Orthotic Sandals & Orthotic Thongs

Custom foot orthotics are fantastic and powerful medical devices that support the recovery, optimal foot function, and future injury prevention for many of our clients across Brisbane. With our orthotics replacing the insole of a shoe, this leaves an important question: what about if I want to wear sandals and thongs? 

Thanks to our investment in innovative technology, we’re proud to offer two options for orthotic sandals and thongs: browsing our carefully curated sandal range that seamlessly accommodate our world class foot orthotics, and having a pair of custom orthotic thongs created. 

What Are Custom Orthotic Sandals & Thongs?

Custom orthotic sandals and thongs are shoes that are carefully created especially for your feet by our podiatrists following a comprehensive biomechanical assessment. Unlike other sandals and thongs that give you a one-size-fits-all base that may not match your foot type or what feels comfortable to you, having custom shoes created means your sandals will be giving you the exact support you need to help optimise your foot health and keep you comfortable all day long.

The prescription process for our custom sandals and thongs is similar to that of our custom foot orthotics - except it is designed into a shoe, as opposed to an insole. This process involves:

• Capturing a 3D digital render of your foot (with 0.1mm accuracy with the fantastic tech we use)
  
• Completing a comprehensive assessment and getting all the information we need - from the muscle strength in your feet and legs to any restrictions in the joints of your feet, to aspects of your foot posture
  
• Capturing your gait on our video gait analysis software
  
• Completing an in-shoe pressure assessment
  
• Taking the time to know you, your medical history, your lifestyle and activity levels, and your personal preferences for your footwear
  

The end result is a pair of sandals or thongs that are specific for your feet in the same way that prescription glasses are specific for your eyes.

What Are The Benefits Of Wearing Orthotic Thongs Or Sandals?

The beauty of custom orthotic sandals and thongs is that they address the exact problems you’re having with your feet and legs - and they can do this in a wide range of ways. Depending on your circumstances, this may mean:

• Helping to alleviate pressure away from a painful joint
  
• Reducing the strain on a tendon or ligament
  
• Adjusting the way that your feet move during gait (their biomechanics)
  
• Giving the structures through your arch more support
  
• Supporting tired muscles, joints and ligaments in your legs and feet whenever you are standing, to improve your daily comfort and reduce end-of-day fatigue
  
• Improving your comfort when walking and doing daily activities
  
• Aiding in the resolution of acute and chronic injuries
  
• Assisting in the healing of foot ulcers
  
• Addressing any leg length differences you may have
• Combined with regular emollient the sandals can cup the area of the heel so pressure is distributed evenly to prevent and treat cracked heels

A big benefit of custom sandals and thongs is that there’s no guesswork as to whether the shoe is right for you or will be doing the best by your feet - because it’s designed to be. It also means you get the best fit where other shoe brands may not be able to best support you, like if you have a bunion or a wide foot.

How Do I Know If I Need Orthotic Foot Support?

The only way to truly know if you need orthotic foot support in general, whether that’s via regular insoles for closed-in shoes or custom sandals or thongs, is through an appointment with our podiatry team. Orthotics can be incredibly valuable and helpful as part of a treatment plan for many conditions and circumstances, but they are not needed by everyone. Here’s a list of common conditions that often benefit from the use of orthotics:

Our Curated Orthotic Sandal Range

Aside from our custom orthotic sandals, we also stock a carefully curated range of orthotic sandals that have a removable insole that is designed to be replaced with a custom foot orthotic. These brands are very stylish and modern, and many people find a range of styles that they love. We stock a wide range of brands including Vionic, Revere, Anodyne and more. Learn more about our styles here, or contact us to learn more about the current range available.

               
    Espradji Womens                              Espradji Mens

Should I Wear My Orthotic Sandals All Of The Time?

The support that orthotic insoles or orthotic sandals offers only acts on your feet when you're wearing the devices, which is why we recommend that if you’ve been prescribed orthotics for foot pain or an injury, having them on when you’re on your feet for prolonged periods or engaging in physical activity (and generally as much as possible) will help you get the best results. 

Outside of having an injury, if your problem has settled, it is usually fine to wear the orthotics for 80% of time. Many people that order custom orthotic sandals or thongs do so because they get significant relief and benefits from wearing their orthotics, and want to be able to do so more freely over the warmer months without being confined to specific shoes. 

FAQs