Sometimes your body needs additional support to heal, function optimally, or manage a chronic condition. At Midas Physiotherapy in Oakville, we offer professional assessment, fitting, and dispensing of custom orthotics, custom braces, and medical-grade compression stockings—supportive devices that can make a meaningful difference in your recovery and quality of life.
What sets our clinic apart is the clinical expertise behind the products. Anyone can sell you an off-the-shelf insole or a generic brace from a box. We provide comprehensive assessment to determine exactly what you need, professional fitting to ensure it works correctly, and integration with your rehabilitation program so the device supports—rather than replaces—your recovery.
Whether you’re dealing with foot pain, joint instability, post-surgical recovery, chronic venous insufficiency, or conditions that require biomechanical support, we can help you find the right solution. Most extended health insurance plans cover these products with a prescription.
Our Supportive Products at a Glance
| Custom Orthotics | Custom Bracing | Compression Stockings | |
| What it is | Custom foot supports worn inside shoes | Custom-made joint support devices | Graduated compression hosiery for legs |
| Primary purpose | Correct foot mechanics, redistribute pressure, support arches | Stabilize joints, protect healing tissues, control motion | Improve circulation, reduce swelling, prevent blood clots |
| Common conditions | Plantar fasciitis, flat feet, knee pain, diabetes | ACL injuries, arthritis, instability, post-surgical | Varicose veins, DVT prevention, lymphedema, pregnancy |
| Lifespan | 1–5 years depending on type | 2–5+ years depending on type | 3–6 months with daily use |
| Insurance | Usually covered with prescription | Usually covered with prescription | Usually covered with prescription |
Custom Orthotics
Custom orthotics are medical devices worn inside your shoes to support, align, or improve foot function. Unlike over-the-counter insoles that come in generic sizes, custom orthotics are manufactured from a mold or scan of your specific feet and designed based on a comprehensive biomechanical assessment of your individual needs.
How Custom Orthotics Help
- Support and alignment: Correcting overpronation, underpronation, and other mechanical issues
- Pressure redistribution: Spreading forces more evenly across the foot to reduce stress on painful areas
- Shock absorption: Cushioning impact forces during walking and running
- Kinetic chain effects: Improving foot mechanics to reduce strain on ankles, knees, hips, and back
- Accommodation: Protecting vulnerable areas like diabetic feet or arthritic joints
Conditions Treated with Orthotics
- Plantar fasciitis: One of the most common reasons for orthotics—arch support reduces strain on the plantar fascia
- Flat feet (pes planus): Supporting collapsed arches to improve alignment and reduce fatigue
- High arches (pes cavus): Cushioning and pressure distribution for rigid, high-arched feet
- Metatarsalgia and Morton’s neuroma: Offloading the ball of the foot
- Bunions and toe deformities: Reducing pressure and slowing progression
- Achilles and posterior tibial tendinopathy: Controlling motion that stresses tendons
- Shin splints: Addressing overpronation that contributes to shin pain
- Knee, hip, and low back pain: When foot mechanics contribute to pain higher in the kinetic chain
- Diabetic foot protection: Accommodative orthotics to prevent ulcers and protect insensate feet
- Sports performance: Sport-specific orthotics for runners, cyclists, skiers, and other athletes
Our Orthotic Assessment Process
- History: Understanding your symptoms, activities, footwear, and goals
- Physical examination: Assessing foot structure, joint mobility, muscle strength, and alignment
- Gait analysis: Observing how you walk and run to identify biomechanical issues
- Foot impression: 3D digital scanning or foam impression in a corrected, neutral position
- Prescription: Specifying orthotic type, materials, and modifications for your needs
- Fitting and follow-up: Ensuring proper fit and making adjustments as needed
Types of Custom Orthotics
- Functional (rigid): Control abnormal motion; firmer materials; thinner profile
- Accommodative (soft): Maximum cushioning and protection; bulkier; for diabetic or arthritic feet
- Semi-rigid: Most common; combines support and cushioning
- Sport-specific: Designed for running, cycling, skiing, cleats, and other athletic footwear
Custom Bracing
Custom braces are medical devices designed to support, protect, align, or improve the function of a joint or body part. Unlike off-the-shelf braces that come in generic sizes, custom braces are manufactured from precise measurements of your body and prescribed based on a thorough assessment of your specific injury, biomechanics, and functional needs.
How Custom Braces Help
- Joint stabilization: Limiting excessive or abnormal joint motion that could cause injury or pain
- Load redistribution: Shifting forces away from damaged structures (especially in osteoarthritis)
- Healing protection: Shielding repaired ligaments, tendons, or bones during recovery
- Motion control: Allowing desired movements while preventing harmful ones
- Proprioceptive enhancement: Improving joint position awareness and neuromuscular control
Conditions Treated with Custom Bracing
- Ligament injuries: ACL, PCL, MCL, LCL injuries—both post-surgical and non-operative management
- Knee osteoarthritis: Unloader braces that shift load away from the damaged compartment
- Post-surgical rehabilitation: ACL reconstruction, meniscus repair, rotator cuff repair, shoulder stabilization
- Joint instability: Chronic knee, ankle, or shoulder instability
- Patellofemoral disorders: Patellar tracking problems and instability
- Ankle injuries: Chronic ankle instability, recurrent sprains, foot drop
- Wrist and hand conditions: Carpal tunnel, thumb arthritis, De Quervain’s tenosynovitis
- Return to sport: Protecting recovering structures during athletic activity
Types of Custom Braces
- Knee braces: Ligament braces, unloader braces for arthritis, patellofemoral braces, post-operative braces
- Ankle braces: Ankle stabilization braces, ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs)
- Wrist and hand braces: Wrist splints, thumb spica splints, hand splints
- Elbow braces: Post-operative and instability braces
- Shoulder braces: Stabilization braces, post-operative braces
Compression Stockings
Compression stockings (also called compression socks or support hosiery) are specially designed garments that apply graduated pressure to your legs—strongest at the ankle and decreasing up the leg. This graduated compression improves venous return, reduces swelling, and helps prevent blood clots.
How Compression Stockings Help
- Improved venous return: Compression helps blood flow back to the heart against gravity
- Reduced swelling: Preventing fluid from accumulating in the legs and ankles
- Blood clot prevention: Reducing the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
- Symptom relief: Reducing heaviness, aching, and fatigue in the legs
- Ulcer prevention and healing: Managing venous ulcers and preventing recurrence
Conditions Treated with Compression Stockings
- Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI): When leg veins don’t efficiently return blood to the heart
- Varicose veins: Reducing symptoms and slowing progression
- DVT prevention: Post-surgical, during long travel, or for those with risk factors
- Post-thrombotic syndrome: Managing chronic symptoms after DVT
- Lymphedema: Reducing and maintaining limb volume
- Pregnancy: Reducing leg swelling and preventing varicose veins
- Occupational swelling: For those who stand or sit for prolonged periods
- Athletic performance and recovery: Sports compression garment
Compression Classes
| Class | Pressure (mmHg) | Common Uses |
| Light support | 8–15 mmHg | Mild fatigue, travel |
| Class I | 15–20 mmHg | Minor varicose veins, pregnancy, DVT prevention for travel |
| Class II | 20–30 mmHg | Most commonly prescribed; moderate CVI, post-surgical, DVT prevention |
| Class III | 30–40 mmHg | Severe CVI, severe varicose veins, moderate lymphedema, venous ulcers |
| Class IV | 40–50+ mmHg | Severe lymphedema (physician supervision) |
Our Fitting Process
Proper fitting is essential—compression stockings that don’t fit correctly won’t provide the intended benefits and may cause problems. Our fitting process includes:
- Measurement timing: Ideally in the morning before swelling develops
- Multiple measurements: Ankle, calf, and thigh circumferences at specific points
- Length measurements: To determine appropriate stocking length
- Style selection: Knee-high, thigh-high, or pantyhose based on your needs
- Education: How to put on, care for, and recognize problems with your stockings
Insurance Coverage
Most extended health insurance plans cover custom orthotics, custom braces, and compression stockings when medically necessary and prescribed by an authorized healthcare provider.
- Prescription requirements: Most plans require a prescription from a physician specifying the diagnosis and medical necessity
- Coverage amounts: Varies by plan—some cover a percentage, others have dollar limits per item or per year
- Replacement frequency: Orthotics typically every 12–24 months; braces every 2–5 years; compression stockings typically 2–4 pairs per year
- Direct billing: We can bill many insurance companies directly
- Tax deductible: These are eligible medical expenses for Canadian income tax purposes
We provide all documentation required for insurance claims and can help you understand your coverage before ordering.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a prescription for these products?
For insurance coverage, typically yes. Most plans require a prescription from a physician specifying the diagnosis and need. Even without insurance requirements, having a proper diagnosis ensures you get the right product. We can assess your condition and coordinate with your physician for a prescription if needed.
How are custom products different from what I can buy at a pharmacy?
Custom products are made specifically for your body based on precise measurements and clinical assessment. Off-the-shelf products come in generic sizes and provide generic support. For minor issues, off-the-shelf may be adequate. For significant conditions, chronic problems, or when precise fit and function matter, custom products provide superior outcomes.
How long does it take to get a custom orthotic or brace?
After assessment and measurements, manufacturing typically takes 1–3 weeks depending on the product and manufacturer. Compression stockings can often be fitted and dispensed the same day if standard sizes fit, or ordered for delivery within a week for custom sizes.
How long do these products last?
Custom orthotics typically last 1–5 years depending on type (rigid last longer, soft/accommodative compress over time). Custom braces last 2–5+ years. Compression stockings should be replaced every 3–6 months with daily wear, as they lose their compression over time.
Will my orthotic fit in all my shoes?
Orthotics are designed for specific types of footwear. A full-length orthotic fits differently than a ¾-length orthotic. We’ll discuss your footwear needs during assessment. Some people need multiple orthotics for different activities—work shoes, athletic shoes, dress shoes, etc.
Can I wear compression stockings during exercise?
Yes! Many athletes wear sports compression garments during training and competition. Medical compression stockings can also be worn during exercise. Some people find them helpful for reducing leg fatigue during physical activity.
How do I know if my brace fits correctly?
A properly fitted brace should feel secure without being uncomfortably tight. There should be no pinching, rubbing, or pressure points. You shouldn’t experience numbness, tingling, or colour changes. If anything doesn’t feel right, contact us for adjustment—don’t try to force a brace that doesn’t fit.
Do compression stockings need to be worn all day?
For most conditions, compression stockings are worn during waking hours and removed for sleeping. Put them on first thing in the morning before swelling develops. Some conditions may have specific wearing schedules—we’ll advise based on your situation.
What if my custom product doesn’t feel right?
Adjustments are normal and expected. Orthotics can be modified with grinding, padding, or posting. Braces can have straps adjusted, padding added, or shells modified. Compression stockings may need different sizing. Contact us for follow-up if something doesn’t feel right—most issues can be resolved.
Can I return a custom product if it doesn’t work?
Because custom products are made specifically for you, they typically cannot be returned like off-the-shelf items. However, we stand behind our work—if your product doesn’t fit properly or function as intended, we’ll make adjustments. This is why proper assessment and fitting are so important from the start.
Will I become dependent on these supports?
These products are tools, not crutches. They support healing and function but don’t replace the need for rehabilitation. For temporary conditions (post-surgical, acute injury), you may be able to discontinue use as you heal. For chronic conditions (arthritis, chronic instability, venous insufficiency), long-term use may be appropriate and beneficial.
How do I care for these products?
Orthotics should be allowed to air out and can be wiped clean; avoid extreme heat. Braces should be cleaned according to manufacturer instructions—typically wiping the shell and washing soft liners. Compression stockings should be washed daily or every other day, hand-washed or gentle cycle, air-dried—never put in the dryer.
Get Professional Fitting and Assessment
The right supportive device, properly fitted, can make a significant difference in your recovery and quality of life. At Midas Physiotherapy in Oakville, we provide expert assessment, quality products from leading manufacturers, and the clinical expertise to integrate these devices into comprehensive care.
Midas Physiotherapy
2061 Cornwall Road, Unit 3
Oakville, Ontario
Website: midasphysiotherapy.ca
Most extended health insurance plans cover these products with a prescription. Direct billing available.
Related Services
- Physiotherapy
- Biomechanical Assessment
- Post-Surgical Rehabilitation
- Sports Injury Treatment
- Knee Osteoarthritis Treatment
- Plantar Fasciitis Treatment
