Orthotic adjustment covers altering footwear to work with orthotics or to correct a difference between feet — adding depth, raising a sole, or balancing a pair.

What a cobbler can and cannot do

A cobbler adjusts the shoe. They can remove a factory insole to make room for an orthotic, open up the volume of an upper, add a lift to one shoe of a pair, or build up a sole to correct a leg-length difference.

What they do not do is prescribe. The orthotic itself, and the decision about what your feet need, is a podiatrist's job.

Bring both

Always take the pair and the orthotics together. Depth, balance and the way the shoe sits once the device is inside all have to be judged as one thing.

Very few shops list this, so call ahead — and mention the orthotic on the phone.