You may have plantar fasciitis, bunions, or diabetic wounds that must be treated, but did you know that there’s a single treatment that can help all of these conditions, in addition to quite a few others?
That treatment is the use of orthotics, or shoe inserts prescribed by your podiatrist. There are a couple of different types, but no matter which one you use, these medical devices can treat a host of uncomfortable foot conditions and deformities.
Our team of providers at Premier Foot & Ankle often suggests the use of orthotics to help with pain and discomfort, as well as other problems like abnormal walking patterns. When you come to one of our nine convenient Texas locations, we evaluate your discomfort thoroughly before creating a customized treatment plan. And we have many treatments at our disposal — orthotics is just one.
Orthotics are ingenious devices that are inserted into your shoes to mitigate a multitude of foot problems. They can be rigid and inflexible, soft, or semi-soft, and are made from a variety of materials, including carbon, felt, and plastic.
We’ve already mentioned some of the problems orthotics can treat, but additional issues include:
Sports injury pain, gait problems, and congenital problems can also be addressed with orthotics. These devices may even lower the chances that you might need an invasive procedure in the future.
Orthotics work their magic by relieving pressure on certain areas of your feet, mitigating balance issues, correctively realigning your foot or ankle, and easing back, hip, and leg strain.
In addition to treating deformities, orthotics can help prevent them as well. Another purpose of orthotics is to strengthen and stabilize your foot and ankle tendons, ligaments, and muscles.
When you consider all the things orthotics can do and the many problems they treat, it’s no wonder podiatrists depend on them.
Depending on the issue you need treatment for, your doctor may prescribe one of two different types of orthotics. Functional orthotics are made to help with foot mechanics problems, repetitive stress injuries, and even as shock absorbers as you go about your day.
Accommodative orthotics, on the other hand, are often prescribed to children who have congenital foot problems or defects, as well as to mitigate foot pain.
Your podiatrist matches the type of orthotic you need with your foot or ankle challenge, and it can range from something that offers simple heel support to a device that’s more like a brace and designed to be worn on your leg and foot.
Podiatrists rely on orthotics not only because they treat so many problems, but they’re versatile and can be tailored to fit you quite well.
An orthotic just might be the solution for your foot pain or condition. Book an appointment at our location most convenient to you, so your Premier Foot & Ankle provider can evaluate you. Call or schedule online today.
