Orthotics Advisory

Are You Sure You Need Orthotics?

It seems that lately many people are getting into the foot care business and want to sell you orthotics. They offer you comfort and relief of your symptoms. Sounds promising but...

Ask: Just what are the qualifications of the person wanting to treat your feet?

If they are a foot specialist, then they are trained to recognize and treat foot disorders and you are in good hands. If, however, this person has training in another area and is doing foot care "on the side", then you may want to consider getting a second opinion.

Consider: You may not even need orthotics in the first place!

Podiatrists will frequently use different treatments to make your feet more comfortable without orthotics. For example, a podiatrist can show you how the application of padding, taping or other materials can bring you instant relief. Sometimes a simple treatment in a podiatrist's office will bring dramatic and long lasting comfort without the need for orthotics.

Pronation / Flat Feet

If your arches flatten out when you stand up, and your ankles appear to roll in towards each other this is called "Pronation".

Basically this is due to a structural imbalance of the bones of the feet making them unstable so that they collapse rather than perform as a rigid lever to propel you from one step to the next.

This problem is easy to recognize. In fact, many people who recognize this want to sell you orthotics. If you're having foot pain, then their offer to sell you orthotics may sound appealing.

Caution: Not all orthotics are the same. The results vary as some work well and others don't.

Reason: The knowledge and training of the individual treating you usually is directly related to the success of your treatment. Also, there are a number of methods used in making orthotics. Some methods work well while other methods are less than desirable.

How You Can Recognize Which Methods Will Work For You

Before you get orthotics, inquire as to how they will be made.

Preferred: A plaster cast taken of the corrected foot position assures the greatest accuracy in the fabrication of orthotics. When you are sitting with your feet non weight bearing, the ideal positioning of the foot can be achieved. This allows for maximum effectiveness when walking.

Less Desirable: Many people with little training in biomechanics of the feet commonly use afoam impression in order to get a mold of the foot. Ask in advance if foam is used to get your foot impression. If you are told that yes, they use a "foam cast", then you may want to think twice about getting your orthotics, by this method.

• Reason: A foam impression captures the foot in its weight bearing or deviated position. We want a corrected position and the foot cannot be placed correctly when it is in foam.
  
  
• Result: When the foam method is used, the end product orthotic will not accurately correct your foot mechanics. They may provide some support with standing, but they do not control the pronation adequately. Your symptoms may persist, or you may wind up needing proper orthotics to obtain desirable results.
  

Even Worse: Footprints or tracings of your feet commonly done at trade shows, in malls or even by mail order are usually a waste of time and money. The products that they give you are simply off the shelf inserts with a bit of support to fit your size as shown on the tracing.

Better: If you want to try something fast and cheap, then simply try arch supports from a drug store or sporting goods store. These devices provide some support and may be of some relief. They may keep you going for a few months and let you put off getting proper orthotics for a while.

Computers & Orthotics

As you know, computers work wonders in our world today. However, when it comes to orthotics, the public is being misled. Here's why:
A Computerized gait analysis lets you see the pressure points of your feet on a screen. This is very impressive to patients . In fact, this tool lends credibility to those that are using it. So, in fact, if the person that is using these computerized gait analysis machines has little training in biomechanics of the foot, it doesn't show to the patient since everything looks "high tech".

The problem: Just because you are getting a computerized gait analysis, it doesn't mean that the orthotics are computerized. In fact, in most cases, the orthotics that are dispensed to you after this computerized gait analysis are ready made items of a stock or standard size. They may have a particular arch height that approximates your foot, but they're not custom made to your feet hence they cannot accurately control foot motions. In some cases, modifications are made to these off-the-shelf devices such as varying top covers. However, they are not nearly as effective as orthotics made from a plaster cast.

What's Best for You and Your Feet

You have only one pair of feet that have to last you a lifetime - approximately 120,000 miles!
For you to keep active and to continue walking comfortably, your feet have to be in the best possible shape. You can keep them in top form by taking good care of them and not neglecting problems when they arise.

Recommended: Have your feet checked by a podiatrist. You need a medical diagnosis of your foot condition. A doctor of podiatric medicine has the specialized training and years of experience to best treat your foot problem.

Others that do foot care as a sideline may not be qualified to diagnose your problem.

If you do not need orthotics, a podiatrist will tell you so. If you do need orthotics, a podiatrist will use the best possible technique to correct your foot problem and also use state of the art orthotics that should last for several years. Podiatrists will ensure that your orthotics are working perfectly and feeling comfortable for years to come by seeing you back for follow-up visits.