What we need to reduce re-make rate for custom shoe orders
Preparation for Custom-shoe Orders
In order to manufacture the best-fit custom-made shoes, we need following items to be submitted with your order. Please remember, cast is very important, but cast is not everything.
1. Casts
Casts must be semi-weight-bearing and CLOSED-TOE, i.e., patient needs to be in seating position and leg is perpendicular to the foot.
Preferable casting materials are:
- Plaster bandage
- Fiber-glass casting tapes
- Carved positive casts
- Digitized cast files
STS® socks are not recommended since they tend to shrink during transit and under hot summer weather in Los Angeles.
When using fiber-glass casting material, please pay attention to the following problems:
- The most common problem with fiber-glass casts is that the cast does not show the end of the longest toe. Proper wrapping around the end of the longest toe will eliminate this kind of problem. Most practitioners wrap the toes first, then the rest of the foot.
- The other common problem with fiber-glass casts is that the wrapping is too tight, which makes the cast narrower and longer than the actual foot.
When sending plaster casts, please wait until they are completely dry. Wet casts may collapse or change shape during transportation.
2. Foot Tracing
Please provide weight-bearing foot tracings so that we can know how much the foot spreads sideward and forward. Weight-bearing tracing is done while patient is in standing position. If the patient has difficulties to stand up, then just do the semi-weight bearing tracings. Hold the pen or pencil in perpendicular position to the paper.Please always indicate whether the tracing is weight-bearing or semi-weight-bearing.
3. Foot Impressions
Foot impressions on foam are optional. It is highly recommended as they are a very helpful reference to the cast. Foot impressions provide better definition of the plantar surface of the foot, and pressure offload can be made easily by pressing down the foam material.
4. Foot Pictures
Foot pictures are also optional. But in case of any ulcerations/callusing, amputations, or severe foot deformities, pictures can provide better understanding of the foot condition.
5. Custom-shoe Order Form
Please always use the Custom-shoe Order Form. Some important information like patient's weight and height, the rigidity of the foot, foot problems, shoe and foot orthotic specifications, etc., can only be recorded in written form.
To ensure the perfect fit of a custom shoe, it is essential that our lab receives quality casts from practitioners. Our technicians will first review each cast for proper weight bearing and stability, as well as any close-toe wrapping techniques used by the practitioner to secure an accurate impression of their patient's foot or feet. If corrections need to be made on the cast before creating a last , meticulous measurement and tracing may be conducted using information provided in accompanying paperwork included with your order—or in rare cases, we might request another casting entirely. Clear communication between all parties throughout this process is key to obtaining optimal results.
Our experienced team of technicians creates a positive plaster foot with the utmost precision. Using state-of-the-art 3D scanning technology, we capture an accurate digital image before making corrections and adjustments to enhance its accuracy. We then carefully remove any excess materials from the original model prior to comparing it against customer measurements provided on the order form for verification purposes - ensuring our finished products are true reflections of your patient's feet!
The custom-molded Tri-laminate insole is an essential part of creating a good pair of shoes. We always include one with each shoe - this process begins by heating up EVA blank material (or alternative materials, if the prescription calls for it) and molding them over the outer shell or "last" shape. This initial stage also involves trimming excess material to create balance before adding additional layers for depth adjustment. All of our custom insoles have been approved under PDAC code, A5513, so you can trust our superior quality.
Our team begins the process by sketching the pattern for their desired shoe on an outsole and last. After cutting and measuring paper patterns to ensure all pieces fit perfectly, these patterns are traced onto leather or other materials needed for construction - such as straps for a Velcro closure, D-rings/eyelets - then stitched into place to form a complete upper. If requested additions like padded collars or tongue padding were included in the request we'll add them now too before completing the building of the upper over its last base with insoles plus mid layer added if necessary along with any possible reinforcement options like composite toe boxes & heel counters per client specifications prior to finishing off this creative masterpiece!
With the finishing touches in place, the shoes undergo their last stages of production. A welt is added for extra protection against scuffing, and special modifications like rockers, buttresses, or flares are applied to customize each outsole. After detailed polishing and lacing - along with all necessary paperwork – these finely crafted products become ready for shipment around the world.