New system offers foot relief faster

Local pedorthist helps develop device to deliver custom orthotics while you wait

Clockwise from top left, DeWitt Paul, owner of Foot Solutions at 2980 St. Rose Parkway, places a push-pin mold of a foot into the Varifit Orthotics Fabrication system at his store. Paul worked with engineers to develop the system, which makes custom orthotics in about 30 minutes. Paul makes a few adjustments on the computer during the fabrication process. Paul places a sheet of semirigid plastic over the push-pin foot mold. The plastic is molded into a custom orthotic shoe insert. Paul uses a foot bone model to demonstrate a completed orthotic.Photos by Lauren Romano/VIEW Clockwise from top left, DeWitt Paul, owner of Foot Solutions at 2980 St. Rose Parkway, places a push-pin mold of a foot into the Varifit Orthotics Fabrication system at his store. Paul worked with engineers to develop the system, which makes custom orthotics in about 30 minutes. Paul makes a few adjustments on the computer during the fabrication process. Paul places a sheet of semirigid plastic over the push-pin foot mold. The plastic is molded into a custom orthotic shoe insert. Paul uses a foot bone model to demonstrate a completed orthotic.Photos by Lauren Romano/VIEW Clockwise from top left, DeWitt Paul, owner of Foot Solutions at 2980 St. Rose Parkway, places a push-pin mold of a foot into the Varifit Orthotics Fabrication system at his store. Paul worked with engineers to develop the system, which makes custom orthotics in about 30 minutes. Paul makes a few adjustments on the computer during the fabrication process. Paul places a sheet of semirigid plastic over the push-pin foot mold. The plastic is molded into a custom orthotic shoe insert. Paul uses a foot bone model to demonstrate a completed orthotic.Photos by Lauren Romano/VIEW Advertisement

We're all so used to getting things instantly. Photos, food and eyeglasses can all be made fast.

But until recently, custom-made orthotics could take up to a month to get from a lab to a patient.

DeWitt Paul, owner of Foot Solutions and a certified pedorthist, worked with engineers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Brigham Young University and the aerospace industry, with extensive input from professionals such as podiatrists, physical therapists, chiropractors and certified pedorthists, to develop the Varafit Orthotic Fabrication system, which makes custom orthotics while you wait.

Custom orthotics are an insert in the bottom of the shoe that supports bone, muscle and tendon functions.

The idea started with Paul's cousin Brent Johnson and his wife, Leslie. They came up with the idea of 30-minute custom orthotics when their son, Jacob, who has cerebral palsy, needed to have special orthopedic shoes made.

"The experience was frustrating and took much longer than we thought it should," Brent Johnson said. "That's when we started thinking about ways to shorten and improve the process."

In the past, making an orthotic would take several visits to a doctor, plaster or foam casting, waiting weeks for the orthotics to come from a centralized lab, various adjustments to the new orthotics, and in some cases, repeating the entire process. Varafit makes it possible to do everything in one place.

"People find that when they wear orthotics, they can be on their feet a lot longer," Paul said.

Custom orthotics can decrease foot pain, as well as pain in the knees, hips and back.

Kevan Orvitz, a podiatrist and owner of MegaComfort who has been working on Varafit as a consultant, said there is a big difference between over-the-counter and custom orthotics.

"If something is made out of softer material, it doesn't matter that it's custom made," Orvitz said. "Body weight will change shape anyway."

Orvitz said the orthotics need to be made out of semirigid plastic.

"Varafit uses the exact same material from the lab, or better," Orvitz said.

"A biomechanical, custom-made orthotic in five to 10 minutes has been unheard of," Orvitz said. "It's going to revolutionize the industry."

The Varafit system is available to foot-care professionals, and Paul said he already has sold about 20 machines.

Foot Solutions in Henderson, 2980 St. Rose Parkway, Suite 130, is the only local store to own the machine so far.

A pair of Varafit orthotics are about $350, a little less than in doctors' offices, Paul said.

The Foot Solutions located in the Summerlin area at 2249 N. Rampart Blvd. has the equipment to make the mold of a foot. The orthotic is made at the Henderson location.

Paul said customers can pick up the orthotic within the hour across town or wait until the next day and stay close to home.

Contact Henderson View reporter Lauren Romano at lromano@viewnews.com or 477-3839.