Questions from practitioners

We manufacture custom orthotics in three types: EVA, Polystone and 3D printed EnviroPoly.

Every device is made to the prescribing practitioner’s prescription in our lab in Port Lincoln, South Australia, and designed by our clinical team, who are podiatrists themselves.

In general terms, each material suits different needs:

• EVA is a foam material milled to shape, often chosen where cushioning and comfort are the priority.
• Polystone is a firmer polypropylene shell, generally used where more control and durability are wanted.
• EnviroPoly is our 3D printed option, produced from a digital design for precise, repeatable geometry.

The right choice depends on the patient, their presentation, footwear and activity, and it’s a clinical decision for the prescribing practitioner. Our podiatry team is always happy to talk through the options for a case.

Custom orthotics are commonly prescribed as part of managing a wide range of lower-limb musculoskeletal presentations, for patients ranging from sports and performance to paediatric, complex biomechanical and high-risk diabetic cases.

Whether orthotics are suitable for a particular patient, and what they’re intended to achieve, is decided by the prescribing clinician. We manufacture to your prescription and can discuss design options with you, but we don’t assess or advise patients directly.

Get in touch through our contact page and choose ‘New account’ as your enquiry type. Tell us a little about your clinic and who will be ordering, and our team will set up your account and explain how to send your first order.

Once your account is set up, send us:

1. Your prescription, plus any clinical notes that will help us design the device
2. A 3D scan, cast or foam box impression
3. A clinic or order reference so we can match everything up

Our clinical team reviews each prescription and will contact you if anything needs clarifying. An online ordering portal is coming soon to make this simpler.

Yes. You can capture foot scans with our free PODCAD Industries app for iOS, or send scans from the scanner you already use. Let us know which scanner you use when you open your account and we’ll confirm the file formats we accept.

Yes. Traditional impressions are welcome. Send your casts or foam boxes to our Port Lincoln lab with your prescription, clearly labelled with your clinic and order reference.

Before you send your first impressions, contact us and we’ll confirm the postal address and anything else we need.

No. PODCAD works with practitioners. We manufacture orthotics to the prescription of a podiatrist or other treating clinician, and we don’t assess, prescribe for or supply patients directly.

If you’re a patient interested in custom orthotics, please speak with your podiatrist, who is welcome to get in touch with us.

Our turnaround is typically 7–10 business days from when we receive a complete order.

If we need to clarify anything in the prescription we’ll be in touch, and that can add a little time. Delivery time then depends on where your clinic is located.

Yes. We supply clinics right across Australia from our lab in Port Lincoln, South Australia. International shipping is also available, so contact us to discuss delivery to your country.

Yes. If faults are found at the initial review, we’ll replace the orthotics free of charge within four weeks of the original dispense date.

If a device needs adjusting for another reason, or you’re not sure whether something is covered, contact us with the order details and we’ll work through it with you.

Yes. Our design team are podiatrists, and they’re available to talk through prescriptions, material and design choices, or a challenging case. Get in touch and we’ll arrange a time to speak.