Your feet are your body’s foundation. Each foot consists of 26 bones and hundreds of muscles, ligaments, tendons, and blood vessels. And when something goes wrong in your feet, it can lead to other issues, even in your ankles, knees, hips, and back. Learn why custom orthotics might be the solution to your knee or other pain.
What are Custom Orthotics?
Custom-made foot orthotics are medical devices inserted into the shoe to correct an abnormal or irregular walking pattern. They remove pressure and stress from painful areas in the foot and can help patients obtain better balance and mobility when walking, standing, or running. This can lead to less stress and less pain in other places too, including the ankle and knee. Wearing foot orthotics can also help to relieve foot pain caused by many medical conditions, including:
- Arthritis
- Bursitis
- Diabetes
- Plantar fasciitis
Four Benefits of Custom Orthotics
Custom is key when it comes to orthotics. Unlike generic shoe inserts, custom orthotics are tailored specifically for your foot. Here are the top four benefits of investing in custom orthotics:
- Protects Your Joints: Walking, running, and jumping all put your joints to the test. If you’re overweight, walk on hard or uneven surfaces, or have foot issues such as flat feet, the wear and tear on the body’s joints can cause pain and soreness over time. Custom orthotics can help your feet better support your body, evenly distributing the pressure.
- Improves Pain For the Foot and Beyond: Your ankles, knees, and back all depend on your feet to maintain their proper alignment and healthy range of motion. Foot problems can create pain and lessen mobility in your joints, muscles, and tendons as your stride or stance changes to compensate for foot pain.
- Prevents Injury: When it’s painful to walk, you’re more prone to injury. Custom orthotics can help reduce the pain and the chance of injuring your ankle or knee. In fact, according to research,foot orthotics reduced the risk of injuries by 28% and reduced the risk of stress fractures by 41%.
- Relieves Pressure: Custom orthotics provide cushioning and support as they redistribute the pressure your feet experience with everyday activities. This is very helpful for patients that have arthritis or for people who stand for significant periods during a workday. Custom orthotics also help prevent pressure ulcers and other foot issues that can be related to diabetes.
Invest in a Foot Scan for Custom Orthotics
Maragal Medical offers an innovative laser scanning technology to get an accurate scan of the foot to help identify arch issues. The information from this scan is sent directly to a custom orthotic company, where they develop custom orthotics based on 16 different unique measurements.
Check out this video where our very own Dr. Timothy Gallagher and Dr. Michael Marciello explain the importance of foot scans and custom-made orthotics.
Take Care of Your Feet
Keeping your feet healthy is vital to your overall well-being. Years of wear and tear can be hard on your feet. Overuse, shoes that don’t fit properly, medical issues, and even genetics can lead to injuries and disorders of the foot that can impact your mobility and quality of life. Maragal Medical can help you make your feet a priority. If you suffer from foot, ankle, or knee pain and are interested in learning more about custom orthotics, contact our office today to make an appointment.