Many Americans are suffering from foot and ankle pain on a regular basis. They may notice that it started out as an occasional ache and pain when they were busy all day long, but it didn’t take too much time before the condition got worse and the individual noticed that the pain would not go away all day long.
Without the proper care and attention, it is possible for the pain to get so bad, it becomes difficult to do some of the daily tasks that you need to accomplish. This can make life difficult and painful, which is no fun for anyone.
Finding the right solution to deal with this discomfort and pain is a must for many people. One solution that you can consider is a custom orthotic.
Before you jump right into using a custom orthotic, it is important to know what they are and how they can help you out.
These medical devices can slip right into your shoe, providing you with some of the comfort that you need and additional support to make the pain go away as quickly as possible.
What Exactly Are Custom Orthotics?
The first thing that we need to take a look at is what a custom orthotic is and why it is so beneficial to many patients. An orthotic is going to be a medical device that you will add to your shoe to provide extra support for abnormal movements in the foot.
These abnormal movements can happen due to improper alignment, poor gait, or an injury over time. The point of wearing the orthotic is to provide some additional comfort and support to the foot.
This can relieve some of the pain that you may feel from a variety of conditions, make the discomfort go away, and relieves pressure when you walk throughout the day. Many patients will choose orthotics to help provide them with cushion and support.
The neat thing about custom orthotics is that they are designed with your feet in mind. This makes them different from some of the over-the-counter insoles that you can choose, which are mass-produced and sent out with the hope that they will fit as many people as possible.
Custom orthotics are made from a mold of your foot so they solve your unique foot problems. Because these are specific to your feet, you will find that a pair of custom orthotics can make a lot of sense for many foot concerns.
Whether you have an improper gait, plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, hammertoe, or another condition, a custom orthotic can be designed to provide you with some of the support that you would like.
Options for Specific Custom Orthotics to Choose
You can also choose from a few different types of orthotics based on what will provide you with the most support and will keep your body safe and protected. You and your doctor will be able to determine the type of orthotic that will work best for your needs. Some examples of types of orthotics you can choose include
- Functional orthotics: These are often made out of a rigid material, like plastic or carbon fiber. They will be able to help with the alignment of the foot because they will force the foot to stay in a certain position to correct issues that are present. Many will have additional arch support to help too.
- Accommodative orthotics: These are more about providing cushioning and comfort to the foot along with some support. They may be a little thicker and can reduce some of the pressure on the areas of the foot that are overworked. They are good for issues like bunions, hammertoes, and plantar fasciitis.
- Fragile feet orthotics: These are good for those with diabetes because the upper layer of the orthotic will have an additional amount of softness to provide some relief as well.
- Pied sensible orthotics: This is an orthotic type that is good for patients struggling with neuropathic issues. It is good for sensitive feet and will provide additional metatarsal padding to provide more stability and support.
- Sport special orthotics: If you are an athlete who likes to participate in some strenuous activities and wants to protect your feet, then these sports orthotics can make a lot of sense for you and will keep you moving around while reducing pain and the chance of injury.
The type of orthotic that you will need to use often depends on what you do on a daily basis. Your doctor will complete a full exam, asking about your daily activity level and medical history to make sure they pick the right orthotic for your needs.
How Much Do Custom Orthotics Cost?
Another thing to consider when picking out a pair of custom orthotics is how much they will cost for the user to wear. When you compare the cost of these custom orthotics to some of the over-the-counter insoles that you can choose, the cost will be more.
Custom orthotics are made specifically for your feet and are often more effective. A typical pair of custom orthotics will cost between $200 and $800.
The overall cost will depend on what you use the orthotic for and any special considerations that need to be added to the orthotic for it to be effective. The types of materials placed in the orthotic are a special consideration as well.
You will often find that your insurance provider will help cover some to all of the costs of a custom orthotic, helping to reduce the cost and make this a more affordable option.
These custom orthotics will often last three or more years, providing you with a high-quality product with good pain relief for a price that is relatively affordable as well.
The Advantages of Custom Orthotics
There are a lot of benefits to choosing to go with a pair of custom orthotics for your foot pain. This is part of why so many patients will choose to go with a pair for their foot pain.
These custom orthotics will be able to help provide you with additional support, re-align the body, and keep you moving through the day better than before. Each patient will be able to enjoy a different benefit when they decide to pick out a pair of custom orthotics.
Some of the best benefits of choosing a pair of custom orthotics for your lifestyle include
- Better foot support: Our feet often need a lot of support to make it through the day successfully. Picking out a good pair of custom orthotics will help add additional support, right where you need it the most. Whether you need some support in the heel, the arches, or in other parts of the foot, custom orthotics can help take care of the pain.
- More comfort: If you need more comfort when you are walking around, then a pair of custom orthotics is the best choice for you. You can get these designed to add comfort throughout the foot where you need it the most.
- Reduce the pain: Many patients will choose to get a pair of custom orthotics to help reduce the pain that they feel. No matter the foot condition you deal with, these orthotics will provide you with the support that you need to reduce it and make you feel better.
- Better athletic performance: When you are able to align the feet and body better, you will find that it helps you to perform better when you play sports. This can reduce your risk of injury and helps you do better when competing with others.
- Helps with pronation: Pronation will occur when the arches start to collapse and the ankle falls to the midline of the body. This can cause a good deal of stress to the lower back, hips, and knees along with the feet. A good pair of custom orthotics can help add arch support and prevent this condition from getting worse.
- Correct supination: When you have high arches, you may have the ankles leaning out away from the middle of the body, putting a lot of strain on you. You can use custom orthotics to help bring the foot back into alignment and fix the issues with high arches too.
Choosing the Right Custom Orthotic for You
With all of the benefits of a custom orthotic, it is no wonder that so many people are jumping on board and choosing to get a pair for themselves. It is a non-invasive way to help make the pain go away and can give you a lot of alignment and support that other treatments are not able to provide.
Take our free analysis to help determine what type of orthotics will be best for you. When you are ready to see whether custom orthotics are the right solution for you, give us a call or leave your information so we can get you started on your journey to healthier feet, and happier life.