Foot Orthotics Gatineau

Many people come to the clinic after trying over-the-counter insoles that made no difference. This is common and often misunderstood: a comfort insole and a custom orthotic do not perform the same function. The first provides cushioning. The second compensates, redistributes, and rebalances based on a personalized diagnosis of your own feet, following their specific morphology and function. A custom foot orthotic is designed after an examination, using your own feet as a model, to address a specific problem.

At Médecine podiatrique du Plateau at AGORA in Gatineau, your orthotics are prescribed by a podiatrist after a complete evaluation, then adjusted in our on-site laboratory.

What is the real purpose of a foot orthotic?

A foot orthotic does three things. It redistributes pressure under the foot to offload painful areas. It corrects a gait that puts strain in the wrong place. And it relieves a joint subjected to excessive stress when you walk.

Not all foot problems can be solved with an orthotic, and not at every stage. This is why a thorough assessment comes before manufacturing. We first look at what is happening, then decide if an orthotic is the right solution.

Pains that an orthotic can relieve

Custom-made orthotics are often part of the treatment plan for several common conditions. Depending on your situation, they can help relieve:

• heel pain and plantar fasciitis
• metatarsalgia, or pain in the forefoot
• hallux valgus, or bunions
• flat feet, including adult-acquired flatfoot
• high arches
• pain caused by osteoarthritis
• Morton’s neuroma
• and many others

An orthotic does not always do the job alone. It is often added to other modalities chosen after assessment: stretching, specialized footwear, therapeutic taping, injections, shockwave therapy, or therapeutic laser, depending on the case.

Custom orthotics vs. drugstore insoles: the difference

Over-the-counter insoles are made for an average foot. They may provide temporary comfort, but they do not target anything specific because they are not based on an examination. A custom orthotic, however, starts with your impressions, your gait, and a podiatric diagnosis. It is the difference between cushioning and treating the cause.

Who evaluates and prescribes your orthotic?

The podiatrist evaluates, diagnoses, and prescribes. This is what distinguishes a podiatric orthotic from a device purchased without an examination by a professional authorized to establish a podiatric diagnosis and treatment plan. If you want to understand the distinction between the different professions, we explain it in detail in our article on the differences between a podiatrist and an orthotist.

At the clinic, Dr. Émile Carrier, Dr. Sandra Gendron, and Dr. Stephen Davis, podiatrists, handle the evaluation, prescription, and follow-up of your orthotics. The advantage of doing everything in one place: your treating podiatrist can adjust the plan based on your response to treatment without sending you elsewhere.

The clinical process, step by step

Everything starts with a proper evaluation, which always comes before the orthotic.

1. Complete assessment We examine your feet, your gait, your needs, and your goals. This includes a biomechanical evaluation while sitting and standing, with range-of-motion tests, muscle strength testing, and an examination of posture and the alignment of the ankles, knees, hips, and pelvis.
2. Computer-assisted gait analysis. A pressure mat and cameras measure the pressure under each foot during a stride, then while standing still. If necessary, an X-ray or ultrasound can pinpoint the problem.
3. 2D and 3D impressions. We capture the exact shape of your feet with a digital scanner.
4. Prescription and manufacturing. The podiatrist determines the appropriate orthotic for your situation. Your orthotics are generally ready in about 4 weeks.
5. Fitting and adjustment. During the dispense visit, we check for comfort and make adjustments as needed in our on-site modification and adjustment laboratory.

Sometimes, there is more than just one problem. That is why we take the time to understand how it appeared before manufacturing anything.

Our assessment technologies

The evaluation relies on tools that allow us to measure rather than guess:

• 2D Podography to visualize plantar pressure zones.
• 3D Scanner for particularly precise impressions.
• Computerized analysis of plantar pressure, static posture, and gait using a pressure mat and front and side cameras.
• Computer-assisted design and 3D-printed manufacturing of orthotics, right here in Québec.
• On-site modification and adjustment laboratory to adapt the orthotic after the fitting.

You leave with a complete biomechanical analysis report of your gait.

How long does a foot orthotic last?

A custom orthotic does not last forever. Its lifespan depends on wear, your activity level, and changes in your foot. We explain when to consider a replacement in our article on the lifespan of foot orthotics.

Insurance and reimbursement

Under your private group insurance plan, you may have coverage for custom-made foot orthotics prescribed by our podiatrists. We provide the documents required to submit a claim. Please note that the Régie de l’assurance-maladie du Québec (RAMQ) and the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) do not cover these services.