A Patient’s Guide to Finding a Great Orthotist

Starting your orthosis journey can leave you with many questions. The most important one of which is how do I find a great Orthotist? 

Although it may be convenient to go to the nearest or cheapest one, you should take your time to consider other factors before choosing your Orthotist. Such as how well they can understand your needs or how proficient they are at providing your specific treatment. 

There are some steps you can take to narrow down the list of Orthotists in your area. But eventually, you’ll have to visit a few Orthotists before committing to one. 

Here’re nine things to consider when looking for an Orthotist. 

1. Ask for Referrals
You should ask your trusted primary care physician which Orthotist they recommend. Word of mouth and online reviews on the clinic’s website, including yelp reviews, are also helpful in choosing an orthotic clinic.

Patients going through a similar situation as yours can give you insight into your particular situation based on their experiences. 

If there isn’t enough information available online about your clinician, then don’t worry. Many other factors will help you find a great Orthotist. ​

2. A Professional Setup 
Your Orthotist must have a proper office with all the necessary equipment. Waiting on your braces or facing delays because your Orthotist doesn’t have the setup to make your orthosis will be very irritating and disruptive to your recovery. 

An Orthotist who is professionally connected to others in the industry will provide you with easier access to specialist consultation outside of their field. 

3. Compassionate 
Your Orthotist should be compassionate and kind.  It’s easy to get desensitized to the pain of the patients and their feelings when you see them every day. But a great Orthotist is the one who can always empathize with you and offer you comfort when you need it. 

Your Orthotists’ good bedside manners will go a long way in helping you deal with the anxiety of orthosis fittings. 

4. Knowledgeable and Experienced
Competence and skill are essential qualities you should check in an Orthotist. Get a confirmation that your doctor has the proper license to practice. 

Usually, the clinics will tell you about the degrees and licenses of your Orthotists, so be sure to check their website or online profiles for your peace of mind. 

If an Orthotist regularly participates in research and conferences, then that’s a great sign because it means that he or she stays up-to-date with the advancements in the field.   

5. Friendly and Nurturing 
If you’re looking for an Orthotist for your kids, then this point becomes especially significant. Children have a hard enough time as it is dealing with orthosis, so having a doctor who’s kind and friendly to them will be a major advantage. 

6. A Good Communicator
You need an Orthotist who’s attentive to your needs and personal preferences. When you leave the clinic, all your questions should’ve been answered, and only an Orthotist who’s a good listener can do that for you. 

There’ll be questions that don’t even occur to you. 

A good Orthotist is proactive and will tell you about all the self-care processes and other precautions you need to take with your orthosis without you having to ask them. 

7. Portfolio of Similar Patients
The perfect Orthotist for you is the one who’s previously dealt with conditions similar to yours.  Some things come with experience, and an Orthotist with a background in your condition will be best equipped to treat it. 

If your Orthotist has an entire portfolio to show you with testimonials of satisfied patients, then that’s an excellent indicator that you’ve found a great Orthotist. 

He or she should also match your preferred treatment method. For example, if you prefer to cover your bases and do many tests in each visit, your Orthotist should understand that and be on the same page as you.  

Or if you appreciate an explanation for each new treatment method used, then your Orthotist should provide you with it. 

8. Cost Management
Since cost will play a central part in your orthotic journey, you need to find an Orthotist who’s in-network, which means that your insurance covers your visits with the Orthotist and the cost of the prescribed orthosis. 

Or, if you’re paying out of pocket and insurance is not a concern, check how many visits the entire process will take. And assess if their fees match the services they provide as compared to other clinics in your area. 

9. Give Them a Visit
Even after you gather all the data, such as license information, insurance coverage, referrals, and testimonials, you can’t make your decision unless you visit the clinic and get a feel for the place. 

You’ll likely have to visit your Orthotist quite a few times, so you need to feel comfortable at the clinic. 

Schedule a consultation and visit them to see for yourself what the clinic is like. You can also meet other patients there who might share their experiences with the Orthotist you’re considering.

Final Words 
Sometimes you can’t check off each item listed above, but you should spare no effort to match as many of these qualities as possible.

​The Orthotists at Align Clinic is some of the best in the field. And each one has the proper qualifications and experience to practice.

We operate clinics in three cities, including California and Texas. Reach out to us to book a consultation, and you’ll receive outstanding care from our special orthotics team at each of our locations!