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3 Important Things to Look For in a Custom Orthotics Lab

There are many custom orthotics labs that know how to make a pair of orthotics. When it comes to custom orthotics, the device needs to be functional and not just look good. Beyond providing comfort, orthotics need to provide the results that people are looking for which is the alleviation of problems.


With all the custom orthotics labs to choose from, how are you supposed to find the one that works best with your practice? Here are three things you should look for when considering whether or not to work with the lab:


Level of Experience

Experience is especially important in this industry because there is a lot of biomechanical theory involved in making orthotics. There may be multiple different ways to approach the same problem. It takes experience to figure out the unique needs of the patient in order to find the proper modification or approach that fits that specific person.

There are many steps in the process of manufacturing orthotics. Ideally, your custom orthotics lab should have an staff of experienced lab technicians and certified pedorthists among its team.

Pedorthists focus on the biomechanics of the feet and lower limbs, providing comprehensive foot assessments custom foot orthotics and recommending or modifying footwear. - SoleScience

Pedorthists follow evidence-based medicine in order to produce orthotics to give patients a good clinical outcome. A custom orthotics lab can only create great devices if its team members know how to combine medical experience with an understanding of how to make useful and functioning orthotics.


For these reasons, this is why experience should be valued above any other attribute when considering a custom orthotics lab.


Great Customer Service

One of the biggest challenges when it comes to creating custom medical devices is what works with one patient will not always be guaranteed to work with another. Certain things that worked previously may require a different approach when it comes to filling the needs of the patient.


In a perfect world, custom orthotics will fit on the first try and resolve all of the patients’ pain points. However, even with an abundance of experience and medical knowledge, there are bound to be unsatisfied patients where the orthotic does not provide the expected result or comfort that they need.With custom orthotics, people have different preferences and minor adjustments or accommodations may need to be made after the orthotic is manufactured.


This is why good customer service after the orthotic has been created is important. A great custom orthotics lab is able to resolve issues that may come up not only during the manufacturing of the orthotic but after the device is delivered to the end-user.


Board-certified podiatrist and foot surgeon Dr. Bruce Pinker, shares his customer service experience with the custom orthotics lab that he uses:


Good communication between the doctor and lab is the foundation of excellent customer service. If patients are still running into problems after receiving their orthotics, the custom orthotics lab should be able to work hand-in-hand with doctors to understand the situation and know how to resolve it. This will ensure that the end patient gets the best result and is completely satisfied.

High-Quality Orthotics

The final attribute of a good custom orthotics lab is its ability to produce a high-quality product! This includes all parts of the orthotic such as the materials, craftsmanship, accommodations, and available styles.

Orthotics are subject to a lot of external forces that might cause wear and tear. The combination of materials that goes into their construction needs to be durable and strong while still providing comfort when considering how frequently orthotics are used. A high-quality device requires high-quality materials in order to provide long-lasting support.


Whereas some orthotic labs might cut costs by using a library system to deliver a set range of devices, a great custom orthotics lab will craft orthotics built directly to the cast of the patient’s foot. This ensures that no corners are cut and the patient gets a truly custom orthotic built to fit them.

A good custom orthotics lab needs to be able to create a wide range of devices. The orthotics should not only satisfy the doctor’s prescription, but also fit the patient’s lifestyle.

Besides casting, being able to treat your patient correctly will often require the proper accommodation. This can be further complicated when considering that each patient is different and may require special care or situational adjustments for other factors (i.e.- limb length discrepancy, weight, exercise habits, foot width, shoe type, etc.).


Forward Motion Medical is a fully custom orthotic lab that does not cut corners in creating the perfect device. With more than 40 years of experience in building custom orthotics, there is nothing our team doesn't know how to handle.


Customer service is one of our biggest strengths and we have a team of in-house specialists and CPeds on hand to address any issues you may run into. We take pride in our craftsmanship and use only the highest-quality materials in our products.


Contact one of our account representatives for more information about what our custom orthotics lab can do for you!


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