Do you regularly experience foot, ankle, heel, or hip pain? If so, you may benefit from custom-molded orthotics. At Foot & Ankle Specialty Center in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, the board-certified podiatrists use custom-molded orthotics to help ease pain and improve their patients’ quality of life. If you’re in need of custom, professional orthotics, call or use the online booking tool to make an appointment today.
Orthotics are a special type of heel or shoe insert designed to relieve foot, ankle, or back problems.
If you experience foot or leg pain on a regular basis and conservative methods of care haven’t provided relief, your doctor may recommend orthotics.
Everyone’s feet are different, as are their gait and pronation. However, some diagnoses can benefit from orthotic treatment, including:
Custom-molded orthotics also provide an extra line of defense for active people and athletes with a history of previous injuries.
There are two main types of orthotics:
Rigid orthotics are made using plastics and carbon fiber. They aren’t flexible and fit best in low heels, sneakers, or dress shoes. The team at Foot & Ankle Specialty Center typically recommends rigid orthotics for people suffering from foot aches, as well as pain in the legs and lower back.
Soft orthotics are cushion-like and malleable, manufactured from plush materials. Soft orthotics relieve pressure affecting corns and diabetic ulcers. They also help relieve plantar fasciitis. Soft orthotics are much bigger than rigid orthotics and require prescription footwear.
People with chronic foot pain tend to invest in over-the-counter orthotics because they’re budget-friendly, but custom-molded orthotics are far more effective than store-bought ones. They’re also:
Over-the-counter orthotics last an average of 1-2 years, while custom-molded orthotics last 5-10. The materials are also more durable, making it a wise long-term investment.
Prior to fitting your custom-molded orthotics, your podiatrist takes a digital scan of your foot. Your doctor uploads this information to a computer and uses it to map all the curves of your feet. A better-fitting orthotic means long-lasting results and better mobility.
A custom-molded orthotic is just that: custom molded. This means better foot and ankle support, better alignment while walking, and a better quality of life.
If you’ve tried various methods of treatment for foot and ankle pain with little or no relief, custom-molded orthotics are worth considering. Call or use the online booking tool to make an appointment at Foot & Ankle Specialty Center today.
