If you're one of the millions of Americans struggling with persistent foot or ankle pain, you know how much it can interfere with your daily life. While over-the-counter shoe inserts provide some relief, they often fall short of addressing the root cause of your discomfort. That's where custom orthotics come in.
Prescribed by a skilled podiatrist, custom orthotics are specially designed to support and align your feet, alleviating pain and improving your mobility. At The Foot Institute in El Paso, TX, we've seen firsthand the transformative custom orthotics benefits for our patients.
What Are Custom Orthotics?
Custom orthotics are medical devices that fit inside your shoes to correct biomechanical foot issues and provide support. Unlike generic insoles you can buy at the drugstore, custom orthotics are crafted from precise impressions of your feet. They take into account your unique foot structure, gait pattern, and specific condition to redistribute pressure and realign your feet into a healthier position. There are two main types of custom orthotics:
Functional Orthotics
Functional orthotics are made of semi-rigid materials like plastic or graphite. They control abnormal motion, especially for patients with flat feet or low arches. By limiting excessive pronation (inward rolling of the foot), functional orthotics help to alleviate pain in the feet, ankles, knees, and lower back.
Accommodative Orthotics
Accommodative orthotics are softer, composed of compression materials. They provide additional cushioning and support for conditions like diabetic foot ulcers, painful calluses, and other uncomfortable foot deformities. Accommodative orthotics help to reduce pressure on sensitive areas of the foot.
Conditions That Benefit From Custom Orthotics
One of the key custom orthotics benefits is their versatility in treating a wide range of foot and ankle problems. Some common conditions that respond well to custom orthotics include:
- Plantar fasciitis. Custom orthotics provide arch support and redistribute pressure away from the inflamed plantar fascia, the band of tissue running from your heel to your toes. This helps to reduce the stabbing heel pain associated with plantar fasciitis.
- Achilles tendonitis. By slightly elevating the heel, custom orthotics can reduce stress on the Achilles tendon. This is especially beneficial for patients with tight calf muscles or those who frequently wear high heels.
- Bunions. While custom orthotics can't reverse a bunion, they can slow its progression and alleviate pain. Orthotics with a wide toe box accommodate the bony protrusion, while redistributing pressure away from the big toe joint.
- Flat feet. Custom orthotics support the arch and prevent overpronation, which can lead to pain and instability. By keeping the foot and ankle in proper alignment, orthotics help to reduce the risk of related issues like shin splints and knee pain.
- Diabetic foot care. For patients with diabetes, custom orthotics play a crucial role in preventing foot ulcers. Accommodative orthotics provide extra cushioning and support to relieve pressure points that could develop into sores.
- Sports injuries. Athletes often benefit from custom orthotics to optimize their biomechanics and prevent overuse injuries. Sport-specific orthotics can improve performance and reduce the risk of common issues like stress fractures, ankle sprains, and Achilles tendonitis.
The Custom Orthotics Process: What to Expect
If you're considering all angles of custom orthotics benefits, the first step is to schedule an evaluation with a knowledgeable podiatrist. At The Foot Institute in El Paso, we begin with a thorough assessment of your feet, ankles, and lower legs. This may include a gait analysis to observe how your feet function while walking or running.
We then take a precise impression of your feet using either a foam box or digital scanning technology. This captures your unique foot shape and any abnormalities. The impressions are sent to a specialized orthotics lab, where your custom devices are fabricated.
Once your orthotics are ready, you'll return to our office for a fitting. We'll ensure that the orthotics fit comfortably in your shoes and make any necessary adjustments. It's important to gradually break in your new orthotics, wearing them for a few hours each day and slowly increasing the duration over time.
One of the best custom orthotics benefits is that as you adjust to them, you may notice improvements in your posture, balance, and overall comfort. Many of our patients report significant reductions in foot and ankle pain within a few weeks of consistently wearing their orthotics.
At The Foot Institute, we believe that no one should have to live with chronic foot or ankle pain. Our experienced podiatrists are dedicated to providing personalized solutions, including custom orthotics, to help our patients achieve lasting relief and improved quality of life.