Custom foot orthotics are special inserts for your shoes that a doctor prescribes that have been custom made specifically for you and your particular needs. A doctor may prescribe orthotics to treat foot, leg, or back problems. They are not comparable to the shoe insert you can purchase at a retail store or athletic store. They are highly customized inserts made specifically for your feet and your particular issues. These custom orthotics will be prescribed only if an off the shelf device or other treatments, such as exercises at home, haven’t proven effective. Custom orthotics can be used for:
You may see a podiatrist, who is a doctor specializing in conditions of the feet if you’re experiencing significant foot and heel pain. He or she will ask about your symptoms when you first noticed the symptoms, what makes them worse, what makes them better, etc. Your podiatrist will then conduct a physical exam of your feet and ankles, looking for deformities and malalignment that are the source of your discomfort.
Your doctor will likely need to observe your gait pattern, which would involve asking you to walk and perform other activities to determine how the feet and ankles are positioned during certain exercises. Some doctors may even have special imaging or pads where you walk so that the images will show how and where your feet strike the ground and can help determine the exact location and type of problems in the structure and function of your feet.
The doctor may also recommend traditional imaging of your feet, including an x-ray, bone scan, or MRI. This can help him/her identify areas of arthritis, damage, or injury. All of these diagnostic methods will be taken into account when making treatment recommendations, including the specific prescription for your custom orthotics.
Doctors may prescribe orthotics to treat many medical conditions, including:
Doctors may prescribe custom orthotics for people who have positional concerns with their feet or legs. As always, consult your physician for your personalized plan.
At Diablo Foot and Ankle, our specialists can assess if a custom orthotic treatment is right for you. Call us today to schedule your appointment. We are here for you!