Given how much we rely on our feet for many of our everyday activities, a problem in any of their structures can be agonizing or even incapacitating.

When your foot or ankle hurts, you might be inclined to look for a quick fix, such as over-the-counter insoles. However, the question is do they even work or are they really safe?

While some over-the-counter insoles live up to their claims, there’s just no guarantee as to whether the ones you got are the right solution for you. Wearing the wrong ones can put you at risk for even worse problems.

The best thing to do is to consult a podiatrist to get proper assessment. Based on your diagnosis, your podiatrist will create medical orthotics that are tailored to your specific foot or ankle injury, deformity, or biomechanical deficit.

Here at Cincinnati Foot & Ankle Care, our board-certified podiatrists combine their expertise with cutting-edge technology to produce the best possible treatment outcomes. We are highly trained in various techniques in designing custom orthotics, among which utilizes digital imaging. With the sophisticated 3D scanning technology we use, you can rest assured that your orthotics are free from design flaws and material defects, and that they perfectly serve their purpose—whether to correct a deformity, provide optimal comfort, stabilize your gait, and/or protect you from injury.

In this blog post, we are going to delve into 3D scanning for custom orthotics, particularly how it works and its remarkable benefits.

We employ Allied OSI Labs’ scanning technology to capture a full-color, 3D digital cast of your foot. We utilize a tablet (iPad) with a built-in structure sensor scanner to develop dense, real-time geometry, which creates quick but precise 3D models with high-resolution textures.

The laser on the sensor shows a “point cloud,” which is a set of data points in a three-dimensional coordinate system. Once our technician starts scanning your foot, the camera also starts taking multiple pictures as it is moved around your foot, thereby producing a 3D image.

The procedure usually takes up to two minutes. We will have you lie on a table as our technician scans your foot.

While our podiatrists are experts in a variety of techniques for creating foot impressions for custom orthotics, such as plaster casting, we recommend 3D scanning—for a number of good reasons, such as the following:

• Provides quick results- Allows for faster production of orthotics, so you can wear them right away
• Ensures optimal precision- Helps ensure better-quality, more comfortable orthotics
• Yields comprehensive information- Provides you with details about your gait, pressure points, sizing, arch type, pronation, etc.
• Environmentally friendly- Results in less material waste compared to traditional casting methods

Ready to reap the benefits of 3D scanning for your custom orthotics? Schedule a consultation with one of our other podiatrists today. Call us at our clinic nearest you or use our convenient appointment request form.