WHY YOU MAY NEED ORTHOTIC SUPPORT

As you walk, your heel swings from side to side very slightly, like the pendulum on a clock.

If your heel swings too far when you walk or run, your foot may be overpronating or flattening too much. This incorrect movement stresses and weakens parts of your foot.

Over time, you may develop symptoms in your feet, ranging from a change in shape to pain when you walk.

Custom foot orthoses, orthopedic footwear, or modifications may be helpful for specific medical situations, but it’s probably only truly reliable for a condition: painful pes cavus (high arches).

Custom-made orthotics are medical devices that support and gently reposition the heel, arch, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and bones in the feet, enabling these structures to work together as nature intended to make each step you take pain-free.

Orthoses or Orthotics are inserts that fit inside your shoes. They usually give the foot or the arch some additional support.

They can also help relieve knee, hip, and backache problems. They can help to resolve recurring sports injuries, and in children, they can help with structural and postural developmental problems.

Unlike shoe inserts bought over the counter, however, custom-made orthotics are built from molds of your feet to meet your unique needs.

They’re typically made with comfortable thermoplastic materials, guaranteed to last for years and can be designed to fit in dress shoes, athletic shoes, boots, and skates.

WHO WILL BENEFIT THE MOST FROM CUSTOM ORTHOTICS?
Custom-made orthotics can relieve many different kinds of foot pain, including heel pain and plantar fasciitis; arch pain; pain caused by running, walking, and other athletics; pain related to diabetes; pain experienced by senior citizens; and many other kinds of foot pain related to bunions, trauma, sprains, and other disorders.

Heel pain sufferers

Heel spurs and plantar fasciitis (ligament inflammation on the bottom of the foot, which attaches to the heel and maintains our arch) are the most common causes of heel pain.

These problems usually occur in pronated feet (feet that roll inward, breaking down the inner sides of shoes). Pronation forces the heel to strike the ground abnormally and places abnormal stress on the heel and plantar fascia, which causes pain that will become progressively worse.

Your pain may occur only when first standing and then disappearing; it may occur at irregular or constant intervals.

In any case, be assured it will become worse without custom-made orthotics.

The custom-made orthotic is constructed to: allow the heel to strike the ground correctly by eliminating pronation, cushioning the heel, and supporting the arch.

Custom-made orthotics are the first and most successful line of treatment podiatrists use for these problems.

Arch pain sufferers

The usual causes of arch pain are flat feet, very high arches, prolonged standing, walking, and running, injury, and the natural aging process.

By gently supporting the arch and accommodating existing problems, custom-made orthotics accomplish three things:

1. The pain disappears.
2. The arch will drop no further, thus preventing further foot problems.
3. The effects of aging on the feet are slowed, preventing other problems such as arthritic foot pain and fatigue due to walking and preventing bunions and hammertoes from worsening.

Pain caused by running, walking, and other athletics

It is no coincidence that many professional athletes use custom-made orthotics.

Custom-made orthotics keep the foot in its most efficient alignment, allowing the bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments to work at 100% efficiency.

They also protect the heel, arch, and forefoot from the unnatural and increased stress that prolonged running and sports activity produce.

Whether it is to prevent problems, relieve pain, or increase efficiency, all runners and other athletes benefit from custom-made orthotics.

Pain-related to Diabetes

Due to a thinning of the protective fatty pad on the bottom of the foot, circulatory problems, and decreased feeling (neuropathy), diabetics encounter more severe foot problems than non-diabetics.

Pressure sores, chronic painful areas, and ulcers are best treated with supportive custom-made orthotics featuring modern materials that can eliminate pain, shield and protect painful areas, and decrease the chance of ulcerations.

Podiatrists and diabetic specialists use custom-made orthotics to help reduce the increasing number of lower extremity amputations each year by preventing simple problems from becoming more serious.

Pain experienced by senior citizens

The aging process affects the feet and ankles just like every other part of the body.

The muscles, tendons, and ligaments become loose and weaker; bones lose calcium reducing their strength; and the fatty pads on the bottoms of our feet, which protect and cushion the bones, become thinner and can nearly disappear.

Custom-made orthotics will gently support the bones of the feet; special materials used can mimic the foot’s natural fatty pad and eliminate the pain of protruding bones and bone spurs.

Custom-made orthotics will also support the arch and keep it from falling, thus preventing other problems and pains.

And they can keep the foot from turning and twisting while walking, making each step secure and pain-free.

Last update on 2024-05-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Why You May Need Orthotic Support

Orthotics are devices designed to correct foot and ankle problems without surgery. They can provide relief from discomfort and pain, as well as help you maintain or improve your foot health. Here are some reasons why you might need orthotic support:

To Alleviate Pain

Orthotics can effectively manage chronic pain in the feet, ankles, legs, or lower back. If you’re experiencing persistent discomfort in these areas, it could be due to an issue with your foot alignment that orthotics can address.

To Correct Foot Abnormalities

Foot conditions such as overpronation (flat feet) or supination (high arches) can cause a range of issues, including balance problems and discomfort when walking or running. Orthotics can help to adjust the alignment of your feet, reducing these symptoms.

To Support Recovery from Injury

If you’ve suffered a foot or ankle injury, orthotics might be recommended as part of your rehabilitation program. They support injured areas and promote healing by redistributing pressure across the foot.

To Improve Athletic Performance

For athletes and those who enjoy physical activities, custom-made orthotics can improve performance by helping to distribute weight evenly across the foot, increase balance and stability, reduce fatigue, and prevent injuries associated with overuse.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Are there different types of orthotics?

Yes! There are two main categories: functional orthotics designed to control abnormal motion and accommodate orthotics that provide cushioning to relieve pressure or discomfort.

2. How long do I need to wear my orthotics?

The usage period varies depending on individual needs. Some people might only need them for a short period while recovering from an injury; others may require long-term use.

3. Can I wear my normal shoes with my orthotics?

In most cases, yes! Orthotics are designed to fit into standard footwear; however, some may require extra depth or specific styles depending on the device’s design.

4. Do I need a doctor’s prescription for orthotic support?

Not always; over-the-counter inserts can be purchased without a prescription, but it’s advisable to consult with a healthcare professional for more severe conditions requiring custom-made ones.

Everyone is unique, so what works best will depend on your particular needs.