Clinician FAQ
Everything you need before your first order
The essentials
How long do Réalta orthotics take to make?
7-10 working days from receipt of a complete scan and prescription. Every device is designed individually, never templated, which takes a little longer than a stock-shell lab but is worth it. Express turnaround is available by arrangement.
What scans do you accept?
Digital 3D foot scans only. The Réalta 3D scanning app is our preferred method, and we also accept .stl, .obj and .ply files from any recognised foot scanner. We do not accept foam impression boxes or plaster casts.
What are the orthotics made from?
Every shell is printed in PA11 bio-based nylon (Nylon 11) on a Formlabs Fuse 1+ selective laser sintering (SLS) printer. PA11 is derived from castor beans, has high fatigue resistance and stays consistent pair after pair.
Are postings and heel raises glued on?
No. Rearfoot and forefoot posts, heel posts and heel raises are designed into the shell and printed as one part. Nothing to peel, compress or detach over time. Top covers and pads are then added by hand on the bench.
Who can order from Réalta Labs?
HCPC and CORU registered podiatrists, physiotherapists and MSK clinicians in the UK and Ireland. We supply clinics on a partner account basis. Patients should ask their clinician to prescribe Réalta orthotics.
Can I reorder a duplicate pair?
Yes. Scans and prescriptions are stored on file, so a duplicate or a pair for different footwear can be ordered without re-scanning unless the clinician advises otherwise.
Ordering and accounts
How do I open a partner account?
Complete the partner form on the For Clinics page. We set up your clinic account, send the price list and walk you through your first order.
What are the payment terms?
Partner clinics are invoiced per order with payment due 30 days from the invoice date. Prices are per pair and VAT is applied where applicable.
Do you supply the Republic of Ireland?
Yes. We supply clinics in Northern Ireland, Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland, with pricing in GBP and EUR.
Can I get a remake from a previous prescription?
Yes. Reprints are made from the file we already hold, so there is no need to re-scan. Refurbishment, a new top cover and a shell polish, is also available for a sound device.
What if the shell needs changing after it is made?
We read every prescription before printing and will call you if anything looks inconsistent. Shell changes requested after production are charged to the clinic, so please double-check the scan, prescription and cover spec before you submit. PA11 shells are never heat-adjusted; a change means a reprint.
Is express turnaround available?
Priority production and dispatch is available by arrangement. Please confirm the slot with the lab before ordering.
Material and manufacturing
Why SLS rather than milled or vacuum-formed polypropylene?
Selective laser sintering builds the shell directly from the digital design, so thickness, flex zones, posts and cut-outs are exactly where they were designed. There is no heat-forming step to introduce thinning or springback, and every reprint matches the original.
How durable are PA11 shells?
PA11 (Nylon 11) has high fatigue resistance and impact strength, which is why it is widely used in sports equipment and industrial parts that flex repeatedly. With normal use the shell outlasts its top cover, which can be replaced through refurbishment.
Can the shells be heat-moulded in clinic?
No. PA11 shells should not be heat-adjusted. If the shape needs to change, we reprint from the updated design so the device stays accurate.
Prescribe it. We print it exactly.
Open a partner account and send your first scan. Individually designed shells, dispatched in 7-10 working days, with a podiatrist on the other end of every query.