02/09/2026
Hereâs what the experts say.
For decades, orthotics were often prescribed with one goal in mind: make the foot straighter.
But human feet are variable, and âperfect alignmentâ is not necessarily the target.
The more useful question is:
What tissue is irritated, and what load are we trying to change?
Hereâs what the experts say.
For decades, orthotics were often prescribed with one goal in mind: make the foot straighter.
But human feet are variable, and âperfect alignmentâ is not necessarily the target.
Calling orthotics âarch supportsâ can oversimplify what they are actually doing.
In many cases, the goal is not to hold the arch in a particular position. It is to change how force is distributed through the foot and ankle.
That might mean reducing tensile load on a tendon, changing pressure through a painful area, or simply making activity more tolerable while the tissue recovers.
Think less about shape, and more about load.
Does every patient need to stay in orthotics forever? Definitely not.
For some people, they may only be useful during a period of recovery while symptoms settle and capacity is rebuilt.
For others, ongoing support may allow them to work, walk, train, or simply stay more active with less pain.
The answer is not always âget them out of the orthoticâ.
It is about what gives the person in front of you the best function and quality of life.
Before choosing an orthotic, start with the clinical reasoning.
What tissue are you trying to unload?
What type of force is contributing to the problem?
And can the device you are considering meaningfully change that force?
That is where prescription becomes much more specific.
The orthotic itself is only one part of the treatment plan. Education, load management, footwear, rehab, and the patientâs goals still matter.
The device should fit the problem, not the other way around.
