Written by: Cherri Choate, DPM
7/22/2009

One of the most important goals at a foot orthotic laboratory is the desire to produce precise modifications to a foot orthotic prescription.  Unfortunately,  as podiatric practitioners we tend to supply the lab qualitative data, instead of precise quantitative data. In the production of custom and pre-fabricated foot orthotics and braces, quantitative values are vital pieces of information. 

For example, when ordering sweet spots for plantar fibromas, it would be beneficial to send accurate measurements of each lesion (mm or in.), as well as drawings of each lesion on the negative cast.  The measurements also provide another 3-D image as they give a visual of the true depth, width and length of the problem lesion on the foot.    Even something as simple as an accurate value for the width of a metatarsal head aperture, would likely result in fewer adjustments.   Another example would be if a foot orthotic  needs to be adjusted becasue the arch is too high.  Does the arch need to be lower by 1/8" (3mm) or 1/4" (6mm).  It only takes a  moment to provide a more accurate quantitative value.

Most of us are hard pressed to find any custom made products in our every day world.  But custom made orthotics are exactly that.  A simple change of habit, will certainly result in better outcomes. 

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