One stubborn pressure spot. A more personal approach.

Sometimes, it's not the entire shoe or orthotic causing discomfort. It's one small spot that refuses to cooperate.

You might feel comfortable walking, standing, or going about your day until that familiar pressure returns. Suddenly, it's the only thing you can think about.

That's where a personalized approach to foot comfort matters.

In this edition of Workshop Live, Tony at Chiappetta Shoes takes us behind the scenes of a custom orthotic adjustment for a longtime customer experiencing recurring irritation along the outside of her right foot.

Her situation highlights something important: even your own two feet don't always need the same solution.

At Chiappetta Shoes in Kenosha, Wisconsin, we believe finding the right fit starts with understanding the person wearing the shoes.

The customer had been wearing custom orthotics for years, but one area continued to cause discomfort.

Her left foot felt comfortable. Her right foot was a different story.

The irritation was concentrated near the base of the fifth metatarsal, the long bone along the outside of the foot that connects toward the little toe.

This area can become sensitive when pressure and friction repeatedly affect the same spot.

In this customer's case, she had a history of a deep corn and recurring irritation near that bone.

During the assessment, the team observed that her heel appeared relatively stable, while the front portion of her foot showed more spreading and rotation during movement.

Rather than treating both feet identically, Tony focused on what was happening specifically with the right foot.

The goal wasn't to change everything. It was to address the area that needed attention.

Custom orthotics aren't always a one-and-done process.

Feet, footwear, and comfort needs can change over time. Sometimes, an existing orthotic needs a targeted modification rather than a completely new design.

For this customer, Tony made three specific adjustments to the right orthotic.

First, Tony created a shallow relief pocket near the sensitive fifth metatarsal area.

This modification was designed to create additional space around the pressure point while preserving cushioning underneath.

Instead of removing all the supporting material, he carefully adjusted the existing orthotic to accommodate the irritated area.

Next, Tony added a longitudinal arch bar.

This adjustment was intended to refine support along the arch and help manage how the foot interacts with the orthotic.

The material was carefully shaped and tapered to blend into the existing insert.

Finally, Tony added a cuboid bar behind the sensitive area.

The cuboid is a bone on the outer side of the midfoot. This modification was intended to provide support nearby without placing additional material directly beneath the irritated spot.

Together, these changes aimed to create room where pressure was a concern while maintaining support around it.

It's a small adjustment with a very specific purpose: making the orthotic better suited to the customer's individual foot.

Here's something worth remembering: your feet are a pair, but they aren't necessarily identical.

Differences in foot structure, movement, pressure, and comfort can mean each foot benefits from a different approach.

That's exactly what happened in this Workshop Live episode.

While the right orthotic received a relief pocket, longitudinal arch bar, and cuboid bar, the left orthotic required much less modification.

Tony added a longitudinal arch bar to the left side to provide a more consistent feel between the two orthotics.

However, he did not add the same relief pocket or cuboid bar because the left foot wasn't experiencing the same irritation.

The existing forefoot accommodations on that side were already comfortable.

The takeaway? Personalized orthotic adjustments should respond to each foot's needs, not simply mirror the same changes on both sides.

The video documents the modifications themselves, not the customer's long-term results. A follow-up is important to determine whether the adjustments achieve the intended comfort.

Even if you've worn custom orthotics for years, changes in comfort may be worth discussing with a fitting professional.

Some reasons to have your orthotics evaluated include:

• A recurring pressure spot or area of rubbing

• Discomfort that develops in one foot but not the other

• An insert that feels different in a particular pair of shoes

• Visible wear or changes in the orthotic materials

• Changes in your activity level or daily footwear

• Discomfort that returns after previously feeling comfortable

Not every concern requires a new pair of orthotics. Sometimes, evaluating your current inserts and footwear can help identify whether a modification is appropriate.

Persistent or worsening pain, wounds, or significant skin irritation should also be assessed by an appropriate healthcare professional.

At Chiappetta Shoes, we believe the details matter.

Our approach to custom orthotics and professional shoe fitting in Kenosha begins with understanding how your feet, shoes, and inserts work together.

If you're experiencing a recurring pressure point, we recommend bringing your current orthotics and the shoes you wear most often.

Be ready to share where the irritation occurs, when you notice it, and whether certain activities or shoes make it worse.

These details help our team evaluate your current fit before recommending an adjustment or another footwear solution.

EXPLORE OUR CUSTOM ORTHOTICS & PEDORTHIC SERVICES

Not every customer needs the same type of foot support.

For some people, an over-the-counter insole may be worth considering.

One option available through Chiappetta Shoes is the Prothotic Pressure Relief Insole, which offers a different approach from the custom modifications shown in this workshop.

Our team can help you explore whether an over-the-counter insert or a personalized orthotic solution is appropriate for your needs.

EXPLORE PROTHOTIC PRESSURE RELIEF INSOLES

The fitting process doesn't necessarily end when an orthotic adjustment is complete.

For this customer, the team recommended a follow-up after approximately two weeks and another around six months.

These visits provide an opportunity to discuss comfort, inspect the orthotic materials, and determine whether additional modifications are needed.

Because the Workshop Live recording doesn't show how the customer felt after extended wear, these check-ins are especially important.

The goal is to evaluate how the adjustments perform during everyday use, not just how they look on the workbench.

Sometimes, the smallest details make the biggest difference in how footwear feels.

For this customer, the focus wasn't on starting over. It was on understanding one stubborn pressure point and making thoughtful adjustments to her existing orthotics.

That's the kind of individualized attention we believe in at Chiappetta Shoes.

Whether you're dealing with recurring discomfort, exploring custom orthotics, or simply looking for shoes that better suit your feet, our team is here to help you find your fit.

Experiencing a stubborn pressure spot? Let's take a closer look.

EXPLORE FOOT ASSESSMENTS & PEDORTHIC SERVICES

Ain’t No Betta Than Chiappetta.