Up to 77% of people experience foot pain at one time or another, according to a survey from the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA). Though symptoms vary in severity, foot and ankle pain can affect your mobility and quality of life without adequate treatment. The good news is you don’t necessarily have to rely on surgery. Custom orthotics may be able to help.
At South Denver Podiatry in Littleton, Colorado, our team of experienced podiatrists regularly prescribes custom orthotics to treat various foot and ankle issues, including pain. What you might not know is orthotics offer even more benefits. Discover five of them below.
Custom orthotics are prescription shoe inserts. They look and function similarly to the insoles you can buy at the grocery or pharmacy, but are designed specifically for your feet. This customization ensures a perfect fit and provides various benefits to help you stay mobile and pain-free.
Many people use custom orthotics to manage foot and ankle pain, but their advantages don’t stop there.
Your walking pattern, or gait, affects how you move and function. Conditions like plantar fasciitis can affect your balance and posture, putting extra strain on your feet.
Custom orthotics help align your feet and ankles so your weight is distributed evenly. They also improve shock absorption and stabilize your joints, reducing the risk of overuse injuries, including bunions, calluses, corns, arthritis, and stress fractures.
Running and playing sports takes a toll on the bones, joints, and soft tissues in your feet. Stretching and warming up before exercise can reduce some of this wear-and-tear, but custom orthotics can take these benefits even further.
By increasing stability and improving alignment, custom orthotics reduce muscle fatigue and help prevent injuries. Biomechanical orthotics designed specifically for performance can even help you train longer without hurting yourself.
Pregnancy causes a variety of uncomfortable symptoms, including back pain, pelvic cramps, and headaches. As your due date draws closer, it can also place extra stress on your feet, making it difficult to move comfortably. Here, too, orthotics can provide relief.
Since custom orthotics support your unique foot structure, they can help relieve pressure, improve your balance, and make it easier to move. After giving birth, you can continue using them to improve balance and stability as you return to your routine.
Foot and ankle injuries can affect your posture and gait. For example, if you have Achilles tendonitis, you may place more of your weight on the front of your foot to ease discomfort. Custom orthotics help prevent uneven weight distribution and hold your feet in the proper position. This supports your body’s healing process and reduces the risk of further injury.
Chronic conditions, like diabetes, osteoarthritis, and plantar fasciitis, can sap your energy and keep you from activities you love. Custom orthotics provide a safe, nonsurgical way to ease symptoms like pain and inflammation, so you can spend more time on your feet. Although they aren’t a cure, they can significantly improve your quality of life.
Foot and ankle pain is common, but it doesn’t have to define you or keep you from the things you enjoy. To learn more about the benefits of custom orthotics, contact us. Call our office in Littleton, Colorado, or book an appointment online.
