subject: When Foot Problems Slow You Down Try Custom-made Orthotics [print this page] While participating in sports, or even through daily walking, you may experience foot, heel, arch pain, and other foot pain ailment. When pain is felt, it can often interrupt your daily schedule. Luckily, if you are experiencing pain in your foot-for whatever reason-your San Antonio, Texas podiatrist is happy to offer you custom-made orthotics to bring relief to your aching feet. We use our feet daily, and they often take the brunt of our weight and force, but often are neglected. This summer, stand tall and continue to enjoy your day-to-day activities with happy, healthy feet with the aide of custom-made orthotics by your podiatrist in San Antonio.
What are Orthotics?
Orthotics are used to alter or modify foot function and are designed to treat, adjust, and support various biomechanical foot disorders. The most effective are custom-made orthotics, which are created to meet the specific needs of an individual's foot shape and problem.
Your podiatrist prescribes orthotics as a conservative approach to many foot problems or as a method of control after certain types of foot surgery. Orthotics are shoe inserts that serve the purpose of correcting an abnormal walking pattern. By slightly altering the angles at which the foot strikes a walking or running surface, orthotics make standing, walking, and running more comfortable and efficient.
Orthotics can be used to treat a number of foot problems such as heel pain, plantar fasciitis, unstable ankles but also may have a beneficial effect on knee function and low back pain.
Rigid, Soft and Semi-Rigid Orthotics
With rigid orthotic devices, function is controlled and is primarily used for walking or with dress shoes. Rigid orthotic devices are typically made of a firm material, such as plastic or carbon fiber to effectively support your feet. Your podiatrist will take a mold of your foot using a plaster cast or another kind of image of your foot in order to create your orthotic. Using a rigid orthotic device will control motion and may improve or eliminate strains, aches, and pains in the feet, legs, thighs and lower back. These are long lasting, do not change shape and are usually difficult to break.
Generally used to absorb shock, increase balance, and take pressure off uncomfortable or sore spots, soft orthotics are usually effective for diabetic, arthritic, and deformed feet. Soft orthotics are typically made up of soft, cushioned materials so that they can be worn against the sole of the foot, extending from the heel past the ball of the foot and including the toes.
Semi-rigid orthotic devices provide dynamic balance of the foot while walking or participating in sports, or other various physical activities. This helps to guide the foot through proper functions, allowing the muscles and tendons to perform more efficiently. It is constructed of layers of soft material and reinforced with rigid materials.
How are custom orthotics made?
A podiatrist will first need to perform a biomechanical examination to determine what modifications are needed to the foot mechanics which have caused a problem. The foot is then manipulated into a corrected position followed by application of a molding material such as plaster of paris of fiberglass. This step produces a negative cast of the foot in the partially corrected position. The negative cast is sent to an accredited foot orthotic laboratory along with the prescription. The lab will pour plaster into the negative cast, creating a positive cast. Next, corrections are made to the positive cast by the lab based on the prescription. The corrected positive cast is the model that the lab will press the orthotic material over, graphite or plastic.Modifications are then added to the orthotic plate such as posts (wedges) in order to modify foot function. There are over 30 common modifications to the orthotic that can be ordered.
With help from your San Antonio podiatrist, you can further protect your feet with custom-made orthotics.
