Most people with foot or lower-body pain may not realize much of their discomfort could be reduced by investing in custom orthotics. If you are unsure whether the investment makes sense for your needs, there are several instances where custom orthotics are likely the right option.
Musculoskeletal Pain
Typically, gait abnormalities or foot problems will manifest itself as some form of musculoskeletal pain. Surprisingly, the pain can occur anywhere from your back all the way to your feet, with every joint in between possibly affected. Pronation and supination are just a couple of examples of foot-related issues that can cause unnecessary stress on aspects of your knees and hips. Custom orthotics may allow some degree of correction, depending on the cause of the problem. People who have always walked a certain way may have a harder time adjusting to orthotics used to correct their gait.
Calluses
Calluses are an obvious sign there are abnormal pressure points on your feet. When these areas occur on the bottom of the foot, you can feel like you are walking on pebbles. Custom orthotics are especially helpful for people with genetic conditions that cause their feet to develop excessive calluses with even modest amounts of pressure. Small cushions can be useful for a couple of areas on the bottom of the foot, but when the calluses span a larger area, you will need more offloading to reduce pressure. Customized orthotics allow a reduction in pressure exactly where you need the help, which may be different on each foot or change over time. When the orthotics are combined with routine shaving of the calluses, the pain should be significantly reduced and the calluses will not return as quickly.
Toe Deformities
Toe deformities can present unique foot challenges and depending on the underlying reason for them, you may need to have your orthotics updated often. Some toe deformities can cause additional pressure on the balls of your feet, which will require more cushioning to help ease pain and reduce the formation of calluses. Some forms of orthotics are considered accommodating, meaning they are designed to accommodate foot issues or changes. Softer materials can accommodate deformities that would otherwise create more pressure on the tips and dorsal (top) aspect of the toes, which could lead to ulceration.
Many types of foot or musculoskeletal pain can be reduced with the right orthotics and footwear. Although simple retail orthotics can offer modest cushioning, if you have significant pain or foot problems, custom orthotics are worth the investment.
Talk with your foot doctor about custom orthotics.
Share24 November 2019
After suffering a traumatic foot and ankle injury, I wasn't sure how to move forward. I wanted to make things right, but the issue was so significant that I needed surgery. After surgery, I was still struggling, so a friend of mine suggested working with a podiatrist in addition to my foot and ankle surgeon. It was an excellent experience, and it felt like I had truly made some strides in the right direction. On this website, I wanted to talk about how podiatrists can help you to get your feet fixed, and how making the right choices can significantly improve your quality of life.
