Custom Orthotics
Do You Need Assistance With Walking? Orthotics Could Help Ease Discomfort.
Did you know that when you get older, your feet change? Natural changes in the structure of your foot, the support of your ligaments, and complications from previous injuries will all cause strain and pain.
Is it tough for you to get through the day because of leg or foot pain? Are you avoiding movement because you’re worried about the stress it may place on your lower extremities?
If this is the case, custom orthotics from Joint Effort Physical Therapy can make your daily tasks much more relaxed and manageable. Custom orthotics give your feet additional support and relaxation.
You will be evaluated, measurements taken, and a cast of each foot will be formed to send to the orthotics lab to make a unique pair of orthotics specific to you, your feet and your common activities. (You will NOT be handed a pair of inserts from a shelf in the back room that are custom to no one.)
Reasons for foot pain
Several conditions that are closely related to the feet can cause foot problems. Foot pain can be caused by illnesses and disorders that affect the whole body.
The disorders or diseases mentioned below are only a few examples of what can cause foot pain. Physical exercise should be used to cure any of these conditions:
Arthritis
Arthritis is one of the most common diseases. It is a debilitating joint disease that can affect the joints throughout the foot. Stiffness and swelling in the joints can eventually lead to permanent damage. This can affect the way you stand or walk.
Plantar Fasciitis
This condition can be caused by obesity, age, and standing for long periods on your feet.
It manifests as pain felt along the sole, especially in the region connecting the heel bone to the toes.
This is caused by tightened or inflamed tissues around the bottom of the feet. Pain in the heel or arch of the foot is also possible.
Heel Spurs
Heel spurs can be caused by much of the same risk factors that affect plantar fasciitis. There is a bony protrusion on the heel that is usually composed of calcium buildup.
Although the spurs themselves are not painful, they will prick the tissues in the heel and inflict extreme pain..
Diabetes
Diabetes can lead to foot problems because of restricted blood flow and nerve damage. When nerves are damaged through diabetes this is referred to as neuropathy, which can be particularly painful to deal with.
When the muscles in the foot no longer work properly together, it may result in uneven strain on the foot.
In severe situations, unequal strain will cause sores, infections, and even amputation. Diabetes-related foot conditions can be avoided when wearing appropriate footwear.
Metatarsalgia
Metatarsalgia is a painful condition that affects the soles of the feet
This condition is often exacerbated by ill-fitting or restricting shoes/boots. This is a crippling condition that affects the knees, bones, and the ball of the foot.
Orthotics are often used to help relieve the pain associated with metatarsalgia.
Such easily treatable disorders include patellofemoral knee inflammation, shin splints, Achilles tendonitis, and bunions, as well as a variety of chronic pathologies that impair lower limb function (such as diabetes).
The good news is… Physical therapy clinics will help you ease pressure and strengthen the injury you’re grappling with with your foot.
How do custom orthotics improve foot and leg pain?
Orthotics are similar to insoles, but they are custom-designed and made of materials that can last longer than prefabricated orthotics. They are devices that are custom-made to suit your feet perfectly.
Custom orthotic inserts will improve how your feet and lower legs feel and function. Although custom orthotics are more expensive than off-the-shelf devices, they last much longer and provide more support and correction.
There are generally three types of custom orthotics, including:
- Therapeutic. If the shape of your feet is irregular, these types of orthotics can assist heel support, forward movement, and general stability.
- Accommodative. These are created to help you relieve the stress on joints that is often caused by conditions such as arthritis.
- Functional. These will help your feet to move better or bear weight in a way that will help you move and walk better.
Benefits of custom orthotics
Quality orthotics can alleviate pain, reduce stiffness, and improve mobility. You will require personalized orthotics that are designed to suit the precise shape of the foot to reap the most benefits.
We are well-equipped as physical therapists to address musculoskeletal disorders that impair movement. We are well-versed in gait analysis and lower extremity biomechanics.
When providing custom orthotics, your physical therapist will have a thorough understanding of your existing medical problems as well as your level of exercise.
They will also perform diagnostic tests on you as well as a custom fitting to decide what kind of orthotic fit will be most comfortable on your feet.
We will make orthotics that are tailored to the contours of your feet, giving you the most function, protection, and comfort. After your test and fitting, your personalized orthotics would most likely take a few weeks to come from the lab.
Following the receipt of your orthotics, you will most likely be expected to have an ongoing evaluation of how your orthotics are functioning. Fine-tuning may be needed to achieve the best results possible, but bear in mind that our physical therapists will be with you every step of the way to ensure your end goal is accomplished!
Interested in giving custom orthotics a try?
You deserve to live a pain-free life. Here at Joint Effort Physical Therapy in Colorado Springs, CO, we understand you have places to go and things to do, and we want to make sure you feel your best and are light on your feet! Contact Joint Effort Physical Therapy today to learn how our customized orthotics can benefit you.