3 Reasons You Should Get Orthotics Before Your Feet Ever Start Hurting

You’ve probably heard the sage advice, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” While it may sound logical, that reasoning may not apply to your feet. 

Whether yours are big or small, narrow or wide, you likely expect a lot of them. And custom orthotics can make sure they’re up for the job.

In an ideal world, we’d all be born with perfect feet. But these complex structures often come with some minor defects. While this may not cause issues immediately, it can lead to pain and dysfunction. That’s where orthotics come in.

Our skilled team at Premier Foot and Ankle Center creates customized orthotics on a patient-by-patient basis. This personalized approach ensures you get the precise corrections you need to keep your feet — and body — in top shape.

Here are three reasons to get orthotics before foot pain sets in. Orthotics help by:

Providing proper alignment and support for your foot and ankle

Your feet may be small compared to the rest of your body, but they have a big job. They act as a base for your entire musculoskeletal system. As if that isn’t enough, they also have to absorb impact whenever you move, and they act as levers that can propel you in any direction.

All of this is possible because of 26 bones and more than 100 ligaments in each foot, not to mention the scores of muscles and tendons. Together, they form a complex layer of tissue that starts in your foot and continues into your ankle and lower leg.

When this system works properly, your foot and ankle function seamlessly, ensuring you move in a healthy manner. If it doesn’t, you could develop an abnormal or irregular walking pattern (or gait), putting stress on other parts of your body.

Orthotics can fix these issues, correcting foot problems that interfere with how you walk, stand, and absorb shock during activity. Their increased support can even help prevent ankle sprains and foot fatigue.

Correcting, supporting, or preventing foot issues

Foot pain often indicates a problem, but the issue can exist before you feel pain — and custom orthotics can make sure you never do.

Foot issues that orthotics can address include:

• Corns and calluses
• Bunions
• Hammertoes  
• Flat feet or high arches
• Plantar fasciitis
• Limb length differences

It’s also beneficial to talk to our team about orthotics if you are overweight or obese, are an athlete, or have conditions that affect sensation or circulation in your feet, like diabetes. Our custom orthotics can reduce pressure on sore spots, improve balance, and help prevent additional foot problems from developing.

Improving foot and ankle function

Custom orthotics come in numerous shapes and sizes, but they usually fall into three categories: 

• Rigid — controls foot function directly below the ankle joint
• Soft — reduces pressure on sore spots, improves balance, and helps with shock absorption
• Semirigid — provides dynamic balance for athletes

To determine the best orthotic for you, we assess your foot type and issues, level and form of physical activity, and how your ankle, knee, and hip work together. The orthotic then corrects the problem by repositioning the foot and ankle so they function properly.

Once corrected, you can expect less muscle fatigue and fewer risks of injury or stress on your body. It’s also common to have enhanced performance because your muscles can function more efficiently.

Could custom orthotics be right for you? Schedule an assessment today at Premier Foot and Ankle Center in Worcester and Webster, Massachusetts, to find out.