Custom orthotics are specially designed footwear or inserts for people who have suffered foot injuries or other foot problems. They need to be prescribed by a doctor and are uniquely crafted to fit the patient’s exact specifications. The purpose is to craft a shoe that provides perfect support for your foot and whatever condition you are dealing with.
However, not everybody recognizes the need for orthotics. It can be easy to brush off a bit of foot discomfort as something that is not debilitating or will go away on its own. Yet, even if you don’t feel your pain is too severe, custom orthotics can significantly enhance your comfort. So, how do you know when custom orthotics are right for you?
Signs that You Need Custom Orthotics
Chronic Foot Pain & Swelling
One of the most easy-to-spot signs that you require some sort of foot treatment is chronic foot pain or swelling. Minor soreness after a long day or strenuous activity is expected. However, it’s not normal for your foot, or both feet, to constantly be sore at all times.
This could indicate that you’re dealing with a severe foot ailment, like a stress fracture, a neuroma, plantar fasciitis, or something else. A pair of custom orthotics can help relieve the stress on your foot throughout the day, allowing for faster healing.
Abnormal Foot Structure
Abnormal foot structure, such as flat feet or high arches, can affect your gait. This, in turn, can lead to stress on certain parts of your feet or legs. Over time, this can cause injuries.
However, wearing custom orthotics can help correct your gait and prevent or reduce this stress on your foot. Other conditions that might require custom orthotics include hammer toe and bunions.
Uneven Shoe Wear
Sometimes, you may not notice that anything is wrong with your feet at all. But if you notice that your shoes seem to be wearing down unevenly over time, this could indicate an irregular gait. As mentioned above, this can lead to stress and foot injuries over time if left untreated.
Symptoms Related to Diabetes
Diabetes can lead to a number of circulation complications that can impact foot health. Numbness or tingling in the feet are relatively common symptoms for people with diabetes. These can lead to much bigger problems if they are not addressed effectively.
Custom orthotics are often worn by diabetics to improve circulation and provide greater support and comfort. This, in turn, dramatically reduces the risk of serious foot injuries from diabetic complications.
Other Benefits of Orthotic Shoes
As you can see, there are several reasons why someone may need to wear custom orthotics. However, custom orthotic shoes have some additional practical benefits.
Aids Recovery
Wearing custom orthotic shoes provides perfect support to match the exact shape and size of your feet. This reduces the risk of developing worsening injuries and also helps you recover faster from prior traumatic foot injuries.
Improved Day-to-Day Comfort
In addition to all the medical benefits of custom orthotics, they simply provide better comfort for daily use. Not only is this advantageous to your health, but it can also make each day a little easier.
Save Money
Custom orthotic shoes are made from the best materials and built to fit your foot perfectly. This means they should last noticeably longer than an ordinary pair of shoes, so you may end up spending less on shoes in the long run.
Schedule An Appointment to Discuss Orthotic Options
Want to learn more about custom orthotics and other foot care treatments? Schedule a consultation with the podiatry experts in Walnut Creek at Diablo Foot & Ankle today.
Common Podiatry Questions
What is a Podiatrist?
A podiatrist is a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the foot and ankle.
What does a Podiatrist treat?
A podiatrist is a doctor who specializes in the medical and surgical care of the feet. They can treat conditions such as ingrown toenails, fungal toenails, bunions, hammertoes, and plantar fasciitis.
What’s the difference between a Podiatrist and Orthopedist?
A Podiatrist and Orthopedist are very similar to each other in many ways. They use most of the same tools and treat a lot of the same conditions. The main difference between the two is their medical training. Podiatrists are trained exclusively on the foot and ankle, whereas the Orthopedic is trained on the whole body with an additional year of training on the foot and ankle.
Where are your Podiatry clinics located?
At Diablo Foot & Ankle, we treat our foot and ankle patients in two main clinic locations in Walnut Creek and in Antioch California. Dr. Eman Elmi and Dr. Shayan Esspoor are Board Certified Podiatrists who specialize in the treatment of foot and ankle disorders.
