Frequently asked questions

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First, conduct an assessment to determine the correct orthotic for your unique foot type. Then, navigate to our shop to purchase online. Contact us if you require assistance.

Instructions will be provided with your purchase. Alternatively, you can download them.

Your orthotics can be cleaned with soap and water. Hot water should never be used because it may melt and deform the orthotic.

You should be able to gradually increase wear time over a 7-10 day period. Begin with normal activity and gradually work towards more strenuous activities like sports. All foot orthoses should ideally be worn with socks to avoid blisters. Download break-in instructions.

The noise is usually due to slight movement, so you can try to put a tumble dryer sheet under your orthotic. If it is a short orthotic (i.e. blue, green, or purple), you can leave the shoe lining in under the orthotic (as long as it doesn’t have a large arch bump) so that the orthotic doesn’t move around. Even the longer ones can move around (i.e. yellow, red, orange). If they have a top cover (i.e. the black and grey swirled cover glued onto the orthotic), they should be trimmed using the shoe lining as a template so that they fit snugly in the shoes. If it feels as if the orthotics are curling up inside, adjust them by cutting the ends a little more. It can be tricky if you switch between shoes, but the shape should be close. A proper fit should prevent any movement. Make sure your shoes aren’t too narrow, which could cause your orthotic to float in the shoe. You can also try to rough up exterior edges with sandpaper to take off the shine.
Depending on usage, body size and age, they should last approximately 1-2 years. You should check your orthotics every few months for signs of wear and tear that might change the way your orthotics are supporting your feet. Children may outgrow their littleSTEPS® every 6 months to a year, and should be checked often for proper fit.
Yes, they can. The most common adjustments are to the length or width of the orthotic, heel-cup adjustments, adding full-length covers or liners and additional padding. For QUADRASTEP® orthoses, other customisations include metatarsal mounds/bars, extra posting or heel-lifts. These can be ordered by your practitioner or clinician.
Our orthoses are manufactured from an injection-moulded thermoplastic compound that has a unique combination of strength with a soft-edge feel. This provides optimal patient comfort. The strength of the material used is a feature that has been specifically matched to the amount of support each foot type requires.

QUADRASTEP® orthotics are designed with all of the correction you need for the best results. They are best suited to athletic shoes that provide a solid foundation. If the QUADRASTEP® orthotic is the correct fit, but seems too wide for your shoe, you can order a pair in a narrow width to accommodate your specific shoe.

Narrow orthotics are ¼” narrower and are designed for cleats or fashion shoes. They often work better for women or people with narrower feet. As a general rule, you will have fewer shoe-fit problems in a narrow orthotic. However, keep in mind that if you reduce the width too much then you can reduce function. An assessment needs to be done to make sure that the fit is correct and function hasn’t been compromised.

Developmental flatfoot is one of the most common conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system of children and teenagers. There is a tendency to undertreat or ignore a child’s flatfoot unless it is severe. Developmental flatfoot is the precursor to serious foot dysfunction and often results in some level of disability in the adult foot. Recognising this anomaly early in life will save joints and musculoskeletal issues later in life.

There are many things that can be done to manage a developmental flat foot. Your healthcare provider can help diagnose the condition and recommend the appropriate treatment. Intervention may include balance and coordination exercises, and littleSTEPS® foot orthotics for children.

It is normal for a child to walk on their toes for the first 2-3 months of walking. If your child continues to toe walk after this time, they should be examined to determine if they have tight heel cords (the tendon that connects to the back of the heel). Children who toe walk may simply require stretching of their heel cords, or they could require other interventions.

Although many children will continue to walk on their toes despite having normal heel cord flexibility, children with developmental flatfoot may assume this position to gain more stability. Wearing supportive shoes in combination with a littleSTEPS® foot orthotic can help them.

On the heel of each littleSTEPS® foot orthotic or gait plate, there is a circle with the model and size stamped on it. It also says LEFT or RIGHT under the size. It is important that you get the littleSTEPS® orthotics or gait plates in the correct shoe, and it is not always obvious by the shape of the littleSTEPS® orthotic or gait plate. It is also a good idea to make sure your child knows how to tell which shoe each orthotic goes into.
A general rule for parents is to base this on their child’s shoe size. If your child needs a new pair of shoes in the next size then they have probably outgrown their littleSTEPS® orthotics. We advise seeing the practitioner who issued your child their littleSTEPS® orthotics every 6-12 months to assess fit and effectiveness.

EXCITING NEWS

Freed Foot Orthotics are now covered by Discovery Health and will be funded from your Medical Savings Account (MSA).

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