3D Foot Scan in Vancouver
A 3D digital foot scan creates a detailed three-dimensional representation of your feet. At Vancouver Orthotics, 3D foot scanning is used as part of the foot assessment and custom orthotic process with Dr. Michael Horowitz & Associates.
The scan provides digital information about the shape and contours of your feet that can be considered together with your clinical examination, foot biomechanics, symptoms, footwear and activity needs.
Vancouver Orthotics uses 3D digital foot scanning at our clinic locations. The specific scanning technology may vary by location, but the purpose is the same: to provide detailed digital information about your feet when assessing and prescribing custom orthotics.
What Is a 3D Foot Scan?
A 3D foot scan digitally captures the three-dimensional shape of the foot. Unlike a traditional two-dimensional footprint, a 3D scan records the contours and shape of the foot to create a digital representation that can be used during the custom orthotic process.
The scan is one component of the overall assessment. It does not diagnose a foot condition by itself and should be interpreted together with the findings from your clinical and biomechanical examination.
How Is a 3D Foot Scan Used for Custom Orthotics?
When custom orthotics are prescribed, the shape of your feet is one of several pieces of information used to develop your individual orthotic prescription.
A 3D digital foot scan captures a three-dimensional representation of each foot. The digital scan can then be used as part of the information provided for the design and manufacture of your custom orthotics.
However, a foot scan by itself does not determine your orthotic prescription. Dr. Michael Horowitz & Associates consider the scan together with findings from your clinical and biomechanical assessment, your symptoms, footwear, activities and individual needs.
What Does a 3D Foot Scan Measure?
A 3D foot scan captures the shape and contours of the feet in three dimensions. Depending on the scanning system being used, the digital image can provide information about features such as the heel, arch and overall shape of the foot.
Because Vancouver Orthotics clinics may use different 3D scanning systems, the specific technology and measurements available can vary by location.
The important distinction is that a 3D foot scan provides information about the three-dimensional shape of your feet. It is not, by itself, a diagnosis and it does not replace a clinical examination.
3D Foot Scan vs. Electronic Gait Scan
A 3D foot scan and an electronic gait scan are different assessments that provide different types of information about your feet.
3D Foot Scan
A 3D digital foot scan captures the three-dimensional shape and contours of your feet. When custom orthotics are prescribed, this digital information can form part of the custom orthotic design and manufacturing process.
2D Electronic Walking Gait Scan
An electronic gait scan evaluates aspects of how your feet function while walking. At select Vancouver Orthotics locations, patients walk across a 2D digital scanning platform that records information as the feet interact with the surface.
The electronic walking gait scan is currently available at our Head Office, Victoria and Coquitlam/Tri-Cities locations. Technology and services may vary by clinic, so please confirm availability when booking if you specifically require an electronic gait scan.
Neither assessment should be considered in isolation. Your clinical examination, symptoms, foot structure, biomechanics, footwear and activity needs all contribute to the overall assessment.
Learn more about gait analysis and electronic walking gait scanning at Vancouver Orthotics.
What to Expect During a 3D Foot Scan
A 3D foot scan is a quick, non-invasive part of the custom orthotic assessment process. There are no needles or X-rays, and the scan itself does not cause pain.
The exact scanning procedure may vary slightly depending on the 3D scanning system used at your clinic location.
1. Foot & Biomechanical Assessment
Before or alongside digital scanning, your practitioner will review your symptoms, relevant history, footwear and activity needs and assess your feet and lower-extremity biomechanics as appropriate.
2. 3D Digital Foot Scan
Your feet are digitally scanned to create a three-dimensional representation of their shape and contours. The scan can be viewed electronically and becomes part of the information used during the custom orthotic process.
3. Review of Your Assessment
The 3D scan is considered together with the findings from your clinical and biomechanical assessment. Your practitioner can discuss the findings with you and determine whether custom orthotics may be appropriate.
4. Custom Orthotic Prescription
If custom orthotics are prescribed, information from your assessment and 3D foot scan is used as part of developing an individualized orthotic prescription based on your feet, footwear, activities and clinical needs.
Do I Need to Prepare for a 3D Foot Scan?
No special preparation is usually required. We recommend bringing the footwear you wear most often, particularly the shoes you expect to use with your custom orthotics.
If you already wear custom orthotics or other shoe inserts, bring them to your appointment so they can be reviewed as part of your assessment.
3D Foot Scanning and Insurance Coverage
Many extended health benefit plans provide some level of coverage for custom orthotics, but coverage requirements vary between insurance companies and individual plans.
An insurer may have specific requirements regarding the clinical examination, prescription, practitioner qualifications, casting or scanning method, laboratory documentation and other information submitted with a custom orthotics claim.
A 3D digital foot scan may form part of the custom orthotic assessment and manufacturing process, but having a 3D scan does not by itself guarantee that your custom orthotics will be covered or reimbursed by your insurance plan.
Before ordering custom orthotics, we recommend contacting your insurance provider directly to confirm:
- Whether custom orthotics are covered under your plan
- Your coverage amount and replacement frequency
- Who is permitted to prescribe or dispense the orthotics under your plan
- What examination, prescription or supporting documentation is required
- Whether your plan has specific casting or digital scanning requirements
If your insurance company has provided written requirements for your custom orthotics claim, bring them with you to your appointment so they can be reviewed.
3D Foot Scan FAQ
What is a 3D foot scan?
A 3D foot scan creates a digital three-dimensional representation of the shape and contours of your feet. At Vancouver Orthotics, 3D scanning is used as one component of the foot assessment and custom orthotic process.
Is a 3D foot scan the same as a gait analysis?
No. A 3D foot scan captures the three-dimensional shape of the feet, while gait analysis evaluates aspects of how the feet and lower extremities function during movement. The two assessments provide different information and may be used together when appropriate. Learn more about gait analysis in Vancouver.
Do I need a 3D foot scan for custom orthotics?
3D digital foot scanning is used as part of the custom orthotic process at Vancouver Orthotics. The scan provides information about the shape of your feet, while your orthotic prescription also considers the findings from your clinical and biomechanical assessment, symptoms, footwear, activities and individual needs.
Does a 3D foot scanner diagnose foot problems?
No. A 3D foot scan provides information about the shape and contours of the feet but does not diagnose a foot condition by itself. Your scan needs to be considered together with your history and clinical examination.
Is a 3D foot scan painful?
No. 3D digital foot scanning is non-invasive and does not involve needles or X-rays. The exact scanning procedure may vary depending on the system used at your clinic location.
Do all Vancouver Orthotics clinics use the same 3D foot scanner?
No. Different Vancouver Orthotics clinic locations may use different 3D digital scanning systems. The specific technology can vary by location while serving the same general purpose of capturing a three-dimensional digital representation of the feet for the assessment and custom orthotic process.
Is a 3D foot scan covered by insurance?
Insurance coverage generally relates to the custom orthotics and the requirements of your individual benefit plan rather than simply whether a 3D scan is performed. Coverage, documentation and scanning or casting requirements vary, so patients should confirm their plan requirements directly with their insurance provider.
3D Foot Scanning at Vancouver Orthotics
Dr. Michael Horowitz & Associates use 3D digital foot scanning as part of the custom orthotic assessment and prescription process at Vancouver Orthotics.
Appointments are available at multiple clinic locations throughout Vancouver and the Greater Vancouver area. Because scanning equipment and services may vary by clinic, please confirm any specific requirements when booking your appointment.
Information on this page is provided for general educational purposes and is not a substitute for an individual clinical assessment or medical diagnosis.
