What are custom orthotics?
Custom orthotics are not insoles. They are medical devices designed from a precise mold of your own foot, calibrated to the specific way you stand, walk, and load weight. Our podiatrists evaluate your feet, gait, and symptoms before recommending an intervention. Sometimes that means an over-the-counter insert, sometimes a custom functional or accommodative orthotic, and often a combination of orthotic therapy with footwear changes and physical therapy.
Why custom orthotics beat drugstore insoles
Both go in your shoe. That's where the similarity ends. Here's how a prescription device from Dr. Le compares to the inserts on the pharmacy shelf.
| Custom Orthotics | Store-Bought Insoles | |
|---|---|---|
| How they're made | Cast from a 3D mold of your foot and prescribed by a podiatrist | Mass-produced in a handful of generic sizes |
| What they correct | Your specific gait, alignment, and structural problems | Generic cushioning based on an average foot |
| What they treat | The root cause of pain: plantar fasciitis, flat feet, and more | Temporary symptom relief only |
| Durability | Medical-grade materials built to last 2 to 5 years | Soft foam that compresses and wears out in months |
| Fit & follow-up | Fitted and fine-tuned by Dr. Le, with adjustments included | No fitting and no adjustments |
| Insurance | Often covered when medically necessary, including Medicare | Paid fully out of pocket |
| Cost over time | Higher upfront, lower over the years | Cheap upfront, but repeated replacement adds up |
See how custom orthotics work
Animations licensed from ViewMedica · Swarm Interactive
When custom orthotics make the difference
Orthotics are not just for foot pain. Poor biomechanics at the foot affect the entire kinetic chain: knees, hips, and lower back.
From first visit to full relief
Getting custom orthotics at NES is a streamlined, four-step clinical process, designed around your schedule and your outcome.
Led by Dr. Denny Le, DPM
Dr. Le has a specialized passion for biomechanical correction and conservative-first care. He sees orthotics patients at Cedar Mill, Hoyt, and West Linn.
Three clinics across the Portland metro
Common questions about custom orthotics
Stop living around your pain.
Custom orthotics appointments with Dr. Denny Le book within the week at our Cedar Mill, Hoyt, and West Linn clinics. Most plans accepted, and we verify before your visit.