Dayton Area Custom Orthotics for Foot, Heel, and Arch Pain

Custom orthotics can help relieve foot pain, improve stability, support abnormal arches, and reduce stress on the feet, ankles, knees, hips, and back. At Sunshein Podiatry, Dr. Kevin Sunshein provides custom foot orthotics for patients in Centerville, Dayton, Kettering, Beavercreek, Miamisburg, and surrounding Miami Valley communities.

Unlike store-bought shoe inserts, custom orthotics are medical devices made specifically for your feet. They are designed to support your unique foot structure, improve the way your feet function, and help address the underlying mechanical problems that may be causing your pain.

If you are dealing with heel pain, arch pain, plantar fasciitis, bunions, hammertoes, arthritis, diabetic foot concerns, abnormal pronation, or recurring foot fatigue, custom orthotics may be an important part of your treatment plan. To schedule an appointment, call (937) 435-7477 or contact our Centerville podiatry office today.

Why Custom Orthotics Help With Foot Pain

Your feet are the foundation of your entire body. When your feet do not support you properly, the effects can move upward into your ankles, knees, hips, and lower back. Poor foot alignment, abnormal pronation, uneven arches, and unstable mechanics can place extra stress on soft tissues, joints, tendons, and ligaments.

Custom orthotics are designed to help control these abnormal forces. By supporting the feet in a more stable and efficient position, orthotics may help reduce pain, improve balance, limit excess motion, and make standing, walking, working, and exercising more comfortable.

At Sunshein Podiatry, our custom foot orthotics are different from many other types of orthotics because they are designed to control the foot more efficiently, improve stability, and help equalize abnormal forces placed on your feet. This is especially important because much of the foot pain patients experience is caused by compensation from soft tissues and joints when the arches do not function evenly during weight bearing.

Custom Orthotics Are Not the Same as Store-Bought Inserts

It is important to understand the difference between custom orthotics and the shoe inserts you can buy at a department store, pharmacy, running store, or online. Store-bought inserts may provide extra cushioning. Some may offer light arch support. For mild, temporary discomfort, that may be enough.

But if you are experiencing ongoing foot pain, heel pain, arch pain, leg fatigue, or alignment problems, you may need more than cushioning. You may need a medical solution designed around your feet.

Custom orthotics are carefully crafted to work with your unique foot structure, arch support needs, symptoms, shoes, and activity level. They are not pulled from a shelf. They are made after a podiatric evaluation and impressions of your feet, then used as part of a personalized treatment plan.

Good, Better, Best: Comparing Your Foot Support Options

Not all inserts, arch supports, and orthotics are created equal. Before you spend money on foot support, it is worth understanding what you are getting.

Most People Think Custom Orthotics Are Expensive Until They Compare Their Options

Many patients assume custom orthotics are expensive. But custom orthotics from a podiatrist may provide a better value than costly non-custom arch supports from a retail store.

At Sunshein Podiatry, Dr. Sunshein’s custom orthotics are $950. After you are satisfied and see how well your orthotics work for you, a second pair may be available for $475.

Patients often tell us they have seen non-custom retail arch support programs priced between $1,200 and $1,700. Before you spend that kind of money on arch supports that are not made specifically for your feet, it makes sense to compare your options with an experienced podiatrist.

With Sunshein custom orthotics, you are not just paying for a device. You are getting Dr. Sunshein’s expertise, a podiatric evaluation, foot impressions, shoe guidance, fitting support, and follow-up care.

Our 90-Day Custom Orthotics Satisfaction Guarantee

Dr. Sunshein believes strongly in the custom orthotics he provides. That is why Sunshein Podiatry offers a 90-day satisfaction guarantee for custom orthotics.

Give us 90 days to work with you. Follow Dr. Sunshein’s recommendations, wear appropriate shoes, use your orthotics as directed, and let us know if something does not feel right. If you are not satisfied with your progress after working through the process with us, we will make it right or refund your money.

This guarantee is designed for patients who are committed to the process. Orthotics need to be worn properly, paired with appropriate shoes, and adjusted when necessary. When patients follow the plan and work with our office, we are confident in the value of what custom orthotics can provide.

Why Choose Dr. Kevin Sunshein for Custom Orthotics?

When you choose Sunshein Podiatry, you are not simply buying shoe inserts. You are working with a podiatrist who has spent decades evaluating, diagnosing, and treating foot and ankle problems.

Dr. Kevin Sunshein has been a podiatrist for 42 years and has spent 35 years in private practice. His experience allows him to evaluate how your feet function, how your arches support your body, how your shoes affect your symptoms, and whether custom orthotics may help reduce the abnormal forces contributing to your pain.

You can learn more about his background on Dr. Kevin Sunshein’s bio page.

Can Custom Orthotics Reduce the Need for Surgery?

In addition to being an experienced podiatrist, Dr. Sunshein is also a foot and ankle surgeon. That dual perspective shapes how he evaluates each patient's feet, with an understanding of when conservative care may be enough and when surgical correction should be considered.

For many patients, well-designed custom orthotics may help relieve pressure, improve alignment, and stabilize foot mechanics enough to delay or avoid foot and ankle surgery. For patients who do require a surgical procedure, properly fitted orthotics may help stabilize the feet beforehand, support better recovery, and protect the long-term results of the surgical correction.

Conditions Custom Orthotics May Help Treat

Custom orthotics are used to help manage a wide range of foot and ankle problems. They may be recommended on their own or as part of a broader treatment plan that includes shoe changes, stretching, physical therapy, anti-inflammatory care, laser therapy, or other podiatric treatments.

Plantar Fasciitis

One of the most common conditions custom orthotics can help treat is plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis causes pain in the heel and arch of the foot due to inflammation or irritation of the plantar fascia, the thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot and helps support the arch.

When you walk or run, the plantar fascia helps your toes push off the ground. If your arch is not properly supported, extra tension can build in this tissue and cause pain. Custom orthotics may help support the arch, reduce strain on the plantar fascia, and improve the mechanics contributing to your symptoms.

Learn more about plantar fasciitis symptoms and treatment.

Heel Pain

Heel pain is often connected to plantar fasciitis, poor arch support, abnormal pressure, improper shoes, or faulty foot mechanics. Custom orthotics can be especially helpful when heel pain is caused by poor alignment or excess strain on the bottom of the foot.

If your heel hurts when you first get out of bed, after long periods of standing, or after activity, a podiatric evaluation can help determine whether custom orthotics should be part of your care plan. Visit our page on heel pain treatment to learn more.

Bunions

A bunion is a deformity in which the big toe shifts toward the second toe while the first metatarsal bone moves outward. This can cause pain, irritation, pressure, and difficulty finding shoes that fit comfortably.

Custom orthotics do not remove a bunion, but they may help improve foot mechanics, reduce abnormal pressure, support the foot, and make walking more comfortable. They may also help slow progression in some patients by improving how weight is distributed across the foot.

For patients with painful bunions, orthotics may be used as part of a conservative care plan before surgical options are considered.

Hammertoes

A hammertoe develops when a toe joint remains bent instead of lying straight. This can create pressure, rubbing, corns, calluses, shoe irritation, and pain.

Hammertoes may be caused by muscle imbalance, tight tendons, abnormal foot mechanics, or shoes that crowd the toes. Custom orthotics may help by improving support, reducing pressure on the forefoot, and helping the foot function more efficiently inside the shoe.

Abnormal Pronation

Pronation is the natural rolling motion of the foot during walking and running. When the foot rolls inward too much, it is called overpronation. When the foot does not roll inward enough, it is often called supination. Both patterns can place abnormal stress on the feet and lower limbs.

Abnormal pronation can contribute to foot pain, arch pain, heel pain, ankle strain, knee pain, hip discomfort, and back pain. Custom orthotics may help guide the feet into a more supported position and reduce the excess forces created by poor mechanics.

This is one reason it is important to wear your orthotics consistently, including at home when recommended. Unsupported feet can quickly return to the same painful movement patterns that caused symptoms in the first place.

Arthritis

Arthritis can cause pain, stiffness, swelling, and reduced motion in the joints of the feet and ankles. The most common form is osteoarthritis, which involves the breakdown of cartilage that helps joints move smoothly.

Custom orthotics may help relieve arthritis-related discomfort by supporting the joints, improving alignment, reducing pressure, and adding stability. Depending on your symptoms, soft or semi-rigid orthotics may be recommended to help cushion painful areas while still improving function.

Diabetic Foot Care

People with diabetes are at increased risk for foot problems, including nerve damage, poor circulation, pressure sores, wounds, infections, and ulcers. Proper shoes and foot support can be an important part of preventing complications.

For some patients with diabetes, custom orthotics may help reduce pressure, protect vulnerable areas, improve shoe fit, and support safer walking. If you have diabetes, it is important to inspect your feet daily and report any cuts, sores, redness, swelling, or changes to your podiatrist right away.

Learn more about our diabetic foot care services.

Knee, Hip, and Back Pain Related to Foot Alignment

Foot problems do not always stay in the feet. Because your feet support your entire body, poor alignment can affect the way your ankles, knees, hips, and lower back move. If your symptoms are worse after walking, standing, working, or exercising, your feet may be contributing to the problem.

Custom orthotics may help reduce strain on the lower body by improving support and alignment from the ground up. Read more about how your feet may be to blame for knee, hip, or back pain.

Types of Custom Orthotics

Custom orthotics come in different sizes, shapes, materials, and levels of flexibility. The right type depends on your diagnosis, foot structure, activity level, shoes, and treatment goals. Orthotics are typically used to protect the feet, improve abnormal biomechanics, reduce pressure, control motion, or combine several of these benefits.

Soft Orthotics

Soft orthotics are typically prescribed to absorb shock, increase balance, and relieve pressure on sore or uncomfortable areas of the foot. They may be helpful for patients with foot deformities, bunions, hammertoes, arthritis, diabetic foot concerns, or painful pressure points.

Soft orthotics are made from cushioning materials and may extend along the full length of the foot. Their main purpose is protection, comfort, pressure relief, and improved weight distribution.

Rigid Orthotics

Rigid orthotics are designed to control abnormal motion and improve biomechanical function. They are usually made from firm materials such as plastic, carbon fiber, or other supportive materials.

Rigid orthotics are often used in walking shoes or dress shoes and may help relieve foot pain, leg strain, or fatigue caused by abnormal mechanics. They are typically recommended when motion control and structural support are the primary goals.

Semi-Rigid Orthotics

Semi-rigid orthotics combine cushioning with motion control. They may include layers of softer materials reinforced by firmer support. This type of orthotic can help improve balance, support the foot, and provide some shock absorption.

Semi-rigid orthotics may be recommended for athletes, active adults, children with certain flatfoot conditions, or patients who need both comfort and control.

How Our Custom Orthotics Process Works

Our orthotics process is designed to help you understand what is causing your pain and what can be done to support your feet more effectively.

Step 1: We Listen to Your Symptoms and Goals

Your appointment begins with a conversation about your pain, shoes, activity level, work demands, exercise habits, and what you want to be able to do more comfortably.

Step 2: Dr. Sunshein Evaluates Your Feet and Mechanics

Dr. Sunshein performs a podiatric evaluation to assess your foot structure, arch type, alignment, pressure patterns, and mechanics. This helps determine whether custom orthotics are appropriate for your condition.

Step 3: We Take Impressions of Your Feet

If custom orthotics are recommended, impressions are taken to help create orthotics designed specifically for your feet. These impressions are an important part of building support that matches your structure and treatment needs.

Step 4: Your Orthotics Are Custom Made

Your orthotics are fabricated based on your evaluation, impressions, and the type of support your feet require. The goal is to improve stability, support alignment, reduce abnormal stress, and help relieve pain.

Step 5: We Dispense and Review Your Orthotics

When your orthotics are ready, we review fit, shoe compatibility, break-in instructions, and what to expect as your body adjusts. We also explain how to use them properly and when to contact us if something does not feel right.

Step 6: We Work With You During the Adjustment Period

Custom orthotics may require adjustments. If an orthotic does not feel right or your symptoms are not improving as expected, we want to know. Follow-up care is part of what makes doctor-guided custom orthotics different from buying inserts on your own.

Why Proper Shoes Matter

Custom orthotics work best when they are paired with appropriate shoes. Shoes that are too flexible, too narrow, too worn out, or poorly structured can limit the benefit of the orthotics.

Dr. Sunshein may recommend specific shoe features based on your foot type and symptoms. This may include better stability, more depth, a wider toe box, stronger heel support, or shoes that can properly accommodate your orthotics.

Following shoe recommendations is an important part of getting the best results from your orthotics.

Are Custom Orthotics Right for You?

You may benefit from custom orthotics if you have:

• Heel pain when you first get out of bed
• Arch pain or foot fatigue
• Pain after standing or walking
• Flat feet or high arches
• Uneven shoe wear
• Recurring plantar fasciitis
• Bunions or hammertoes
• Arthritis-related foot pain
• Diabetes-related pressure concerns
• Knee, hip, or back pain that may be related to foot alignment
• Pain that has not improved with store-bought inserts
• A desire to avoid or delay surgery when conservative care is appropriate

The best way to know whether orthotics are right for you is to have your feet evaluated by an experienced podiatrist.

Frequently Asked Questions About Custom Orthotics

Are custom orthotics worth it?

Custom orthotics may be worth it if your pain is caused by poor foot mechanics, abnormal pronation, arch problems, plantar fasciitis, pressure issues, or alignment problems. They are especially worth considering if store-bought inserts have not provided lasting relief.

How much do custom orthotics cost at Sunshein Podiatry?

Custom orthotics at Sunshein Podiatry are $950. After you are satisfied with your orthotics, a second pair may be available for $475.

Are custom orthotics better than store-bought inserts?

Custom orthotics are more personalized than store-bought inserts. Store-bought inserts may provide cushioning, but custom orthotics are made for your specific feet after a podiatric evaluation and are designed to address your unique support and alignment needs.

Are custom orthotics different from retail arch supports?

Yes. Many retail arch supports are selected from pre-made options. Custom orthotics from Sunshein Podiatry are made for your feet after a podiatric evaluation and impressions. You also receive shoe guidance, fitting support, and follow-up care.

Can custom orthotics help plantar fasciitis?

Custom orthotics may help plantar fasciitis by supporting the arch, reducing strain on the plantar fascia, and improving the mechanics that contribute to heel and arch pain.

Can custom orthotics help knee, hip, or back pain?

In some cases, yes. If poor foot alignment is contributing to stress in the knees, hips, or lower back, custom orthotics may help improve support from the ground up.

How long does it take to get used to custom orthotics?

Many patients need a gradual break-in period. Your feet and body may need time to adjust to the new support. Dr. Sunshein will explain how to wear your orthotics and when to increase use.

What if my orthotics do not feel right?

Call our office. Custom orthotics sometimes need adjustments. Sunshein Podiatry works with patients during the adjustment process to improve fit, comfort, and function.

Do I need special shoes for custom orthotics?

You may need shoes with enough structure, support, and depth to accommodate your orthotics. Proper shoes are an important part of getting the best results.

Are custom orthotics covered by insurance?

Coverage varies by insurance plan. Our team can discuss payment, documentation, and available options with you during your visit.

Get Custom Orthotics That Address Your Unique Foot and Ankle Concerns

You do not have to keep guessing which insert, shoe, or arch support might help. If foot pain, heel pain, arch pain, or poor alignment is affecting your daily life, Sunshein Podiatry can help you understand what is causing the problem and whether custom orthotics are right for you.

Custom orthotics may be the nonsurgical treatment option that helps you walk, stand, work, exercise, and enjoy life with less pain. Instead of settling for generic off-the-shelf inserts, get support designed specifically for your feet by an experienced Centerville podiatrist.

Sunshein Podiatry proudly welcomes patients from Centerville, Dayton, Kettering, Beavercreek, Miamisburg, Springboro, Washington Township, Bellbrook, and surrounding Miami Valley communities.

To schedule an appointment, call (937) 435-7477 or request an appointment online.