What Are Custom Orthotics?
Custom orthotics are individually designed shoe inserts created to support the unique structure and movement patterns of your feet. Unlike over-the-counter insoles, which are made to fit a general foot shape, custom orthotics are created following a comprehensive assessment of how you stand, walk, and move. They may be recommended for a range of concerns, including foot and heel pain, plantar fasciitis, flat feet, ankle instability, knee or hip concerns, and gait changes related to sport, injury, or everyday activity.
Custom orthotics can benefit people at many stages of life, from young athletes experiencing growing pains or overuse injuries, to adults managing persistent foot or lower-limb discomfort, to older adults looking for greater stability and support. We work with patients from Ancaster, Hamilton, and the surrounding area who are looking for orthotics built around how they actually move, not just a generic mold.
At Performance Care Centre, custom orthotics are part of a broader approach to lower-limb health. When appropriate, they can work alongside chiropractic care, physiotherapy, gait retraining, and exercise rehabilitation to address not only where you are experiencing discomfort, but what may be contributing to it.
How We Approach Custom Orthotics at Performance Care Centre
Custom orthotics at Performance Care Centre are provided by Michelle Laviolette, who holds a Diploma in Pedorthotics from Western University with honours distinction and a Bachelor of Human Kinetics from the University of British Columbia. Michelle's interest in lower-limb therapy began through her work with the UBC Athletic Medical team, where she served as lead student trainer for the UBC Women's Volleyball program and focused on helping athletes recover from injury and return safely to sport.
Today, Michelle takes a multidisciplinary, education-first approach to lower-limb biomechanics. She works with pediatric, youth, adult, senior, and diabetic populations, looking beyond the foot to understand how the entire lower limb functions together.
A key part of that assessment is footwear. The right shoe can vary significantly depending on the individual, their foot mechanics, activity level, and the demands of their sport. Running, court sports, field sports, and everyday activity all place different demands on the foot and lower limb. Michelle assesses current footwear and can provide recommendations based on fit, support, movement patterns, training demands, and sport-specific needs.
Michelle also has extensive knowledge of medical bracing and compression, helping patients determine when additional support may be beneficial for injury, joint instability, osteoarthritis, sport, recovery, or everyday activity. Rather than looking at orthotics in isolation, Michelle considers the full picture: foot mechanics, gait, footwear, sport or activity demands, medical bracing, and movement, to determine the most appropriate approach for each patient.
Designed On Site at PCC
One of the things that sets our approach apart is that Michelle designs and creates custom orthotics on site at Performance Care Centre, rather than simply taking measurements and sending them to an external lab.
This allows for greater continuity throughout the process, from your initial assessment and custom design to fitting, follow-up, and adjustments.
Patients travel to our Ancaster clinic from across Hamilton and the surrounding area for this kind of hands-on, on-site care.
What to Expect From a Custom
Orthotics Assessment
1
Comprehensive Assessment
Your appointment begins with a detailed look at your feet, gait, and lower-limb movement to identify factors contributing to pain, instability, or changes in the way you move.
2
Footwear and Sport-specific Assessment
Michelle considers what you wear for work, everyday activity, training, and sport, and how it interacts with your biomechanics. For athletes, recommendations can be tailored to the demands of their sport or position.
3
Custom Orthotic Design and Fitting
If custom orthotics are appropriate for you, measurements are taken and your orthotics are individually designed around your needs, footwear, and activities.
4
Medical Bracing and Additional Support
When appropriate, Michelle can also recommend medical bracing, compression, footwear modifications, or other forms of support as part of a more comprehensive approach.
5
Follow-Up and Adjustment
Your fit and comfort are reviewed, with adjustments made as needed, and your orthotics can be integrated with gait retraining or other treatment you are receiving at Performance Care Centre.
How Custom Orthotics May Help
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Reduce foot, heel, ankle, knee, or hip discomfort related to lower-limb mechanics
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Improve support and stability
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Address gait and movement patterns associated with flat feet or overuse injuries
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Support athletes during training, competition, and return to sport
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Improve comfort during walking, work, and everyday activity
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Complement rehabilitation and gait retraining
The goal is not simply to provide an insert for your shoe. It is to create a solution designed around your feet, your movement, and your goals.
Frequently Asked Questions About Custom Orthotics
How are custom orthotics different from store-bought insoles?
Over-the-counter insoles are designed to provide general cushioning or support. Custom orthotics are created specifically for you following an assessment of your foot structure, gait, movement patterns, footwea
Who can benefit from custom orthotics?
Custom orthotics may be appropriate for people at many stages of life, from children and young athletes to adults and seniors. Not everyone with foot or lower-limb discomfort needs an orthotic; your assessment helps determine whether orthotics, footwear changes, rehabilitation, medical bracing, or a combination, may be most appropriate.
Do you assess my shoes and sport-specific footwear?
Yes. Footwear is an important part of the assessment. Michelle considers the shoes you wear for everyday life, work, exercise, and sport, and how they interact with your individual foot mechanics and movement patterns. We encourage you to bring your commonly worn shoes and relevant sport-specific footwear.
Do you offer medical bracing?
Yes. Michelle has extensive knowledge of medical bracing and can help determine whether a brace may be beneficial based on your individual needs. Bracing can also be integrated with orthotics, footwear recommendations, and rehabilitation when appropriate.
Do I need a referral to see a pedorthist?
You can book a pedorthic assessment directly at Performance Care Centre. However, extended health insurance plans can have specific requirements for custom orthotics and medical bracing, including prescriptions or supporting documentation. We recommend confirming the requirements of your individual plan before your appointment.
Are custom orthotics covered by insurance?
Many extended health benefit plans include coverage for custom orthotics. Coverage amounts and requirements vary by plan, so we recommend checking directly with your insurance provider.
Ready to Book a Custom Orthotics Assessment?
If you're experiencing foot, ankle, knee, or hip discomfort, changes in your gait, or recurring lower-limb concerns, a custom orthotics assessment can help identify factors that may be contributing and determine the right next step. Book a custom orthotics assessment with Michelle Laviolette at Performance Care Centre, serving Ancaster, Hamilton, and the surrounding area.