Custom orthotics come up often when foot pain lingers, and it is fair to ask whether they are meant for you. The clearest answer is to look at the problems clinicians say they are used for.
APMA states that podiatrists use orthotics to treat foot problems such as plantar fasciitis, bursitis, tendinitis, diabetic foot ulcers, and foot, ankle, and heel pain. Foot Health Facts (ACFAS) adds that orthotics can be helpful for bursitis, calluses beneath bony prominences and ulcers.
Does your problem match?
Matching your symptoms against a published list costs nothing and needs no skill. The APMA explains prescription custom orthotics and shoe inserts, and AAOS OrthoInfo covers orthotics. If your problem is not named in either, that is a reason to ask rather than a reason to buy.
Deciding the next step
A prescription device is a bigger commitment than a pair of shoes. Before spending money, ask a foot and ankle professional whether it suits your foot. Readers in Wood Dale can take along a note of which activities hurt most so the visit begins with specifics.
For a first-timer
You do not need to understand biomechanics to ask a good question. "Could this help my foot?" is enough.