Heat Moldable Foot Orthotic

 A heat-moldable foot orthotic, also known as a heat-molded foot arch support or custom heat-moldable orthotic, is a type of foot arch support device that can be molded and customized to fit an individual's foot shape and arch profile. It is typically made from a heat-sensitive material, which softens and becomes pliable when heated. This allows you to fabricate a custom foot orthotic without an expensive orthotic lab.

The process of heat molding involves placing the foot orthotic in heat to raise its temperature. Once the material reaches the appropriate temperature, it becomes flexible and can be easily shaped. The person seeking the orthotic then stands or walks on the heated insole while it molds to their foot contours. This allows for a personalized fit and provides optimal support and alignment. To heat Atlas Biomechanics heat moldable orthotics, just use either a heat gun or boiling water.

The benefits of heat-moldable foot orthotics include:

1. Customized fit: Heat molding enables the orthotic to conform to the specific shape of the individual's foot, accommodating variations in arch height, foot length, and width.

2. Improved comfort: The custom fit ensures better distribution of pressure and support, reducing discomfort and relieving pain associated with conditions like plantar fasciitis, flat feet, or high arches.

3. Enhanced support and stability: By conforming closely to the foot contours, heat-molded orthotics provide better support to the arches, align the foot and ankle joints, and promote proper biomechanics during walking or running.

4. Versatility: Heat-moldable foot orthotics can be used in a variety of footwear, including athletic shoes, casual shoes, and even some dress shoes, allowing individuals to benefit from customized support regardless of the occasion.

5. Cost: A heat moldable custom foot support is significantly less expensive than using an orthotic laboratory.

When you think it’s time to start using orthotics, finding the right fit is of most importance. You may think that getting fitted for custom foot orthotics is a complicated process requiring time, money and expensive equipment. However, getting the support your feet need is actually easier than you think! When you order thermoplastic orthotic insoles, achieving a glove-like fit is easy and can be done in as little as 10 minutes. Best of all, Atlas Biomechanics crafts orthotic inserts for each type of wear. Our heat molded insoles are available for dress shoes and athletic footwear

Teri Green

Atlas Biomechanics

Heel Spurs May or May Not Cause Pain

 

Heel spurs are small, bony growths on the bottom of the heel. A  boney heel spur may grow when the plantar fascia ligament that connects the heel bone to the ball of the foot becomes inflamed and tight. The constant tension on the heel bone from the plantar fascia causes more bone to grow into a spur. The inflammation from a heel spur might cause pain. If it does hurt, there will be pain or tenderness over the weight-bearing part of the bottom of the heel.  A spur will not be treated unless other conditions caused by inflammation causing the pain are non-existent. If the plantar fasciitis is the main source of pain, and that condition can be treated, the bone spur is left alone. Usually plantar fasciitis is a separate condition from a heel spur.

Heels Spurs

Heel spurs are formed by calcium deposits on the foot where the heel is. Heel spurs can also be bone growth on the back of the foot and may grow in the direction of the arch of the foot. Older individuals usually suffer from heel spurs and pain sometimes intensifies with age. One of the main condition's spurs are related to is plantar fasciitis.

Pain

The pain associated with spurs is often because of weight placed on the bottom of the heel. When someone is walking, their entire weight is concentrated on the feet. Bone spurs then have the tendency to affect other bones and tissues around the foot. As the pain continues, the feet will become tender and sensitive over time. Plantar fasciitis is usually the most painful at the first weight bearing and decreases with use. 

Treatments

There are many ways to treat heel spurs. If one is suffering from heel spurs in conjunction with pain, there are several methods for healing. Some common conservative treatments are heel cushions, arch supports (orthotics), steriod injection, heel cup, physical therapy and anti-inflammatory medication.

Teri Green

Atlas Biomechanics

Custom Orthotic, Fabricated Directly from the Patient's Foot

A DME L3030 orthotic is a custom orthotic fabricated directly from the patient's foot. It allows you to duplicate a lab quality built custom orthotic in less than 10 minutes for the fraction of the cost.

The thermoplastic orthotic blank that is heated with a toaster oven, boiling water or a heat gun.

The orthotic arch support device blank is placed on a pillow or under the patient's shoe insole. Then the patient will press down with the practitioner controlling the subtalar joint (usually in neutral). This direct contact fabrication of an orthotic allows the practitioner to control the production process from start to finish without costly orthotic lab fees or messy plaster casts. Patients appreciate no having to wait weeks for the device. Usually, costs to the practitioner are much less than those charged by orthotic labs.

Atlas Biomechanics' thermoplastic heat moldable custom orthotic blanks allow you to produce a lab quality orthotic in office in about 10 minutes for a fraction of the price. Atlas Biomechanics offers dress and athletic orthotic blanks and prefab orthotic. Uses include arch support for plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, flat feet, overpronation, knee, and lower back pain.



Orthotics
1) Narrow Profile (dress) Heat Mold, Direct Contact Orthotic
2) Medium Profile (athletic) Heat Mold, Direct Contact Orthotic


Please view our Orthotic Fabrication Guide to learn how easy it is to make a custom orthotic.

Our orthotics ( arch supports ) will control subtalar joint pronation that causes valgus heel, collapsed arch, and plantar fasciitis.

Heat Moldable, Direct Contact, Custom Orthotics:

* fraction the cost of orthotic labs.
* 3/4 semi-rigid shell, long lasting, total contact fit custom orthotic.
* 1.3 mm thin proprietary material for ease of molding.
* two orthotic models, Athletic (medium profile) and Dress (narrow profile).



Teri Green
Atlas Biomechanics