People who experience back pain, hip pain, and/or foot pain often turn to orthotics to relieve their discomfort. Are you one of those individuals who suffer from pain in your feet that won’t go away? Orthotics, also known as shoe inserts or insoles, may be the best nonsurgical option available.
Foot doctors use orthotics to address a wide range of their patients’ foot issues, as well as prevent them from happening in the first place. So, why should you choose custom orthotics as opposed to over-the-counter, non-customized versions? We will tell you! But first, let us discuss who needs orthotics, how they are made, and provide you with six ways custom orthotics can help with foot health.
What are custom orthotics, and who needs them?
Custom orthotics are prescription, custom devices designed to support, align and comfort the foot and lower extremities. Podiatrists use orthotics to treat conditions such as plantar fasciitis, bursitis, ulcers, foot, ankle, and heel pain. They are used to eliminate or decrease foot pain, improve function or delay the need for surgery or post-surgical pain relief.
Everyone has a unique stand or gait. Some people have feet that are just stiff, while other individuals suffer from too loose feet. Orthotics work to help your foot and body accept the stress and strain of standing and walking. However, one may need custom orthotics if they:
- Have structural issues in their feet.
- Stand for hours every day.
- You are experiencing pain in your foot.
Why are custom orthotics better than store-bought orthotics?
Today, you can find orthotics in the drug store and the grocery store. They come in multiple sizes, and are designed for men or women, walking or sports, and only cost about $30. Custom orthotics are more expensive and not always covered by insurance. So, why should you go through the hassle of seeing a podiatrist as oppose to going to your local supermarket? It’s simple. You should go to a podiatrist because relief from pain is not universal. What works for someone else may never work for you. Custom orthotics are not cheap, as compared to their generic, over-the-counter, non-customized version. Over-the-counter orthotics are generic, but you are not. You deserve better. More often than not, when patients come into our office and have been relying on non-custom orthotics to help, their pain has been actually enhanced by their over the counter choice.
The main reason that there is such a difference in price between store-bought and custom orthotics are the quality and durability of the materials, coupled with custom molding process, contribute to the expense of custom orthotics. They cost more, but they work better, last longer, and are proven to be more effective.
Why should you use custom orthotics?
- Custom orthotics work to improve the position of the foot and the ankle. They help to position and align the ligament and muscles, which further reduces pain and discomfort.
- Custom orthotics are used to treat several conditions such as hammertoes, diabetic foot issues, plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, bunion pain, shin splints, high arches, fallen arches, Achilles tendonitis, flat fleet, etc.
- Custom orthotics can help to reduce muscle stress and fatigue. It can help to improve balance and agility. If you are an athlete, custom orthotics can help to improve your performance in sports.
- Custom orthotics can help prevent injuries during high-impact activities such as running and jumping as it provides complete support and helps balance the foot.
How are Custom Orthotics Made?
Not all custom orthotics are created equal. At Metro Tulsa Foot and Ankle Specialists, our custom orthotics are designed using the latest in 3D technology used to scan and assess your arches and how you distribute your weight. This advanced technology gives us a truly accurate impression of the foot. It allows us to see a highly accurate, scalable, quick, and easy solution for collecting and interpreting a patient’s foot data, creating a one-of-kind solution, just for you to help provide relief while being built to last.
6 Ways Custom Orthotics Help with Foot Health
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Custom orthotics relieve pressure and alleviate foot pain.
Custom orthotics do not just cushion your feet from the stress of the hard pavement and floors; they are also an excellent remedy for foot conditions that otherwise would require drugs or surgery.
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Healing injuries is possible with custom orthotics.
When your feet have supportive custom orthotics, the injuries and deformities that caused your foot pain to begin to heal. When you choose to align your feet into a healthy position, tendons and ligaments that were overstretched relax and begin to repair themselves.
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Custom orthotics improve back, knee, and ankle health.
Your ankles, knees, and around depend on your feet to maintain their proper alignment and healthy range of motion. Foot problems can create pain and lessen mobility in your joints, muscles, and tendons as you change your gate to compensate for the pain.
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You can resolve leg asymmetry with custom orthotics.
Did you know that 90% of men, women, and children have one leg slightly longer than the other? Typically, that does not affect function at all, but it may throw your hips and back out of alignment over time.
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Custom orthotics can aid in preventing and treating infections.
Proper footwear and orthotics can be used to protect your feet in treating systemic diseases like diabetes that can cause peripheral neuropathy and make it challenging to feel cuts and infections. Orthotics can also help isolate diabetic foot ulcers so that proper healing can occur.
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Athletic performance and overall health are improved with custom orthotics.
Are you a young athlete, or are you a seasoned warrior striving to keep your title? No matter the situation, custom orthotics reduce injuries such as runner’s knee, Achilles tendonitis, and twisted ankles by keeping your feet in alignment. When your feet are aligned, you reduce stress on supporting tissues, allowing them to stay solid and flexible.
It can be challenging to find shoes that feel comfortable and natural for your feet, especially since shoes are mass-produced. Mass-produced shoes can cause pain. Since relief is not universal, you need customized care, which is precisely what custom orthotics provide for your body. At Metro Tulsa Foot and Ankle Specialists, we can help correct any structural issue or gait abnormalities you may have so that you can feel comfortable in the shoes that you love.
Our billing specialists will work with your insurance, as custom orthotics are covered under some plans. And our foot specialists will work with you to ensure you are satisfied with the final product.
If you want to give custom orthotics a try, schedule an appointment today at one of our five convenient locations.
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