Orthotics support the arch, realign the structures within your foot and improve balance. They can also send feedback to the brain to prevent foot movements that are harmful or lead to injury. A doctor can prescribe custom orthotics, or you can buy premade ones at shoe stores, ski and skate shops, pharmacies, or online. Doctors usually prescribe orthotics with other treatments like physical therapy or NSAIDs.
Ankle Sprains
Unlike over-the-counter heel pads and shoe inserts, custom orthotics are highly-customized, individualized, and scientifically proven medical devices that help correct biomechanical factors that put extra stress and strain on the feet. They are typically made of a semi-rigid material like plastic or graphite and are often supplemented with softer materials for comfort. A podiatrist can diagnose a foot or ankle injury, and they will prescribe customized orthotics to help treat it. Physical therapy may also be recommended depending on the injury’s severity. This includes exercises that promote ankle stability and re-education of your foot muscles and balance. Studies have shown that patients who undergo early physical therapy emphasizing balance control have fewer ankle sprains.
Plantar Fasciitis
Do you experience a painful sensation in the bottom of your heel or arch? This could be plantar fasciitis, caused by inflammation of the thick band of fibrous tissue that connects your heel bone to your toes, known as the plantar fascia. You may feel a bruised or achy sensation, especially when you take your first steps in the morning or stand for long periods. High-impact activities like running or jumping can worsen the pain. Fortunately, you can alleviate and prevent plantar fasciitis by using custom orthotics as shoe inserts. A healthcare professional can create these inserts by making a plaster cast of your feet, ensuring a perfect fit for your shoes. The custom orthotics help reduce stress on your foot and leg muscles, effectively relieving heel pain.
Achilles Tendinitis
Achilles tendinitis is painful and can interfere with running, hiking, and other activities. Treatment includes rest, ice to reduce swelling, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen, and calf-strengthening exercises. Custom orthotics can help by correcting feet that aren’t ideally positioned (overpronation). This is particularly common in people with flat feet. However, a randomized trial suggests that foot orthoses may not be effective in treating Achilles tendinitis. Treatments such as varying exercise, heel lifts in shoes, and splinting at night are needed to keep the foot elevated and strengthen the calf muscles. Moreover, over-the-counter orthotics are designed for the “average” foot and do not consider individual needs. Therefore, visiting a certified pedorthist to evaluate your foot needs and custom orthotic shoe insoles is a good idea.
Morton’s Neuroma
A Morton’s neuroma is a painful condition that affects the nerves in your foot. It develops in response to irritation, pressure, or injury to a nerve in the ball of your foot that carries sensations to your toes. It can be caused by wearing tight shoes, high heels, or sports like jogging. It causes burning pain, tingling, and a feeling like you’re standing on a pebble in your shoe or a fold in your sock between the third and fourth toes. It occurs when the tissue around the nerve thickens, causing irritation and inflammation. Treatment involves reducing your shoe size or using a pad to help spread the weight of your feet more evenly. Sometimes a doctor will inject you with a numbing medication or perform a surgical procedure called decompression surgery to cut some of the bone inside your foot and help relieve the pressure on the nerve.
Knee Pain
Aching feet can make any day miserable. Whether you are walking from store to store on your weekly shopping trip or hiking a mountain, the pain can spread up into your hips and back. When it comes to treating foot pain, orthotics are essential. Custom orthotics are shoe inserts specially molded to fit your feet. They help improve how your feet move and can lessen symptoms associated with conditions like high arches and excessive supination (in which the ankle rolls to one side when you walk or stand). Studies have shown that specialized orthotics reduce knee pain caused by osteoarthritis of the medial compartment. This type of knee pain is primarily associated with overpronation. Orthotics that include a valgus wedge are particularly effective at reducing this type of knee pain.
