orthotic therapy, or other interventions to improve function and prevent future problems.

Video gait analysis is an assessment that uses slow-motion video technology to evaluate the way you walk or run. By analysing movement patterns in detail, a podiatrist can identify abnormalities in foot function, posture, and lower limb mechanics that may contribute to pain, injury, or reduced performance. This information helps guide accurate diagnosis and personalised treatment recommendations, including footwear advice, exercises, and orthotic therapy where appropriate.

There are different types of orthotics for different types of shoes however many patients just have one pair of orthotics which will go across different types of footwear. Full length orthotics, which replace existing insoles in shoes can go into trainers, hiking boots, some boots, some fashion trainers and some slippers. We can make orthotics for dress shoes which can be used in almost all footwear (not heels or court shoes) however we would not recommend patients do sport in these.

In most cases, orthotics can be adjusted rather than completely remade. It is common to require minor modifications after a period of wear, as your body adapts to the devices or in some cases the foot does not tolerate the prescription.  We can make adjustments to improve comfort and effectiveness. In the rare event that significant changes are required, a remake may be considered, but this is usually not necessary. Occasionally, orthotics may need minor adjustments to improve their fit within certain shoes, ensuring both comfort and optimal function without compromising the effectiveness of the device. All adjustment and remakes are under warrantee with the lab for 6 months.

They tend to last 3-6 years depending on materials, wear, activity of the patient and footwear. However we can recover and refurbish them at any point. Please speak to us about this if you have any questions.

Looking after your orthotics will help keep them comfortable, hygienic, and functioning effectively for as long as possible. To clean them, simply wipe the surfaces with wet sponge and mild soap (antibacterial hand wash), rinse them under the tap briefly and then allow them to air dry naturally.  Avoid soaking them in water, using harsh cleaning products, or placing them near direct heat sources such as radiators, tumble dryers, or direct sunlight, as this can damage the materials. Regularly check your orthotics for signs of wear and bring them to your review appointments so they can be assessed and adjusted if necessary.

A temporary orthotic is a prefabricated or semi-custom device designed to provide short-term support, improve foot function, and help relieve pain while a more permanent treatment plan is being developed. Temporary orthotics can be modified to suit your individual needs and are often used during the assessment process, while awaiting custom-made orthotics, or when a short-term intervention is appropriate. They can be an effective and cost-efficient way to improve comfort and support during recovery from injury or the management of certain foot and lower limb conditions. We make up the temporary orthotics ourselves but this is done offsite in our own lab facility.

This is where we send an orthotic to the lab and they strip off all the additional components to the shell and replace them – this include topcovers, bottom covers, rearfoot posts and metatarsal pads etc. There is a charge for refurbishments of orthotics but it can be worth investing in as it helps extend the life of the orthotics!

No, any follow up appointments, advice, orthotic adjustments or remakes are free of charge for 6 months from the time of casting. This allows us to get the prescription comfortable for you.

If they are full length orthotics, have you tried taking out the existing insole in the shoe and replace it with the orthotic? If not, the orthotics may need trimming or we may need to adjust the orthotics. If they just need trimming then please click on this link which will take you to instructions on how to trim the orthotics. If they are too wide or you have other fit issues, please contact us on reception@thegaitlab.co.uk https://youtu.be/EXSzL24AW64

You can trim them, please click on this link which will take you to instructions on how to trim the orthotics. https://youtu.be/EXSzL24AW64

This depends on how much support the individual foot needs. Sometimes we like to provide support to the foot both from the orthotic and the footwear to provide a stable base for the foot which is when we would recommend an orthotic with a stability shoe. In some cases we recommend a neutral shoe with the orthotic we provide as the orthotics have either been prescribed for different properties other than support, like cushioning or lifting of metatarsal heads, treating a neuroma or offloading a certain area of the foot. Or sometimes, they just more support in a different place in the foot and so a neutral shoe is a better platform to place the orthotic onto.

Orthotics are like wearing glasses they only change foot position and function when you are wearing them. However there can be a degree of muscle memory where the foot will remember the position the orthotic has

Orthotics tend to last 2 shoe sizes of foot growth so if you feel your child's feet have grown then we would encourage a review appointment. It is important to note that just because orthotics have been prescribed originally, then it does not mean that orthotics need to worn for the rest of their development or life. At the review appointment the need for re-prescribing or continuing orthotics is considered and discussed.

Custom made orthotics are specifically designed for each patient following our assessment and gait analysis and are made to an individual prescription which does differ from a standard over the counter insole.  The custom orthotics are made through a production line at a world class lab in Vancouver with highly skilled technicians and state of the art technology. Whilst advanced technology is used in the manufacture process, each orthotic is hand made. We also have to import the orthotics into the UK through HMRC paying duty and shipping charges which increases the cost. We use a lab in Canada as we have worked with them for 25 years and they provide a top class service which we can’t get in the UK. Please view this video to look at the manufacture process https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDhy1kojWak

Yes. At The Gait Lab, we can help manage the symptoms associated with bunions, including reducing pressure and offloading painful joints through appropriate footwear advice, orthotics, splints and other conservative treatments. While these approaches can help relieve pain and improve comfort, they cannot reverse the bunion deformity or correct the underlying bony changes. If your bunion is causing persistent pain or affecting your daily activities, we can discuss whether surgical management or injection therapy may be appropriate and, where necessary, recommend specialist surgeons for further assessment.