Stepping Into Comfort: How Custom Orthotics Helped a Business Owner Overcome Chronic Foot Pain

Tony Pagliaroli has always embraced an active lifestyle—racing motorcycles, hiking, and taking his dogs for long walks. But two years ago, as the new owner of Scott Powersports in Coopersburg, he found himself spending countless hours on his shop’s unforgiving concrete floors. His feet began to protest.

By the time Tony turned 55, persistent foot pain had become a daily struggle. He tried everything: foot massages, stretching, rest, icing, and even switching between high-end athletic shoes multiple times. Nothing provided lasting relief.

Then came a turning point. Dr. Eric Bronfenbrenner of St. Luke’s Podiatry recognized the strain Tony’s tendons were under and suggested a specialized approach. “Tony came into my office with chronic tendonitis,” Dr. Bronfenbrenner recalls. “During the exam I noticed restrictive movement in his rearfoot, likely contributing to the discomfort. The initial treatment often involves an orthotic to compensate for this deformity.”

Enter Elizabeth “Liz” Scifers, DPT, a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopedic & Sports Physical Therapy and program manager for foot and ankle care at Physical Therapy at St. Luke’s.

“I carefully analyzed Tony’s foot mechanics and designed a custom orthotic with a lateral post—built up on the outside—to correct his foot position,” says Scifers, “a simple yet precise solution, tailored to his unique needs.

The results? Immediate and transformative.

“The orthotics Liz hooked me up with have been life-changing,” Tony says. “I work on concrete all day, at least 60 hours per week, and she, along with Dr. Eric Bronfenbrenner, completely resolved my issues. I can’t say enough good things about either of them.”

To ensure continued relief, Tony leaves his shoes—equipped with his custom orthotics—at the shop, so he’s never without them during work.

“The pain was so bad, I thought I would have to sell the business. Now, with the orthotics, I have no pain. Liz knocked it out of the park.”

For Tony, relief wasn’t just about eliminating discomfort—it was about reclaiming his quality of life. His business, his passion, and his ability to move freely were no longer limited by chronic pain. Thanks to the expertise of his team at St. Luke’s, he can continue doing what he loves without his feet holding him back.