Chronic foot or ankle pain can, at times, be debilitating and demoralizing. For many people, simply walking up the stairs can be extremely painful. That pain can reduce mobility, making it harder to enjoy many regular daily activities. If you are suffering from this problem, custom orthotics offer a simple, effective, and affordable solution.
But what are custom orthotics? What benefits, exactly, do they offer, and how can you know if they are right for you? This guide will help you answer all of those questions.
What Are Custom Orthotics?
“Orthotics” refers to the medical field that has to do with the design and use of braces and other structural support devices. So “custom orthotics” simply refers to the design of custom inserts to match the unique contours of the patient’s body. Custom orthotics are most commonly used to support the foot and ankles.
The most basic form of foot and ankle orthotics are store-bought shoe inserts. While these provide some relief from foot pain, they offer only a fraction of the benefits of custom orthotics. Custom orthotics are inserts that are prescribed by a doctor and crafted by a professional technician. Moreover, custom ankle and foot orthotics are made to match the exact measurements of your feet and ankles to provide maximum support and comfort.
Custom orthotics shoes and inserts can be used to treat a wide range of conditions. Traumatic foot injuries, plantar fasciitis, bunions, and even diabetes and arthritis are just a few conditions treatable with custom orthotics.
Benefits of Custom Ankle, Foot Orthotics
Better Injury Protection
Spending any prolonged time on your feet can cause physical stress, which can lead to injury. Physical activity, like jogging or hiking, increases the likelihood of foot and ankle injuries. However, the improved support afforded by custom foot and ankle orthotics provides much more stability during these activities. This, in turn, greatly reduces the risk of sustaining foot injuries, ranging from minor strains to traumatic or chronic problems.
Correct Gait & Foot Abnormalities
Any abnormality in foot or leg structure can alter your gait or simply how you stand. These alterations, over time, can lead to stress in your feet, ankles, and legs, resulting in chronic pain and other symptoms. But custom orthotics can solve all of these issues.
A pair of custom orthotics can be designed to match the specific shape of a patient’s feet. For instance, a patient with two uneven feet can have a pair of custom orthotics made to match each foot. Simply by wearing these custom orthotics, a patient’s abnormal gait can be corrected thanks to improved balance.
Custom orthotics are used to treat all types of foot abnormalities. Conditions like high arches, flat feet, hammertoes, and more.
Significant Pain Relief
Whether you have suffered a traumatic foot injury or are dealing with a condition like bunions, custom orthotics can help. Custom orthotics shoes increase foot and ankle support while also reducing pressure in certain areas.
For patients with bunions, for example, a pair of custom orthotic shoes can provide more space around the toes to reduce discomfort and inflammation. Simply wearing a pair of custom orthotic shoes throughout the day significantly reduces chronic stress on the foot. This can help patients recover more quickly from injuries and worry less about painful symptoms of various foot ailments.
Get Expert Custom Orthotics Treatment
If you’re tired of dealing with chronic foot discomfort, custom orthotics can be a life-changing solution. Diablo Foot & Ankle can help you with an assessment to determine if custom orthotics are, in fact, right for you. Book a consultation with one of our doctors today to discuss custom orthotics and get a prescription.
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.
