Orthotics And Their Benefits Explained
When you hear the word “orthotics,” what image jumps into your mind? An orthopedic device that helps prevent or correct a foot deformity? An appliance to help reduce an elderly person’s risk of falling? A shoe insert to realign the leg and relieve knee pain from osteoarthritis? Well, custom-fitted orthotics do all that and much more!
Store Bought Inserts vs. Custom Orthotics
There are many types of shoe inserts available, many can be bought at pharmacies and other retail stores. Manufactures spend lots of marketing dollars to convince buyers that off-the-shelf inserts are custom and correct foot issues. In reality, store bought, off-the-shelf inserts are sold by shoe size or can be trimmed to fit and that is the extent of their customization. They are relatively inexpensive because they are mass produced from inexpensive materials that are not made to last and often give little correction or relief from a foot or ankle issue. They are in every sense of the word, generic. Your feet, however, are not generic! Custom orthotics are measured and crafted to fit your feet and your feet only and help to correct your foot or ankle issue.
What Makes Custom Orthotics Custom?
Custom-fitted orthotics are completely individualized as they are not based just on your foot size. These unique devices are made precisely to the shape and form of your foot and will fit and support only you. In the past a clay mold was taken of your foot and then shipped out to have your custom orthotic made along with specifications from your podiatrist. Today, advances in technology make it possible for your podiatrist to take a 3-D digital scan of your foot so the orthotic can be more precisely manufactured and fitted to your foot.
Orthotics Address a Wide Variety of Foot Problems
Custom-fitted orthotics can help many different foot issues, including:
Heel pain
Bunions
Corns and calluses
Flat feet
High arches
In- and out-toeing
Hammertoe and claw toe
Forefoot pain
Neuropathic ulcerations
Many foot problems arise from biomechanical issues caused by muscle weakness, joint problems or poor shoe choices. These issues put extra strain on the feet as well as higher up in the body, causing shin splints as well as knee, hip and lower back pain. Orthotics can help resolve foot problems and those resulting from poor foot biomechanics.
Orthotics Help Athletes Stay in the Game
Athletes in virtually every sport – well, maybe not swimming! – as well as those who enjoy any type of workout can benefit from custom orthotics. Because orthotics work with your specific foot type, they will improve your comfort, maintain appropriate alignment of your lower limbs and increase your efficiency. They also reduce the chance of a lower-limb injury to keep you in the game longer. Whether you are a runner or walker or enjoy sports like basketball, tennis, dancing, climbing and biking, custom orthotics can enhance your performance while reducing pains and aches and lowering your risk of an overuse injury.
Custom orthoics are an excellent treatment option for many different foot and ankle issues and injuries. They are also a highly versatile treatment option for all different types of patients including adults, children, serious athletes, weekend warriors, the elderly and diabetics. If you have a foot or ankle issue please contact Sims & Associates Podiatry today and we be happy to assess your injury and discuss how orthotics can help you.
