What Foot Conditions Can Orthotics Improve?

It’s easy to take your feet for granted. But these overlooked workhorses take a beating day after day, bearing the weight of your entire musculoskeletal system as you move through life. 

That’s also why even a minor problem, like a bunion, can throw off your entire body, leading to pain, imbalances, and fatigue.

At Premier Foot and Ankle Center, our team knows that you need a strong and healthy foundation for your body to function properly, starting with your feet and ankles. And one of the best ways of addressing issues in these areas involves custom orthotics.

Custom orthotics basics

Foot orthotics are medical devices you insert in your shoes for: 

• Correcting foot deformities
• Improving ankle or foot function
• Providing ankle support
• Reducing the risk of injury

You can buy over-the-counter orthotics online and in stores, but we prescribe custom orthotics to address a specific condition. And unlike mass-produced orthotics, custom devices are made specifically with your feet in mind.

What conditions orthotics can improve

Orthotics don’t involve surgery, so they technically can’t correct a foot problem. Instead, they improve your symptoms by better positioning your foot inside your shoe, which improves function throughout your entire leg — and your whole body in return.

Common foot and ankle conditions that benefit from custom orthotics include:

• Arthritis
• Hammertoes and bunions
• Flat feet and high arches
• Plantar fasciitis
• Neuromas
• Foot, heel, and ankle pain
• Diabetic foot care

We also recommend custom orthotics to improve foot mechanics and performance in athletes as well as physically active people, which can reduce the risk of sports injuries.

Orthotics can also provide relief for pain in other areas of your body, including your knees, hips, and back.

How orthotics work

When you get custom orthotics, it starts with a visit to one of our podiatrists. 

During your appointment, we discuss your symptoms, assess your feet, and look for areas of pain or any deformities. In many cases, we also ask you to walk and perform other movements so we can observe the positioning of your feet and ankles in action. 

Sometimes, we also do additional testing, like X-rays, MRIs, or bone scans, to look for underlying damage, injury, or arthritis.

After reaching a diagnosis, we make personalized recommendations regarding which orthotics can correct your foot conditions, ease your symptoms, and restore function. Then we take plaster impressions of your feet and use them to make and fit your custom orthotics.

When your custom orthotics are ready, you return to our office for a fitting. At this point, we could make additional adjustments to ensure the ideal fit. Moving forward, we schedule regular appointments to reevaluate your orthotics to ensure they continue functioning properly and replace them as needed.

Is foot pain slowing you down? Schedule a consultation with our team at the Premier Foot and Ankle Center office nearest you. We’re located in Worcester, Webster, and Leominster, Massachusetts.