Custom 3D Orthotics in Michigan

Medically reviewed by Dr. Thomas Biernacki, DPM, FACFAS — Board-Certified Podiatric Surgeon — Last updated April 2026

Reviewed by Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM — Board-Certified Podiatric Surgeon | Updated April 2026

Custom 3D Orthotics in Howell & Bloomfield Hills, MI

Stop guessing with drugstore insoles. Custom 3D orthotics from Balance Foot & Ankle Specialists are precision-crafted for your unique foot anatomy using in-office 3D digital scanning technology. No messy plaster casts. Same-day scanning. Insurance often covers the cost.

Schedule a Custom Orthotics Evaluation →

What Are Custom 3D Orthotics?

Custom orthotics are medical devices prescribed by a podiatrist and individually crafted to correct the biomechanical inefficiencies of your specific feet. Unlike over-the-counter insoles that are mass-produced in generic sizes, custom orthotics are made from a 3D digital scan of your feet and designed based on a thorough evaluation of your gait, posture, and foot structure. Learn more about our plantar fasciitis and heel pain services.

Who Needs Custom Orthotics?

• plantar fasciitis — orthotics provide arch support and offload the inflamed fascia
• Flat feet — prevent overpronation and reduce knee, hip, and back pain
• High arches — distribute pressure more evenly across the foot
• Diabetic foot care — offload pressure points and prevent ulcers
• Bunions and hammertoes — reduce progression and alleviate pressure
• Heel pain and heel spurs — cushion and support the heel
• Sports injuries — improve biomechanics and prevent recurrence

What to Expect at Your Custom Orthotics Appointment

1. Comprehensive biomechanical evaluation — assessment of your walking pattern, joint mobility, and foot structure
2. 3D digital foot scan — precise measurement of arch height, foot width, and pressure distribution
3. Prescription design — your podiatrist specifies exactly how the orthotic should correct your biomechanics
4. Fabrication — your custom orthotics are manufactured to specifications (typically 2-3 weeks)
5. Fitting and adjustment appointment — we ensure a perfect fit and make any needed modifications

Does Insurance Cover Custom Orthotics?

Many insurance plans cover custom orthotics when medically necessary and prescribed by a podiatrist. Medicare covers diabetic custom insoles for qualifying diabetic patients. Call our office at (810) 206-1402 and we’ll check your benefits before your appointment. Learn more about our diabetic foot care services.

Why Choose Balance Foot & Ankle Specialists for Custom Orthotics?

• 3D digital scanning — the most accurate foot measurement technology available
• Board-certified podiatrists with advanced biomechanics training
• 4.9-star rating from 5,000+ Michigan patients
• Insurance verification before your appointment
• Multiple orthotic types — functional, accommodative, sport-specific, carbon fiber, and diabetic

Stop Guessing. Start Walking Pain-Free.

Schedule your custom orthotics evaluation. Call (810) 206-1402 or book online.

Book Custom Orthotics Evaluation

Want custom orthotics that actually work? Our 3D-scanned prescription orthotics are designed by board-certified podiatrists. Call (810) 206-1402 or book your fitting.

Custom Orthotics Cost and Insurance Coverage

Custom orthotic coverage depends on your insurance plan. Most commercial plans through Blue Cross Blue Shield, United Healthcare, and Aetna cover custom orthotics when prescribed by a podiatrist for a diagnosed medical condition, with prior authorization required. Coverage is typically limited to one pair per plan year.

Medicare covers therapeutic shoes and inserts for patients with diabetes through the Medicare Therapeutic Shoe Bill, but does not cover standard custom orthotics for conditions like plantar fasciitis. Without insurance coverage, custom 3D-scanned orthotics typically cost $300 to $600 per pair. View self-pay pricing.

Our team handles the prior authorization process and verifies your specific orthotic coverage before ordering. Call (810) 206-1402.

What Our Patients Say About Custom Orthotics

The 3D scanning process was quick and the custom orthotics I received are like walking on clouds. My plantar fasciitis pain has decreased by at least 80 percent since I started wearing them daily.

— Nancy E., Bloomfield Hills

I had tried every insole from the store with no relief. The custom orthotics from Balance Foot and Ankle are in a completely different league. They fit perfectly and my knee and hip pain have improved too.

— Steven R., Pinckney

Watch: How Custom Orthotics Are Made

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3igM93n24bI

Dr. Tom walks through the 3D scanning process and explains how custom orthotics differ from over-the-counter insoles. Watch to see what your appointment will look like.

Related Reading

• Flat Feet Treatment: Complete Guide from a Podiatrist
• Achilles Tendinitis: Symptoms, Treatment & Recovery
• Heel Spur vs Plantar Fasciitis: What’s the Difference?
• Bunion Prevention: How to Stop Bunions Before They Start

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get custom orthotics?

The 3D scanning appointment takes about 30 minutes. Fabrication typically takes 2-3 weeks. Your fitting appointment is scheduled when they arrive.

Are custom orthotics covered by Medicare?

Medicare covers custom diabetic insoles for qualifying diabetic patients (one pair of inserts and shoes per year under Part B). We verify all benefits before your appointment.

How long do custom orthotics last?

Quality custom orthotics typically last 3-5 years with proper care. We offer adjustments and refurbishing to extend the life of your orthotics.

Can I use custom orthotics in multiple pairs of shoes?

Yes — most orthotics can be transferred between shoes with removable insoles. We can also prescribe slimmer orthotic versions for dress shoes, sports cleats, or ski boots.

Do you offer custom orthotics for children?

Yes. Pediatric orthotics support healthy foot development in children with flat feet, toe walking, gait abnormalities, and growing pains.

What Makes 3D Digital Orthotics Superior to Cast-Based Custom Orthotics?

Traditional custom orthotic fabrication required a plaster cast of the foot — a messy, time-consuming process subject to casting errors from patient positioning during the pour. Our 3D digital scanning process captures a precise weightbearing scan of your foot in milliseconds, producing a digital model accurate to within 0.1mm. This data drives computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) processes that create your orthotic with precision no human casting process can match.

The digital workflow also enables: iterative design review before fabrication begins, exact duplication if your orthotics are lost or worn out (your digital prescription is stored in our system), and design modifications based on your response without starting over from scratch. Multiple shell materials can be selected based on your activity level and foot condition — rigid carbon fiber for high-demand athletic use, semi-rigid polypropylene for everyday wear, and accommodative soft EVA foams for diabetic or rheumatoid feet.

Metatarsal pads, heel cups, medial wedges, and accommodative cutouts are all incorporated digitally with exact placement based on your foot’s pressure map. Patients with Morton’s neuroma, sesamoiditis, plantar fasciitis, flat feet, and diabetic foot conditions all benefit from condition-specific orthotic designs available through our 3D system. Most custom orthotics are fabricated and ready within 2-3 weeks of your scanning appointment at our Howell or Bloomfield Hills office.

Frequently Asked Questions

Custom orthotics made with quality shell materials typically last 3-5 years with normal use. The shell (structural component) maintains its function for this period; the top cover (cushioning layer) may need replacement every 1-2 years depending on activity level. Athletic orthotics used for running or high-impact sports may need re-evaluation after 500-700 running miles. Our team checks your orthotic function at follow-up visits and recommends replacement or refurbishment when appropriate.

Yes — pediatric custom orthotics are available at our Howell and Bloomfield Hills offices. For rapidly growing feet, we recommend re-evaluation every 6-12 months and may suggest a combination of prefabricated orthotics for interim use between custom pairs. Custom orthotics are particularly beneficial for children with symptomatic flat feet, in-toeing gait, heel pain (Sever’s disease), and sports-related foot conditions.

Most insurance plans and Medicare cover custom orthotics when medical necessity is documented — meaning you have a diagnoses (plantar fasciitis, flat feet, diabetic foot, etc.) that requires orthotic intervention. Coverage requires a prescription and a letter of medical necessity. Our team handles all documentation and billing, and pre-authorizes orthotics with your insurance company when required. We’ll let you know your specific out-of-pocket cost before fabrication begins.

Over-the-counter insoles are mass-produced in limited sizes and shapes that provide general arch support or cushioning. Custom orthotics are fabricated from a precise scan of your specific foot, designed to control your particular biomechanical pattern, and built from materials matched to your activity level and condition. For mild conditions or general comfort, quality OTC insoles can be helpful. For plantar fasciitis, flat feet, diabetic foot, and other structural conditions requiring biomechanical correction, custom orthotics provide a fundamentally different level of function.

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Related Patient Guides

• The Complete Guide to Custom Orthotics
• Plantar Fasciitis Treatment
• Flat Feet Pain: Causes & Treatment
• Hallux Rigidus: Big Toe Arthritis Treatment
• Morton’s Neuroma: Symptoms & Treatment
• How to Choose the Right Shoes for Your Foot Type
• Foot Pain After Standing All Day: Causes & Relief for Workers
• Orthotics for Runners: Do You Need Them & What They Fix

👟 Dr. Tom’s Pick: CURREX RunPro Insoles for Runners

CURREX RunPro are biomechanically tuned running insoles with 3 arch profiles (low, medium, high) to match your foot type. Unlike generic insoles, they’re engineered specifically for the high-impact demands of running — reducing pronation stress and metatarsal loading.

View CURREX RunPro on Amazon →

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Balance Foot & Ankle earns from qualifying purchases.

Custom Orthotics vs. Over-the-Counter Insoles: Which Do You Need?

Over-the-counter insoles from drugstores provide generic cushioning and arch support. They can help with mild discomfort but are not designed for your specific foot anatomy. Custom orthotics are medical devices prescribed by a podiatrist after a comprehensive biomechanical evaluation and 3D digital scan of your feet.

Over-the-counter insoles may be enough if: You have mild arch discomfort after long days on your feet, you want extra cushioning in dress shoes, or you have no diagnosed foot condition and just want preventive support.

Custom orthotics are recommended if: You have a diagnosed condition like plantar fasciitis, flat feet, or bunions. You have diabetes and need pressure redistribution to prevent ulcers. You have tried OTC insoles without lasting relief. You have a leg length discrepancy, overpronation, or structural foot deformity. Or you are an athlete experiencing recurring foot or ankle injuries.

Key differences:

Fit: OTC insoles come in generic sizes (S, M, L). Custom orthotics are molded precisely to your foot using 3D digital scanning technology — matching your exact arch height, pressure points, and biomechanical needs.
Materials: OTC insoles use foam or gel that compresses within weeks. Custom orthotics use medical-grade polypropylene, carbon fiber, or EVA that maintains correction for 2-5 years.
Correction vs. cushioning: OTC insoles primarily cushion. Custom orthotics actively correct abnormal foot mechanics, redistributing pressure and realigning your gait.
Durability: OTC insoles last 3-6 months. Custom orthotics last 2-5 years with proper care.
Insurance coverage: OTC insoles are not covered by insurance. Custom orthotics are often covered when prescribed for a medical condition.

Areas We Serve

• Brighton, MI
• West Bloomfield, MI
• Farmington Hills, MI
• Novi, MI
• Southfield, MI
• Royal Oak, MI

Insurance Accepted: Medicare · BCBS · United Healthcare · Aetna and more

Clinical References

• Banwell HA, Mackintosh S, Thewlis D. Foot orthoses for adults with flexible pes planus: a systematic review. J Foot Ankle Res. 2014;7(1):23. doi:10.1186/1757-1146-7-23
• Landorf KB, Keenan AM, Herbert RD. Effectiveness of foot orthoses to treat plantar fasciitis: a randomized trial. Arch Intern Med. 2006;166(12):1305-1310. doi:10.1001/archinte.166.12.1305
• Mills K, Blanch P, Chapman AR, McPoil TG, Vicenzino B. Foot orthoses and gait: a systematic review and meta-analysis of literature. Br J Sports Med. 2010;44(14):1035-1046. doi:10.1136/bjsm.2009.066977

Related Conditions & Treatments

Custom orthotics can help with many foot conditions. Explore related topics: Plantar Fasciitis, Heel Pain, Sports Medicine, and Bunions.

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Looking for heel pain solutions? Visit our Complete Plantar Fasciitis Guide for a comprehensive overview of causes, home treatment, stretches, and advanced therapy options.

Clinical Sources

• Landorf KB, et al. Effectiveness of foot orthoses to treat plantar fasciitis: a randomized trial. Arch Intern Med. 2006;166(12):1305-1310. PubMed
• Banwell HA, et al. Foot orthoses for adults with flexible pes planus: a systematic review. J Foot Ankle Res. 2014;7(1):23. PubMed
• Mills K, et al. A systematic review and meta-analysis of custom foot orthoses. Br J Sports Med. 2010;44(13):964-971. PubMed
• American Podiatric Medical Association. Custom Orthotics vs. Over-the-Counter Insoles.

Serving Patients Across Southeast Michigan

Balance Foot & Ankle provides expert podiatric care from two convenient locations. Our Howell office serves patients from Brighton, Hartland, Fowlerville, Pinckney, Fenton, Hamburg, Whitmore Lake, South Lyon, and throughout Livingston County. Our Bloomfield Hills office serves Birmingham, Troy, West Bloomfield, Pontiac, Farmington Hills, Southfield, Royal Oak, Clarkston, Lake Orion, Rochester Hills, Waterford, Commerce Township, Novi, and Walled Lake across Oakland County.

Who treats you

Board-certified care at both Michigan locations

Dr. Tom BiernackiDPM, FACFAS
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Dr. Carl JayDPM, Fellowship
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Dr. Daria GutkinDPM
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1,123+

Google Reviews

4.9★

Average rating

3,000+

Procedures performed

2

Michigan locations

Same-Week Appointments

Book your visit today

Most insurance accepted · On-site X-ray · Board-certified podiatrists

Howell · (810) 206-1402 Bloomfield · (248) 335-0322

or book online →