4 Questions to Ask About Custom Foot Orthotics
Tustin Podiatry Clinic offers orthotics that can be used to raise an arch, ease heel pain, and/or compensate for toe joint deformities. We offer custom orthotics that are created with your specific needs in mind. Our podiatrist Dr. Charles Baik, DPM, and his team are knowledgeable and experienced, providing valuable insight into the foot support you need to get back to pain-free living. Visit us at Tustin Podiatry Clinic to minimize foot, heel, ankle, leg, and back pain. Contact us today for more information or visit us online to book an appointment. We are conveniently located at 17400 Irvine Blvd. Suite H, Tustin, CA.
Table of Contents:
What do orthotics do?
What are the three types of orthotics?
How do orthotics work?
How do I know if I need orthotics?
Certain medical conditions, shoe styles, and lifestyle activities can create foot issues that can slow down your stride and result in pain. Custom shoe inserts, known as orthotics, can provide the support your foot needs to improve or alleviate any discomfort. They provide pain relief from aches and pains caused by an improper or unbalanced step.
Orthotics are designed to provide support for areas in your feet that are misaligned, weaker, or improperly shaped. A properly fitted orthotic can lift an arch, help relieve heel/foot/back pain, or help compensate for weaker areas in the foot.
While many over-the-counter orthotics are available, getting customized ones is highly recommended if possible. This is because custom orthotics are specifically created for the size and contours of your foot and can help provide support exactly where you need it. With mass-produced orthotics, you’re getting a more basic insert that may not help in the ways that you need it.
Custom orthotics are recommended for people who are on their feet for long periods, and have bunions, hammertoes, bursitis, flat feet, high arches, plantar fasciitis, misshaped feet, and/or missing toes, or heel spurs.
Orthotics come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and levels of firmness to provide the best support for your unique needs. The three primary types of orthotics are:
• Soft: These inserts are made of soft, flexible material and are often bulkier than other types of orthotics. These are often suggested for those needing extra cushion because of tender or sore spots on the feet or because they suffer from a medical condition such as plantar fasciitis.
• Semi-rigid: These orthotics utilize both soft cushioning and rigid materials for an insert that provides comfort, structure, and support. They are often recommended for those who have toe disorders or flat feet. They’re also suggested for athletes who require more support while they’re training and competing.
• Rigid: These inserts are composed of stiffer material, such as plastic or carbon fiber, for more support – especially around the ankle. Rigid orthotics are most recommended in those experiencing foot issues that are also affecting other areas of the body (such as legs, lower back, ankles, and thighs).
Orthotics are an effective way of controlling and reducing internal and external forces that act on certain parts of the foot.
Orthotics lessen the pressure and force coming from the ground to the foot when your feet are in motion (such as when you’re walking, running, or standing). This allows for better foot function, decreases pain, and reduces the likelihood of injury resulting from a poor-quality step.
The excessive force inside the foot is the major cause of foot-related injuries. The specialized nature of the custom orthotic design will change the location and intensity of forces acting within and on the foot, alleviating existing pain and preventing any more from cropping up.
Orthotics also play a part in sending sensory feedback to your brain during times of movement. By sending these signals, your brain will oftentimes send corrective movements to the foot, which improve function, lessen pain, and prevent injury.
Custom orthotics are recommended for people who are on their feet for periods of five hours or more, or who have bunions, hammertoes, bursitis, flat feet, high arches, plantar fasciitis, misshaped feet and/or missing toes, or heel spurs.
You may also be a candidate for orthotics if:
• You have little or no arch in your foot
• You have a high arch in your foot
• You have misshapen feet and/or are missing toes
• You have a medical condition that requires more foot/leg support
• You’re experiencing pain in your foot, ankle, or heel
• You’re recovering from a lower-body injury and/or surgery
• Your shoes are consistently worn out on one side more than the other
For more information about orthotics, contact our team at Tustin Podiatry Clinic. We are conveniently located at 17400 Irvine Blvd. Suite H, Tustin, CA. For more information, please call us or request an appointment online. We serve patients from Tustin CA, Irvine CA, Garden Grove CA, Orange CA, Anaheim CA, Costa Mesa CA, and Lake Forest CA.
Additional Services You May Need
▸ Heel Pain Treatment
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▸ Ingrown Toenail Treatment
▸ Ankle Sprain Treatment
▸ Foot and Ankle Medicine & Surgery
▸ Orthotics Custom
▸ EPAT/Shockwave Therapy
▸ Hammertoe
▸ Arthritis Treatment
▸ Diabetic Foot Care
▸ Flat Feet Treatment
▸ Foot Warts Treatment
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