Cost Custom Orthotics

[Miranda]

OK, I'm afraid to even ask this, but...

How much do custom made orthotics by a podiatrist doc usually cost?
(I did some search on here, and say a lot of chat about them, but wasn't sure about the end result for those who got them)

From what I google... $400 to $800-ish... does this sound right?

I think carbon ones for cycle shoes being higher priced than a runners shoes??? I have some OTC cheaper options on order in the meantime to try during my 3wk appointment wait for the doc.

I think this pain in my foot/ankle is going to be a pain my wallet (ins covers the doc stuff, but not any orthotics *sigh*).

[Bluetree]

I'm afraid so. My insurance covered part of it (Aetna PPO) but they cost around $500 and I was out of pocket about 60% of that.

I got the carbon ones. In fact, they took my cycling shoes and had molds made of my feet, so that the insoles could be even more perfectly matched.

[alpinerabbit]

yup, paid the running orthotics myself, same price over here

[TahoeDirtGirl]

Depends on what's wrong with your foot and your podiatrist is what I found. A friend of mine went to a sports medicine clinic in Boston and had his made for $100 a couple of years ago. They haven't gone up in price because a couple of years ago, another friend of mine had hers made and they were $300. Carbon ones are obviously going to be pricey, but from what I understand, certain foot conditions aren't happy about carbon ones or overly stiff ones as you can develop plantar fasciitis from them. I would say make sure you find a doc that understands cycling but it's so hard. There is a place in Peabody, MA called Fit Werx- not sure where you are but you might want to check them out, I think they have an online store and they sound like they know what they are talking about. I'll be making the trip once someone figures out what's wrong with mine.

[Bluetree]

^^^^ Yup. My pode specifically made mine for cycling. (It took awhile but I finally found a cycling pode. Used to be with Team 7-11, but now he's the official World Cup foot doc.) There are different orthotics made for running, walking around town, etc, but I didn't want to pay the $$$ for them, as I didn't have issues with that.

[OakLeaf]

I had mine made by a PT with an AmFit machine. They were like $200. And they fit way better than the ones I had made by a pedorthotist who pressed my feet into a mold. The great thing about the AmFit machine is that it outlines your feet with little pins that come up and trace your foot in a non-weight bearing position.

[F8th637]

Mine cost $90 a pair which wasn't too bad. Or was it $180 a pair. Now I can't remember but nowhere near the $400-$800 you speak of. My insurance didn't cover it either.

Check out www.footsmart.com for some other alternatives perhaps.

ETA: I'm not sure you're looking for custom orthotics specifically for your cycling shoes. I just put my orthotics in my cycling shoes and now I don't have the knee issues I use to have when I didn't wear them.

[Miranda]

....It took awhile but I finally found a cycling pode....

Now, THAT, is a very good question. How to find one that knows the cycling foot, not just feet alone. A couple of my other docs (non-feet) are also cyclists. That is so nice.

Hmm, the office gal that me that they have helped people "like me" before, and that he was in practice for 30yrs. I wish she would have given me some specifics on how much cycling specific... but I would hope in that length of time in practice you about see it all.

A GF's DH went to him. He's a marathon guy. The doc recommened orthotics, but the DH never followed up. I would have liked to know specifically about that. I know I have read some things on here that folks weren't too happy with some of their experiences.

I have known people who have went to a surgical ortho group in town. I thought about that too. They have full PT etc.

I think with the GF's DH, he liked the doc and said he wasn't just all about the cutting for everyone. And, he didn't tell him he should give up his marathon dreams. He gave him some exercises to do at home, and other things, to help the problem, and train better.

A diff aquaint of the GF went to him first, and for her, she had the surgery. She was a heavy gal, and not active. I think for the DH, he said since he was active, he could try other routes first. I'm not sure how that works?

[Miranda]

Depends on what's wrong with your foot and your podiatrist is what I found. A friend of mine went to a sports medicine clinic in Boston and had his made for $100 a couple of years ago. They haven't gone up in price because a couple of years ago, another friend of mine had hers made and they were $300. Carbon ones are obviously going to be pricey, but from what I understand, certain foot conditions aren't happy about carbon ones or overly stiff ones as you can develop plantar fasciitis from them. I would say make sure you find a doc that understands cycling but it's so hard. There is a place in Peabody, MA called Fit Werx- not sure where you are but you might want to check them out, I think they have an online store and they sound like they know what they are talking about. I'll be making the trip once someone figures out what's wrong with mine.

Thx, that sounds like a good link. I hope they get you sorted out as well!

The scheduling gal told me that besides exam, history etc., he does a gait analysis, and would probably do an x-ray.

Well, my issues have been going on for a while, but got worse with using my feet more for cycling. I figured out NOW that 20yrs of unsupportive high heel shoes at work for my high arches, high impact aerobics in cheap shoes, or just ditching shoes any time possilbe due them not really doing much for me anyways... and when not active, carrying an extra 40-80#s extra on my feet was probably not such a great thing.

From that with my pain that I thought was "just-me", I'd say I have the ankle pain issues (plantar fashiatis?), the ankles hurt and turn in (lbs told me that had something to do with my over pronating watching me walk), the high arch collapsing unsupported, Morton's neuroma (numb tingly feet, cramping, callases on the balls), dropped met heads (my foot print test left these toes glued flat to the floor... and part of toes are "stuck" together... I can't make em stretch open like the rest, ... OH, and lbs said my knee issue was related to my foot they felt. Turning a cleat out helped that some. Gheez... is that enough junk? I think I should have went a looonng time ago.

[TahoeDirtGirl]

I have had problems with my feet forever. Ha...I hardly ever wore high heels, and I still have foot problems. I can only wonder if years of wearing Vans tho did something. Those things have no support.


I wish finding doctors that are geared towards cycling was easier. I picked a guy that knows alot about athletic injuries in hopes he knows something about what I have.

[Miranda]

Well, the thing I don't know is about the shoes and different activities...

I'm thinking I can't pay for a custom orthotic for each thing. My current shoes I know now don't fit so great. Too tight at the balls for one thing in my sport stuff. Well, I went from classic Uggs boots all winter (no socks, just loose barefoot fancy tall winter slippers, to Old Navy $2.50 flip flops... which I'd still be wearing now even with the chill had the puppy not chewed them. Had to upgrade to the Payless $4.99 pool palm tree flip flops. (theme: hind-sight 20/20 = zero support)

The things my feet need to do besides walking mobility, hiking w/the dog, are... 1) road shoes, 2) mtb shoes, 3) spin class shoes, 4) xc ski boots, 5) snow shoe boots (if I buy them now w/the neuroma *sigh* thinking about the over bindings on the forefoot), 6) quad roller rink skates boots, 7) indoor court shoes (raquetball), and 8) pool... oh YEA, yippie... I don't need shoes there... score for the wet ones.

There's gotta be a way to multi-task some of that ...I hope.

[Crankin]

I had custom orthotics made about 23 years ago. Back then they were $500.00! My insurance paid for all of it. Basically, I had plantar fascitis from teaching aerobics on concrete floors. The orthotics totally helped, along with a change to wood floors and better shoes.

[Tri Girl]

2 years ago I had to have custom orthotics made by a PT/orthopedic person specifically for running b/c of my plantar fasciitis and severe overpronation.
They cost $300 and insurance didn't cover a dime (and we have REALLY good Federal Blue Cross insurance). I could get a slimmer cut one made for dress shoes for about the same price. I decided to stop wearing dress shoes and wear running shoes to work (yes, even with skirts- my feet are much more important- and luckily my boss looks the other way, or I wear work appropriate shoes only when I HAVE to).

They're worth it, but it sure bites to have to pay that much.

[KnottedYet]

I run the injured cyclist program at my clinic, and I do temporary orthotics for no extra charge. (they are included in your insurance payment for the PT session). A good PT should be able to post a pair of insoles for you, AND give you exercises to help correct the problem, AND show you how to trim down the posting until you are strong enough that you only need the neutral footbed.

A good PT should also be very aware of the needs of a cyclist's forefoot, and absolutely should put you on your bike in the clinic and assess your body function ON YOUR OWN BIKE.

ETA: of course, if you have a true deformity the PT will recognize that and send you on to a licensed Orthotist, which likely will be covered by your insurance.

[Miranda]

I run the injured cyclist program at my clinic, and I do temporary orthotics for no extra charge. (they are included in your insurance payment for the PT session). A good PT should be able to post a pair of insoles for you, AND give you exercises to help correct the problem, AND show you how to trim down the posting until you are strong enough that you only need the neutral footbed.

A good PT should also be very aware of the needs of a cyclist's forefoot, and absolutely should put you on your bike in the clinic and assess your body function ON YOUR OWN BIKE.

ETA: of course, if you have a true deformity the PT will recognize that and send you on to a licensed Orthotist, which likely will be covered by your insurance.

Thx for the what they "should do" list. I've had bad PT experiences at a clinic, and excellent experiences. Unfortunately it sux when your "good PT person" leaves a clinic to elsewhere. I was thinking later after I posted this that if I don't like, or question, the plan of action I get from doc #1, I can get another op prior to paying privately for the orthotics.