Do you have aching, tired feet? It’s not easy to walk, play sports and just do your day-to-day activities when your feet are in pain. Fortunately, you can avoid complex surgeries or continuous physical therapy when you use shoe orthotics provided by your foot and ankle surgeon. These shoe inserts are made just for you to correct, protect, cushion and support your feet all day long.
What Are Custom Orthotics?
Custom orthotics are foot-shaped inserts that can be placed into shoes of all kinds–running shoes, cleats, dress shoes and more. Crafted from durable materials, such as graphite and high-tech plastics, orthotics provide a solid base for the foot.
Orthotics can:
- Control foot and ankle motion
- Accommodate acquired and congenital deformities
- Protect foot wounds
- Cushion and protect weak and stressed areas of the foot
To determine if a patient needs custom orthotics, a foot and ankle doctor will perform a physical examination and review of present and past symptoms. The podiatrist will also look at family and medical history and do digital imaging to determine a diagnosis.
Custom orthotics are part of conservative, but effective, podiatric treatment plans which:
- Reduce foot and ankle pain
- Control inefficient motion
- Distribute weight evenly over the bottom of the foot
- Support flat arches
- Provide proper balance and support
- Absorb the shock and physical forces associated with ambulation
- Reduce friction from shoes and socks
- Improve posture and relieve lower back pain from standing for long periods of time
- Relieve sciatica
- Reduce symptoms of diabetic neuropathy
- Avoid shin splints and other repetitive motion injuries to the lower legs, ankles and feet
Uses of Custom Orthotics
Custom orthotics help alleviate foot problems such as:
- Flat feet
- Fallen arches
- Hammer toes
- Bunions
- High arches
- Heel spurs
- Inflammatory conditions, such as plantar fasciitis
- Foot ulcers
- Corns and calluses
- Ankle sprains and ankle instability
- Bursitis
- Arthritis
Your podiatrist will use sophisticated casting and imaging techniques to prescribe the shoe inserts just right for you. They may be rigid, semi-rigid or soft, depending on your podiatric health needs and personal preferences. Unlike over-the-counter orthotics, customized shoe inserts last for years, making them worth the expense and time invested in their fabrication.
On a final note, custom orthotics are not appropriate for every foot and ankle condition nor can they be used by every patient. However, your podiatrist can accurately assess your podiatric health issue and tell you if custom orthotics could be part of a comprehensive care plan which proves effective in relieving your symptoms.
Custom Orthotics Near Me in RI and Massachusetts
At Foot and Ankle Institute of New England, we are pleased to provide both children and adults exceptional foot and ankle care, including custom orthotics which deliver the results individual patients need. Call us today to learn more about how they could help youor request your appointment online. Our three board-certified foot and ankle surgeons and their knowledgeable team are here to help.
We have three locations to serve you: Warwick and Middletown, RI and Fall River, MA.
